Need some help.
Car -- s40 T5 6 spd 150k FWD

Started making a ticking noise coming from the front or middle of under car. It is relative to speed as it gets faster with speed.
Noise is present at all speeds clutch in or out, any gear or in neutral Driving straight or turning.
Only time it disappears is when i accelerate, even just very slightly anywhere from gear 3 and up.

I lifted the car and had it rest just on left and then right front wheel and the noise is still present so i know its not suspension or anything to do with the wheels or brakes.
Thinking its tranny or maybe clutch,

Anybody ever seen anything like this or have any ideas how to troubleshoot it further ?

Thanks for looking.

 

if it were the tranny or clutch/throw out bearing, the pitch would change with gear changes/engine RPM. If it were a wheel bearing or axle, the pitch would change with roadspeed regardless of gear. I'd do a simple test - find a speed where its relatively loud (say 30-40 mph etc). drive in 3rd, then 4th. does it sound the same? Since you say the noise is the same with clutch in or out - it think that rules out the clutch. I'm thinking axle, inner CV joint...

 

thanks for quick reply.

It does sound like it changes a bit depending on gear but not in pitch more in noise level and goes away completely when im over 30mph and just touch the accelelator while in gear.

Also forgot to mention that it is not there when reversing.


I dont think its axles since it happens on both sides..unless both are bad and making exact same noise.

 

If the pitch of the problem doesn't change in different gears, it's got to be something from the axles out (wheel bearings, brakes, etc.).

My bet is axle - they do wear out, and can make any number of odd noises. Not sure why you're sure that there is a problem on both sides - any mechanical noise coupled to the body is going to be impossible to locate definitively because of the speed and amplitude of the way sound travels through the body metalwork.

 

Hi

Im thinking its not the wheels because i raised just one side of the car and put it in gear so just one wheel would spin.
I did it for both sides and the noise is there regardless of which wheel is spinning hence i assume its not the wheels.

 

I think it's likely that if one axle is worn out an noisy, the other one isn't far behind. And lifting it and putting it in gear like you are doing runs the axles at a VERY odd angle (nothing like their "normal position" driving down the road, and could induce noises in an axle that's not really "bad" yet. I suspect that's also very hard on the transmission / "differential" - wouldn't recommend doing it, though would consider lifting BOTH wheels off the ground (a lot easier on the system).