Random noise when driving - similar to stone in tyre or something || Updated

kombisnaps

T6.1 Kombi
VIP Member
T6 Guru
Okay so at a loss for what is making a noise and just wanted to know if anyone else is similar.

Got a ticking / buzzing noise - only heard when window down or say 70mph on motorway outside lane (sound bouncing back) on van.

It sounds almost like a stone in tyre, but have checked everything and no dice - also no obvious cables fouling anything / nothing visible. Has anyone ever had something like this?

Up to 20mph you can't hear it - only above. So has to be something being fouled, then at speed getting louder?


Thanks in advance - have guess its something to do with brakes / drivetrain / something underneath?
 
Had an investigate today and front wheel arch liners were loose on the front clips - maybe they've been flapping around at higher speeds.

Will see on next outing. Just updating for info if someone gets similar.
 
Update out of tiredness.

So refitting arch liners took the noise away (somewhat) - is still an apparent noise I can hear that’s winding me up so I think something else is also loose somewhere etc.

Tested coasting in neutral with engine off and still there - so isn’t engine noise etc.

Anyone got any ideas? Could it be brake disc related at all etc? Like a caliper plate? Thinking of simple things I can check.

Pretty sure not tyres - cooper att’s at 45psi / no stones etc

TIA
 
Have you tried jacking up each corner individually and giving the wheels a spin to see if you can identify the offending corner (if it is one)?
 
I had a similar scenario with a weird noise that sounded like a stone in the tyre, turned out to be a loose centre cap rattling about as I drove.
 
Have you tried jacking up each corner individually and giving the wheels a spin to see if you can identify the offending corner (if it is one)?
Yeh had a good look on all corners - also around the wheels incase of any debris catching. No joy.
 
I had a similar scenario with a weird noise that sounded like a stone in the tyre, turned out to be a loose centre cap rattling about as I drove.
That’s a shout - haven’t checked them. Will give them a wiggle to see
 
noise still there and noise still loud - driving me mad

Now with video - see here!!!

Took wheel off for a proper look but everything is tight / everything looks fine

Had it in to a garage and they can’t see anything - is wild. Any thoughts? Definitely slows with rotation - can’t see any marks on arch liners.


Video - IMG_8773

IMG_8766.webp

IMG_8767.webp

IMG_8772.webp

IMG_8771.webp

IMG_8770.webp
 
Clicking is often a sign of CV failure. Plenty of vids out there to help you work out if is and then which side.
 
Clicking is often a sign of CV failure. Plenty of vids out there to help you work out if is and then which side.
Thought this but no clicking when spinning up on jack, no clicking on turns etc - just kicks in at higher speeds. Mechanics didn't think so either.
 
Thought this but no clicking when spinning up on jack, no clicking on turns etc - just kicks in at higher speeds. Mechanics didn't think so either.
CV joint testing isn't done jacked up though, usually full lock in a car park driving in a circle slowly etc etc worth investigating as it's not the most expensive job
 
CV joint testing isn't done jacked up though, usually full lock in a car park driving in a circle slowly etc etc worth investigating as it's not the most expensive job
Yeh you're right.
I'm going to put a camera rigged on the subframe or something tomorrow and go for a pootle and see what it picks up. Will make sure to have it by CV's as well
 
I’d be inclined to swap the front wheels (n/s to o/s) and see if the noise flips sides. You’d then know if it’s the running gear or the wheel/tyre. If the wheel, you’d narrow it to the tyre or a wheel weight or even a bit of the carcass or debris inside the tyre. (I’ve had that before).
If you’ve done this apologies but just a thought.
 
After chatting to a load of people and making sure not tyres, it seems it’s fairly common for dimpled discs to make this sound as they go through pads.

Just surprised by how loud it is. Will be checking the brake system isn’t too pressured and no pads / callipers are sticking, and then will make a decision to stick or go back to plain discs.

Mental they can be so loud!!!!
 
Well i would say definitely not cv joint , or because the brake discs are drilled.
Have you checked for wheel bearing play ?
Jack up , grab wheel at 12 and 6 , check for play.
Over the years I have changed wheel bearings with play in them , which rumbled, ticked , one was even silent but had failed !
 
No wheel bearing play - had bearings checked in garage etc and nothing wrong with them.
Checked all wheels - no play and no noise from the bearings. CV's good, links good, shafts fine, liners fine.


Also no noise inside - can only hear when windows down. If bearings you'd expect to hear it inside cabin as it resonates through drive shafts etc
 
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