Noise from Right Rear When Cornering

[dfrost]

I'm getting a "whup-whup-whup" noise from the right rear when cornering to the left (putting more load on the right side), doesn't matter how fast/hard I'm cornering. The noise varies with speed and more noticeable going slow (lower frequency "whups"), but it is there at all speeds. The noise tends to go away when driving straight, and there's nothing similar when cornering to the right. I suspect a wheel bearing problem - what do you think?

There's no evidence of anything rubbing on the tire, and no wobble to the wheel when its jacked up. Tires are new (excellent Bridgestone RE960AS with <2000 miles) and were spin-balanced. Nothing in the suspension has been lowered, shocks are Bilstein Touring with Rogue RSM's. Four-wheel alignment was done last December when I had the RTAB's replaced with added Ground Control shims - no noise after that was done.

I'm taking it in next week to my favorite private BMW garage for replacement of Guibo, center driveshaft bearing, trans linkage rebuild, etc. (decided I'd rather not spend a weekend lying on my back with dirt falling on my face, wrestling with the exhaust, driveshaft and transmission linkage). It would be great to have some forum thoughts on what else needs to be fixed.

[Jeron]

I cant think of anything else to do during the driveline work.

You description is a classic wheel bearing description.

[dfrost]

Jeron,

Would you judge that I'm at risk of further damage if I drive moderately for another week with this wheel bearing condition?

Oh yeah, I'm having the U-joints and transmission seals checked, too.

[Jeron]

I'm probably not the best judge but I don't think you will damage any other parts if it is the wheel bearing. You might get stranded though, but I suspect the noise will increase before it fails.

The selector rod seal is the most common seal failure on the tranny but it will drip if its bad. At 160k its probably been replaced once. Will they replace it or just put a new one in on top of the old?

[dfrost]

Thanks for your opinion, Jeron. I promise that I won't send you the towing bill if I get stranded in the next week. The noise is gradually getting louder (and more noticeable when going straight), but thanks to car-pooling I should be able to restrict driving to <200 miles until it gets in for service.

BTW, I noticed that "101 Projects..." describes the wheel bearing replacement for the E30, but not E36. Is the job similar?

I looked back through the service records and see that the transmission was "resealed" at 91k. Don't know which approach the shop will use for the selector rod seal, but I will remember to ask. Do you have a recommendation?

[Jeron]

I couldn't get my selector rod seal out so I had to push a new one on over it. It works fine but I wonder how much room there is for new seals. It's like putting a new roof over the old, at some point you'll have to pull them both off.

I've heard the E36 is tougher to do but the E36 bearings are also larger and last longer. I've seen a writeup on it. I think it was in this forum.