Noisy Rear End

[AdieL]

I've been noticing more and more lately a whinning/whisling/rubbing noise which seems to be coming from the back end. I,ve had the pads out and they are not worn out yet but have done 13500 miles. The back wheel does not have excess play in it. After a run out today the FD unit was quite warm and the back disc was pretty hot to touch, far more so than the front ones. When I span the back wheel there was certainly more noise and disc drag than when cold.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is it just a case of replacing the pads or is something out of adjustment? Bike was only seviced 1500 miles ago. Any help appreciated.
Adrian

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

On the down side I wouldn't say play at the wheel was a sure fire way to diagnose a FD problem more a wheel bearing problem that could lead to an FD problem.
On the upside by the sounds of it I think you need to clean the rear calliper and replace the pads if you think they are low. I dont know how much you use the back brake or if you have linked brakes but going by my bike the back disk being much hotter than the fronts is wrong so at the least I would say you have a binding rear calliper.

 

[Slowdown]

Take the rear caliper off - then you'll know if its the caliper or the FD bearings that are making the noise

 

[patzx12]

Yes, with the pads pushed back and make sure nothing is rubbing spin the wheel. The bearings should be completly silent.
If there is noise or roughness change the FD oil, the condition of this will confirm the condition of the FD.
The pinion bearing could be knackered without showing any play in the wheel.
It would not be safe to keep riding if the FD is faulty it will grind itself to destruction.
I have a detailed thread on my FD.

 

[Toad]

Funny - my wife has been complaining about the exact same thing for a number of years......

 

[STUBBS]

i suffering from this this afternoon to much fine french wine and cheese after yesterdays little trip

 

[AdieL]

Thanks guys, when I had the pads out I didn't try pushing the pistons back a bit or even spinning the wheel with the pads out so I'll do that tomorrow. Bike has linked brakes and I dont use the back much.
It's a noisy rear end not a smelly one!

 

[AdieL]

Right, I've had the pads out, the wear is a bit uneven, the inner one is worn more than the outer one. I've spun the wheel and there is still a rubbing noise, not constant but one rub per revolution of the wheel. The noise is not so pronounced now because the pads are not now rubbing on the disc in the same place. I've lifted the caliper off completely and no change, still this slight rub. It does seem that something is out of alignment.
By the way I did ask the dealer to check this out for me a few days ago when the bike was in for something else but they could find no problem. I am constantly though bothered by it when riding and I can hear it most between 40 and 50 mph.

 

[patzx12]

Do the oil change, the oil should be clean and a golden colour, if it is contaminated then you have bearing issues.

 

[Pukmeister]

My 2004 bike with ServoABS was similar I also noticed that the rear disk was warm after riding, I believe the linked brakes on my bike were quite heavy with the rear pads. I also had uneven pad wear despite regular cleaning and checking of the piston and floating pin.

I fitted an aftermarket Galfer rear disk as the BMW item was as weak as chocolate and also fitted a new splined alloy disk carrier/hub flange (due to cracking).

Inspect the alloy fingers of the disk carrier for cracking where the disk bolts penetrate it, this would lead to disk misalignment and disk wear or noise.

The rear bevel drive should not be noisy but you may hear some noise from the rear driveshaft inside the swingarm as it has hardy-spicer joints and not constant-velovity joints so will have a slight 'tight-loose-tight' feel to it as it rotates.

 

[RickG]

The rear bevel drive should not be noisy but you may hear some noise from the rear driveshaft inside the swingarm as it has hardy-spicer joints and not constant-velovity joints so will have a slight 'tight-loose-tight' feel to it as it rotates.

Yeah, possibly, but even if you could feel it you'd get the loose tight experience about 8 times per revolution of the wheel wheras this dude says he's feeling a rub once per wheel rev which points to a wheel related issue.

 

[AdieL]

Do the oil change, the oil should be clean and a golden colour, if it is contaminated then you have bearing issues.

I'm a bit reluctant to do this yet as FD oil was replaced at last service(1500 miles ago) and I noticed the noise at least 1000 miles ago, but its the usual story, you don't know if you are imagining it at first. I've also got the FD with drain plug on the side rather than the bottom which makes it a little more difficult. If I really think its the FD then it will be back to the dealers as I've got extended warranty.
I would add that when I hear the rub there is also a slight resistance to the wheel turning. Its very difficult to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from but it seems a bit louder when my ear is placed under the FD.

 

[AdieL]

My 2004 bike with ServoABS was similar I also noticed that the rear disk was warm after riding, I believe the linked brakes on my bike were quite heavy with the rear pads. I also had uneven pad wear despite regular cleaning and checking of the piston and floating pin.

I fitted an aftermarket Galfer rear disk as the BMW item was as weak as chocolate and also fitted a new splined alloy disk carrier/hub flange (due to cracking).

Inspect the alloy fingers of the disk carrier for cracking where the disk bolts penetrate it, this would lead to disk misalignment and disk wear or noise.

The rear bevel drive should not be noisy but you may hear some noise from the rear driveshaft inside the swingarm as it has hardy-spicer joints and not constant-velovity joints so will have a slight 'tight-loose-tight' feel to it as it rotates.

I'll check the disc as you suggest but even with the caliper removed I've got the same noise but to a lesser extent. When cold with the caliper in place, when you spin the wheel the pads were rubbing in one place per revolution. When ridden the rub was worse and the disc hot. I'll get back to you.
Adrian

 

[cherokee]

If it was mine

Id be straight back to the dealer tell em the prob,show them the prob,then tell em to sort it,when your warranty is out and the FD goes bang im guessing thats gonna be a big chunk of cash to fix.............

 

[patzx12]

If yo have an extended warranty you are sorted, its just convincing them that a problem is developing may require a bit of negotiation

 

[AdieL]

Checked the disc as suggested, all appears o.k. Wheel and disc fastenings all tight. The rub lasts for about 1/4 of a turn of the wheel.
You are right, I'm going to have to go back to the dealer with it but I've allready had a massive row with them about quality of work. Thats why I decided to have a look at it myself. I can see it now, 'Oh Christ, here comes that miserable b.....d again!' But here goes, once more into the breach!
Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Toad]

Checked the disc as suggested, all appears o.k. Wheel and disc fastenings all tight. The rub lasts for about 1/4 of a turn of the wheel.
You are right, I'm going to have to go back to the dealer with it but I've allready had a massive row with them about quality of work. Thats why I decided to have a look at it myself. I can see it now, 'Oh Christ, here comes that miserable b.....d again!' But here goes, once more into the breach!
Thanks for your help guys.

Try a different dealer?

 

[AdieL]

Forgot to ask, does the FD normally get quite hot, I've never checked it before?. When I felt it after the last ride it was hot but not as hot as the cylinder head.

 

[elefantman]

just a thought but have you checked if there is any oil in it?

 

[teamwimp]

check that it's not the tyre rubbing on something - unlikely but worth a look