[ojonathanx]

I have a 2006 325xi w/ 120K on it. All scheduled maintenance was performed by the dealer to date.

Here is the issue. I am getting this weird chirping sound from the front wheel area and it seems to be on the left side. I put the car in drive and between 5-15mph I start hearing the chirp. It goes away when I get above 15mph, It comes back when I slow down and the gear ratio drops down into 2nd or 1st gear without my foot on the brake or accelerator. Once I get below 5mph, it seems to go away entirely. I never hear the sound when i am in reverse.

This issue is totally perplexing. I called the dealer service department and they had no idea what the sound could be. I cant feel any performance or drive-ability issues at all. Frankly, had i not had my windows down i never would have noticed its that subtle of a sound.

All I know is that it sounds more like a bird chirp than anything else and it definitely gets faster and slower in conjunction with my wheel rotation. the noise is not present at all when in neutral and i rev the engine up or just let it idle.

Does anyone have any ideas? After the recent unexpected water pump & thermostat failure only 2 months ago, I'm not looking forward to another major bill right before the holidays.

[BOSSBMW]

wheel bearing?

[Eko]

I have the same issue on my 08 335xi

[335(EX)(EYE)]

me to what the heck is the problem it almost sounds like if u put a baseball card in a bike, but not as loud. PLEASE ADVISE PEOPLE

[stratplaya06]

I used to get a ton of noise during low speed parking lot maneuvers, and was even looking at replacing the transfer case with one out of a wrecked car. Thankfully I bought a bottle of new fluid from the dealership and tried that first. The thing is SILENT and very smooth at low speeds now. You really would not believe the difference.

FWIW I changed the fluid at 60k (easy DIY job), which is 35k early according to BMW. Lifetime fluids my ass...I am now about 10 miles shy of 70k on the car, still completely smooth and silent.

[fdriller9]

I doubt it's the wheel bearing. Failing wheel bearings will make a rattle (like marbles in a can) sound or a grinding noise.

OP, I would jack the front of the car up and rotate the wheels forward...the front wheels spin freely when the car is off. See if it has anything to do with the braking system. While you're at it check for wheel bearing play. Have your hands at 12 and 6 oclock and push and pull, alternating top and bottom. Do the same at 3 and 9 oclock. See if there is any play. It will move ever so slightly if it's bad.

Also while the car is up, turn your wheels side to side and see if the power steering pump makes noise.

You can also look into the diff and trans fluid but when those are low it makes a whurring sound, not really a chirping sound.

[rtgirard]

OP: when you're moving at the right speed to produce the sound, does the sound go away if you apply the brakes?

[335_MI6]

Originally Posted by stratplaya06

I used to get a ton of noise during low speed parking lot maneuvers, and was even looking at replacing the transfer case with one out of a wrecked car. Thankfully I bought a bottle of new fluid from the dealership and tried that first. The thing is SILENT and very smooth at low speeds now. You really would not believe the difference.

FWIW I changed the fluid at 60k (easy DIY job), which is 35k early according to BMW. Lifetime fluids my ass...I am now about 10 miles shy of 70k on the car, still completely smooth and silent.

I have this too, what fluid did you buy?