road noise and clutch change

[kbyounger]

Two Questions... 1) Our 330i just started picking road noise in the last several weeks. All the tires are still very good. The front psi is 32, while the rear psi is 38. Any ideas...? 2) Our son's 02 330ci may need a new clutch soon. We are fairly mechanically able... just how challenging is changing the clutch going to be? Thanks much - kbyounger

[tonymiser]

well firstly try lowering the tire pressure.
second ,well after dropping the drive shaft it should be quite easy with the right tools

[kbyounger]

Thanks, what's the recommended tire pressure... ? If you know off hand, is it what's recommended on the tire itself? And are you implying that the drive shaft might be the trickest part of changing the clutch? The "right tools" could be an issue. thanks -

[marti5]

Here you go:

BMW/ Year/ Front /Rear

316i 93 - 98 30 34
316i Coupe 95 - Onwards 30 34
316i - E46 99 - Onwards 26 32
316i Touring Estate 97 - Onwards 30 36
318i 93 - 98 30 34
318i Convertible 95 - 08/98 30 32
318i Convertible 09/98 - Onwards 26 32
318i - E46 98 - Onwards 26 32
318i S Coupe 93 - Onwards 30 34
318i - E46 Touring Estate 99 - Onwards 30 34
318i Touring Estate 97 - 99 30 36
320i 94 - 96 26 32
320i Convertible 95 - Onwards 30 32
320i Coupe 93 - Onwards 30 34
320i Touring Estate 95 - Onwards 30 36
323i 98 - 99 32 38
323i Convertible 98 - Onwards 32 38
323 Ci - E46 Coupe 99 - Onwards 30 36
323i Coupe 95 - 08/98 30 36
323i Coupe 09/98 - 99 32 38
323i - E46 99 - Onwards 32 38
323i Touring Estate 95 - Onwards 30 38
325 Ci - E46 Coupe 00 - Onwards 32 38
325i 94 - 00 30 36
325i Convertible 94 - 00 30 32
325i Coupe 95 - 00 30 36
325i - E46 00 - Onwards 32 38
325i - E46 Convertible 00 - Onwards 32 38
328i Coupe 98 - 99 32 38
318i 95 - 08/98 30 36
318i 09/98 - Onwards 32 38
318 TDs 95 - Onwards 30 34
318 TDs Touring Estate 95 - Onwards 30 36
320 D - E46 00 - Onwards 26 32
320 D - E46 Touring Estate 99 - Onwards 30 36
325i Touring Estate 91 - 00 32 36
325i - E46 Touring Estate 00 - Onwards 34 40
325 TD 94 - 07/98 30 36
325 TD 08/98 - Onwards 30 34
325 TDs 95 - Onwards 30 34
325 TDs Touring Estate 97 - Onwards 30 36
328 Ci - E46 Coupe 99 - Onwards 32 38
328i Convertible 95 - 08/98 30 32
328i Convertible 09/98 - Onwards 32 38
328i - E46 Touring Estate 99 - Onwards 34 40
328i Touring Estate 95 - 99 30 38
330 Ci - E46 Coupe 00 - Onwards 32 40
330 Ci Sport - E46 Coupe 00 - Onwards 36 40
330 D 00 - Onwards 34 40
330 D - E46 Touring Estate 99 - Onwards 36 42
330i SE - E46 00 - Onwards 32 40
330i SE - E46 Convertible 00 - Onwards 32 38
330i SE - E46 Touring Estate 00 - Onwards 36 42
330i Sport - E46 00 - Onwards 36 42
330i Sport - E46 Convertible 00 - Onwards 36 40

As for special tools E-torx spanners and torx sockets, and a normal tool kit should be all you need apart from getting the car 600mm off the floor minimum.

[kbyounger]

Thanks for the pressures... inflated the tires as guided. The road noise is still there and still loud. Any other ideas? thanks -

[marti5]

I have this problem and have even changed the tyres ( new for different New ) with no difference, Ive now put it down to wheel bearings, although they don't wobble when tested, I was informed that bearings can also go without a wobble and make a grinding sound/feel when under braking load or going around a corner/ curve ( I have new calipers /discs& pads), so that only leaves the bearings and this is my next avenue, I have the new ones, its just a matter if when I can get the car off the road to do it as the wife uses it daily and there is no immediate danger.

TIP: Jack the front just off the floor and spin the wheels and see if there's any noise/ same with the rear.

[kbyounger]

Yesterday I jacked up the front end and spun the front tires. There is a very slight noise from the area where the bearings would be heard, but again, its not exactly a loud noise; it almost sounds like a noise you would expect to hear at that location. Driving the car, the sound is certainly like a rubber issue, as the car made the same noise when purchased with extremely worn rear tires. But obviously, all four tires are good now. Driving 40 -50, slightly turning or weaving, changes the sound as well. The wheels did not seem loose when checking the bearings yesterday. If its the tires, I just can't imagine what the issue might be. thanks

[marti5]

Got me stumped there, I do get tyre noise when driving over paved road areas ( bricks as in pic below ), some on asphalt and nightmare on concrete, I would put it down to your tyres then maybe they are soft rubber which would produce noise more than a harder tyre.

[kbyounger]

I'm stumped too. I may have to break down and take it to a tire place that sells and mounts tires on bmw's. But, I don't know what they would look for or see that we haven't. The treads are still plenty deep, no obvious tire wear from a mis-alignment, the noise is not a "thump" like it might be if there were a "bubble" on the tire somewhere... just a loud roaring noise... thanks for the help and the info. kby