Squeaky rattle when turning right

Scuzi · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:08

For the past week, every time I turn right at low-ish speeds, i.e. larger turns on the wheels, there is a squeaky rattle that comes from the front left of the car, I can't tell if it's coming from just behind the glovebox or from further down but that's the general area. When the wheel straightens out, the noise disappears. It doesn't happen when turning left.

Since it began last week it has progressively become louder.

Car is a 2007 BMW 330d Sport.

A friend mentioned that it could be a wheel bearing. I thought a failing wheel bearing would produce more of a grinding noise?

Thanks

Reality Bites · 22 Feb 2013 at 19:47

If it was the bearing you would also get a groan noise when driving straight. When at the front, that would get louder depending which way your turning and which one has failed. When one of my bearings went last year it failed that badly that the disc was rubbing against the caliper, that was my squeaky noise.

Is it just turning one way or both? Where's your power steering pump?

blueboy2001 · 22 Feb 2013 at 19:58

Sounds like a CV joint. Run it around a car park or something on full lock and listen for noises.

Wang · 22 Feb 2013 at 20:46

blueboy2001 said:
Sounds like a CV joint. Run it around a car park or something on full lock and listen for noises.

I may be making myself look a complete fool, but as I understand, a RWD car will not have a cv joint on the front wheel.

blueboy2001 · 22 Feb 2013 at 21:18

Of course you're right, it won't! Won't have one on the rear wheels either! My other thought was a driveshaft!

Must be steering or suspension then. Possibly a top mount.

mrgubby · 22 Feb 2013 at 22:48

Had a similar thing years ago, it was a stone trapped near the top of a shock spring. It only rubbed when the car was turning.

Participant · 22 Feb 2013 at 23:19

Does its frequency increase with speed?

-westy- · 22 Feb 2013 at 23:38

blueboy2001 said:
Of course you're right, it won't! Won't have one on the rear wheels either! My other thought was a driveshaft!

Must be steering or suspension then. Possibly a top mount.

It'll have a CV joint on the rear too

I have this noise too, my thinking was top mount.

MOOGLEYS · 23 Feb 2013 at 01:23

Suspension strut bearing would be my starting point.

cjgardens · 23 Feb 2013 at 09:05

I'm no expert but I've had a wheel bearing done on my van and it's a knocking noise when turning, started off knocking when turning left then after 8 months left and right so good got it changed,

Edit, the faster you go the faster it knocks

pepsilol · 23 Feb 2013 at 09:20

Greasing arb bushes is where I'd go. And the the drop links.

Scuzi · 23 Feb 2013 at 10:20

So.... it could be one of a million things

The frequency stays constant regardless of speed. The noise sounds like it comes from within the dash - although it doesn't but it certainly sounds like the source is close to the cabin.

Thanks for the ideas so far, I'll go have a look to see what I can find.