Morning all, I picked up my 2006 HSE TD6 FFRR 2 weeks ago and in the last few days it's developed a new noise from the front drivers side.

I know everyone is probably oversensitive to new noises in the first flush of ownership and trying to decide what's normal and what's not, but I'm pretty sure this isn't normal, and it's slightly strange so maybe someone might be able to point me in the right direction or has perhaps come across this before.

As I say, it's coming from the front drivers side wheel and can be heard while moving but doesn't seem to actually be speed related, as in, this the same pretty much as long as I'm moving, anything above about 15/20 kph.

It only comes when turning left which lead me to think it was the right front wheel bearing, but it's a strange noise, not like a normal early bearing drone, it actually sounds more like a sort of crackling, not unlike electrical arcing, doesn't get louder, more pronounced or "quicker" at speed or sharper cornering.

It's not very loud but certainly audible and not there at full lock at low speed like a cv joint.

I haven't jacked it up or removed the wheel yet to check the bearing but it's recently passed the CVRT (MOT), although I know the early signs of bearing or hub failure doesn't always actually show signs of wear or play, but a quick look and shake shows nothing obvious and nothing rubbing.

I also haven't tried swapping wheels around to see if the problem follows, as in tyre problem or noise as I'm not sure this will actually help.

It's got about 117k miles on the clock, service history but only service, no record of other work completed and I haven't checked with the MD to check about any recalls yet.

Also there's no noise from the steering when stationary.

Like I say, it's a little strange do perhaps someone may have some idea before I freeze my gonads off at the weekend doing further investigations.

I'm slowly making my way through the list of normal problems, bluetooth not working, solved by switching it on and pairing the phone....... , although doesn't automatically connect and needs to be paired every time. No window washer spray, new seal on order. Reversing camera not working, this is a work in progress, I have another camera that will fit the housing, just need to figure out the wiring (I've seen the threads) if I can't revive the original. Intermittent air bag light when someone sits in the passengers seat but always goes out after I kick them out and switch off and on again. Nothing obvious after a quick look but points to a wiring problem or perhaps an occupant sensor.
Steering wheel adjustment, seat to desired position and disconnected.

And no, I haven't got an IID tool, yet.

Thanks for the help.

first thing to check is the brake disc protector, a round tin shield on the inside of the disc. The bolts rust away and then it sits loose and makes a horrendous sound.

do a search on here - there's lots of info with cures etc.

Hi, it sounds like it could be the outer CV joint giving way, the way to test whether it is or not is to put the steering on full lock and drive in a circle listening for clicking or as you said a crackling sound.

Try it in both directions and have both front door windows down to assist in the listening process.

Best of luck and regards. ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

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Thanks for the replied guys, the brake disc protector is still firmly in place and seems in good condition with little corrosion but will take a better look later.

I've tried it at low speeds in both directions, forwards and in reverse on full lock and there's no sound at all but the original sound I have isn't like a normal CV clicking, it's not as much of a heavy mechanical sound as a CV, more like a crackling than a clicking, almost like a buzzing.

Sorry, I know sounds are a pain to describe, the closest I can think of is that it's a bit like an electricity pylon transformer on a wet day, it coming up through the drivers foot well when turning to the left only and seems to be the same regardless of speed, anything above 15/20 kph and it's there.

Does it sound like its inside the car? A while ago we had an odd clicking / buzzing noise from the drivers footwell area which came on for a few minutes on startup, turned out it was one of the fan motors giving out and the noise was the fan blades catching on the housing.

Thanks Paul, that's certain worth a look, as I said, it does perhaps sound like it's coming from the drivers foot well so you might be on to something there.

I'm not hearing anything at any other time only when steering to the left but perhaps the lateral force of cornering might be allowing the blades to rub, this would also account for it not seemingly being speed related.

Should be easy enough to check, just a drive with the fan off and listen out.

I did at one stage think it was some sort of rattle or vibration from behind the dash but since I could only get it when cornering I put it down to the front right side.

Thanks for the suggestion......

PaulTyrer wrote:

Does it sound like its inside the car? A while ago we had an odd clicking / buzzing noise from the drivers footwell area which came on for a few minutes on startup, turned out it was one of the fan motors giving out and the noise was the fan blades catching on the housing.

Outstanding Paul, top of the class and top of my Christmas card list.....

I tried it on the way home from work with the fan turned on and off and the short lived mystery is solved.

The bearings in the fan must have some play in them allowing the blades to rub against the housing when cornering so I'll have a look at it over the weekend and think about a solution, easiest is probably just to take a little bit off the blades where they're rubbing.

Thanks again for the idea........