31 90... Front Axle Troubleshooting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 135i, 2009 BMW 135i, and 2008 BMW 135i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

FRONT AXLE TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Fault	Cause	Remedy
Grinding noise (or humming)
IMPORTANT: Tire rolling noises can sound very similar to wheel bearing noises.
Test: Drive car
Noise reduces when cornering Noises increases when cornering to left Noises increases when cornering to left	Most probably a tire problem Right wheel bearing faulty Left wheel bearing faulty	Replace wheels Replace wheel bearings . See 31 21 180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BEARING FOR FRONT WHEEL . Replace wheel bearings . See 31 21 180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BEARING FOR FRONT WHEEL .
Vibration	Wheel imbalance	Balance wheels . See 36 10 508 STATIONARY WHEEL BALANCING .
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check rims , replace if necessary. See 36 10 715 CHECKING RIM FOR FACE AND RADIAL RUNOUT .
	Radial tire runout	Match or replace tires . See TIRES .
Steering-wheel shake	Wheel imbalance	Balance wheels . See 36 10 508 STATIONARY WHEEL BALANCING .
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check rims , replace if necessary. See 36 10 715 CHECKING RIM FOR FACE AND RADIAL RUNOUT .
	Rubber mount of control arm faulty	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Rubber mount of tension strut faulty	Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts . See 31 12 138 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .

Excessive steering wheel play/steering wheel inclination	Refer to 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
Rattling noise	Bolts for reinforcement strut loose	Tighten down bolts (refer to 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS ).
	Bolt for V-strut loose	Tighten down bolts (refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING V-STRUT )
	Bolt connection for diagonal struts loose	Tighten down bolts (refer to 51 61 018 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING DIAGONAL STRUT, FRONT END, RIGHT )
	Bolts for reinforcement plate loose	Tighten down bolts to reinforcement plate
	Bolts for front axle carrier to engine carrier loose	Replace bolts (refer to 51 61 011 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING V-STRUT, FRONT AXLE CARRIER, LEFT OR RIGHT )
	Bolt for spring strut to swivel bearing loose	Replace bolt & nut (refer to 31 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER )
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Rubber mounts for stabilizer bar bracket faulty	Replace both rubber mounts of stabilizer bar bracket . See 31 35 021 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS OF STABILIZER RETAINING FIXTURE ON FRONT AXLE CARRIER .
	Ball joints on stabilizer link(s) worn	Replace both stabilizer links . See 31 35 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT STABILIZER .
Excessive tire wear	Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted	Check suspension components for damage; if necessary, carry out chassis/wheel alignment check . See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .