Moaning wheel noise? Topic is solved

Post by **Eddystone** » 17 Aug 2021, 06:42

My 1999 T5 has an intermittent "moaning" sound similar to the humpback whale song in Star Trek IV.

I seem to hear it most at very low speeds and especially when turning left at the same time. Sometimes it is quite loud, but usually it is absent. Due to the steering connection, I was assuming it was from the front, but my wife says it is from the right rear, and I think she is right. I installed new rotors, pads and ebrake shoes back there a couple of years ago and have had no issues. The brakes work great.

Am I, perhaps, hearing from a caliper that is beginning to seize up? A hub bearing?

Maybe just re-lube the pads?

Car drives extremely nice and very smooth with no issues. Any thoughts?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 17 Aug 2021, 07:55

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Check the brake cables aren't binding.

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Post by **erikv11** » 17 Aug 2021, 07:59

If it's a seizing caliper then the disc will heat up more quickly on that side.

Post by **amblerman** » 17 Aug 2021, 08:25

Does it only happen when turning left?
It doesn't happen when turning right?

turning left will put extra load on the right side of the car. could it be one of the bearings on the right side?

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Aug 2021, 11:06

amblerman wrote: ↑17 Aug 2021, 08:25 Does it only happen when turning left?
It doesn't happen when turning right?

turning left will put extra load on the right side of the car. could it be one of the bearings on the right side?

So I was wondering about this too but then why would it only groan at low speed?

Post by **Eddystone** » 17 Aug 2021, 11:25

erikv11 wrote: ↑17 Aug 2021, 11:06
amblerman wrote: ↑17 Aug 2021, 08:25 Does it only happen when turning left?
It doesn't happen when turning right?

turning left will put extra load on the right side of the car. could it be one of the bearings on the right side?
So I was wondering about this too but then thought why would it only groan at low speed?

Also my thought, however, a lot of these low frequency noises only happen when parts are interfering slowly and a vibration is set up. Could even be a resonant frequency that I pass into and out of. However, it only happens at VERY low speeds and sometimes when I am not turning at all. So far, it is infrequent enough to be hard to duplicate reliably.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if is was that Rube Goldberg emergency brake setup messing up. I guess I'll have to take it apart and look at it. Other more pressing auto repairs at the moment...

Post by **abscate** » 17 Aug 2021, 16:16

THe good news is if it is a wheel bearing it will groan for 10,000 miles before it really needs attention. These are massively overengineered bearings on these cars. Dont forget the innner wheel seal add on for these cars.

Post by **matthew1** » 17 Aug 2021, 18:02

Sounds a lot like a bearing to me. Been there, done that, heard the sound, replaced it with a FAG unit.

Post by **scot850** » 17 Aug 2021, 19:49

Check that the parking brake cable is not rubbing on the inside of the tire. There is supposed to be a plastic tie-back riveted to the trailing arm to keep it out of the way, but it rots and falls off which can allow the cable to touch the inside of the tire.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Aug 2021, 03:37

but my wife says it is from the right rear, and I think she is right.

Always.