G35x- Clicking/Rattling sound while driving

[LHMW]

Hi,

Driving a 2006 Infiniti G35x 4-door with close to 70k

For a while now I have been hearing a noise coming from what seems like my tires or undercarriage. I only hear sound while cruising between 10mph and roughly 40mph. Any faster and engine muffles noise. I only hear it with windows down, as it is not a loud noise.

I can only explain it as if a piece of plastic is sticking into my wheel spokes. It sounds like a clicking/rattling,....almost like a wheel of fortune spin.

Visually, nothing is hanging under my car or sticking into my wheel spokes.

I mention it to every mechanic, but of course they never hear the sound or find anything.

Any tips as to what it might be would help.

I also hear the road a LOT more than I should be. The "whawhawhawha" on the highway is getting to me. Do i need a balancing? Is there water in the tire?

thanks!

[LHMW]

the noise definitely disappears when im not moving. It does seem to speed up as i accelerate, but its hard to tell. the faster I go the less I hear it bc of the rest of the road noise. On residential streets with the windows down its clear as day.

When i drive on the highway next to the divider, i hear it louder due to the echo off the divider, as well as when other cars pass I hear it echo off the car/its undercarriage

[timmy0257]

is this sound constant? does the tempo speed up with your speed?

does the position of the steering wheel have any effect?

[joe603]

Take a service adviser or a tech on a drive with you to hear the noise. It could be something hitting one of your inner wheels.

[LHMW]

is this sound constant? does the tempo speed up with your speed?

does the position of the steering wheel have any effect?

It does seem to speed up as a drive, but the faster I go with the windows down, the less I can clearly hear the noise.
I hear it best when im driving 10-20mph. The sound stops when I break and come to a stop.

Someone I asked thinks it may be the wheel hub/ hub bearing.

I found this video of a BMW 330i and it sounds like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf3k21QiQxs

[timmy0257]

is this sound constant? does the tempo speed up with your speed?

does the position of the steering wheel have any effect?

It does seem to speed up as a drive, but the faster I go with the windows down, the less I can clearly hear the noise.
I hear it best when im driving 10-20mph. The sound stops when I break and come to a stop.

Someone I asked thinks it may be the wheel hub/ hub bearing.

I found this video of a BMW 330i and it sounds like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf3k21QiQxs

if it speeds up with the vehicle it is related to revvolutions of the wheel or of the engine. is the liner to your fender wells sagging anywhere? is there a pebble stuck in your brake caliper? it is probably something simple like that.

[LHMW]

if it speeds up with the vehicle it is related to revvolutions of the wheel or of the engine. is the liner to your fender wells sagging anywhere? is there a pebble stuck in your brake caliper? it is probably something simple like that.[/quote]

I just had the fender well line replaced on my driver side front tire. It was cracked and hitting the wheel. The passanger side was fine and still is. The sound is definitely related to wheel revolution not engine. The engine purrs nicely when parked, the sound only starts once i start rolling out.

Is checking my brake caliper for a pebble and easy thing to do?

[timmy0257]

honestly, this noise usually creates a squeal. i though that if you had slotted or drilled rotors it may create a click when the pebble hits it. i would take the caliper off so you can thoroughly check. but its unlikely thats what it is unless you have aftermarket rotors that are drilled or slotted.

did this noise start after the fender well liner was replaced? make sure there is still nothing hitting your wheel.

[biggie]

Rock/metal in tire?

[timmy0257]

chimp in the trunk?

its so hard to diagnose these noises on a discussion board.

my dad once replaced the rear end in an old Chevy S-10 pickup two times before he wants diagnosed with tennitus. He thought the rear diff was whining.

[Mudgen]

I'm not clear on why you're not following up on the wheel bearing, since you say it sounds like the BMW Youtube about a bad wheel bearing.

[timmy0257]

I'm not clear on why you're not following up on the wheel bearing, since you say it sounds like the BMW Youtube about a bad wheel bearing.

[kmckis1029]

I just made a simular post in the brake section... I have a the same type of noise, and I remember riding through a pebble parking lot... I'm going to get my rotors and pads checked for debri today.

Thx for the info...

[Mudgen]

I just made a simular post in the brake section... I have a the same type of noise, and I remember riding through a pebble parking lot... I'm going to get my rotors and pads checked for debri today.

Thx for the info...

I'm not clear on why you're not following up on the wheel bearing, since you say it sounds like the BMW Youtube about a bad wheel bearing.

I guess everyone hates Beamers so much they refuse to check wheel bearings even though their G makes a sound exactly like a Beamer with a bad wheel bearing....

[joe603]

Check the exhaust heat shield as well. I had a pebble in mine...

[Mudgen]

[timmy0257]

Check the exhaust heat shield as well. I had a pebble in mine...

daggum pebbles.

[kmckis1029]

I'll get the wheel bearing checked too lol, just everyone is hoping for the simple fix. I pulled my brakes off and did find that a shim was loose, but I still have the noise, but much lighter noise now.

[timmy0257]

ahh. well at least your a bit closer.

[kmckis1029]

Got the car checked... wheel bearings are good. My local mechanic comfirms for me its probably still the pads breaking in my slotted rotor. I'll see in about a week if I'm noise free.

[timmy0257]

Got the car checked... wheel bearings are good. My local mechanic comfirms for me its probably still the pads breaking in my slotted rotor. I'll see in about a week if I'm noise free.

good luck!

[Mudgen]

^And good call on the slotted rotors, Timmy.

[timmy0257]

merely a guess. i popped into an O'Reilly's auto parts on the way to the beach last nite and got some tire shine to keep it fresh and i asked the guy if they can turn slotted or drilled rotors. he didnt know of any reason why they couldnt, but imnot sure. can anyone embellish on that? any problems turning slotted or drilled rotors?

[tollboothwilley]

To the OP - the wheel bearings are a common issue with the age/miles. It is much more common on the AWD models lately as well.

[de2006x]

I have the same issue on passenger side of my 2006 G35x (approx 72k). The dealer practically rebuilt the front end and the noise is still there. I was told that the noise is coming from the frame of the vehicle (the front "Member" is what they called it). They recommended that I have a body shop look at the car. I have an appointment to have the car checked, but I'm not convinced of their diagnosis since the car has never been in an accident. Were you able to solve the problem on your car?

[kmckis1029]

rotors are broken in and i have minimal noise from the rotors, but still noticeable noise when im next to a wall on highway or passing a car...

I wonder if turning brand new slotted rotors early would get rid of the noise completely? and like someone asked can you turn slotted rotors safely?