Deep rumbling sound from car...

BigAde · 13th February 2017, 14:01

This is a really difficult one to try to describe, I suspect that this could go nowhere, but worth a shot I feel.

So... the car has suddenly started with a deep rumbling sound coming from the car while driving. It's most apparent at speeds of 25 mph or higher and at certain speeds seems to disappear almost altogether. The car otherwise seems to drive completely as normal. The noise doesn't seem to be coming from any particular place... but then low notes are particularly hard to place. My first thought was exhaust... which stands to reason as the outer skin on the back box has been corroding away for some time now. However, I'd say that it doesn't sound like a typical blowy exhaust type sound. It also doesn't seem to make the noise while revving the car while stationery.
Next thought was wheel bearing, but it doesn't sounds quite like that either and I'd hear that at lower speeds.

Any other possibilities I should be considering?

I'm getting some quotes on stainless exhausts anyway, as there's no doubt that that will need doing at some point anyway.

JoeMc · 13th February 2017, 14:13

Deep rumbling to me, straight away, points to wheel bearings!

I'd get a look at them; jack each corner up and give the wheel a spin... You'll soon hear which one may be on its way out...!

max1 · 13th February 2017, 14:15

Is the noise at a particular amount of rev,s, about 1800?

I notice yours is a tourer, there is a well known problem with the tourer,s with the head lining coming away from the roof panels.
When driving and the noise starts, lift your left hand and press the roof lining, see if that stops it.

BigAde · 13th February 2017, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by max1

Is the noise at a particular amount of rev,s, about 1800?

I notice yours is a tourer, there is a well known problem with the tourer,s with the head lining coming away from the roof panels.
When driving and the noise starts, lift your left hand and press the roof lining, see if that stops it.

Not really at any amount of revs that I can work out, no. I'll take her out later and give that a try.

BigAde · 13th February 2017, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMc

Deep rumbling to me, straight away, points to wheel bearings!

I'd get a look at them; jack each corner up and give the wheel a spin... You'll soon hear which one may be on its way out...!

You could be right... however I've always known wheel bearings to go gradually and I recall hearing them at lower speeds too. That said, that sounds like a pretty good suggestion re jacking them up... I'll give that a shot later if enough daylight left.

Which reminds me... I've recently also heard a squeaking from the suspension from the rear offside wheel... for example if I rock the car from side to side while stationery, there's a squeaking from that offside rear. Maybe completely unrelated of course.

Ravinder · 13th February 2017, 15:06

Not always easy to spot, even with jacked up. I can't hear anything with wheels turning when in the air but when on the ground, I can too hear a deep rumble, especially at lower speed. I'm fairly certain it's wheel bearings on mine.

DMGRS · 13th February 2017, 15:15

Another vote for wheel bearings - but check it's not tyre noise by swapping each wheel out in turn for a spare.

If it's bearings, we have a decent selection - I'd only recommend going for genuine MG or MGR, as cheaper aftermarket items tend to give ABS issues (the magnetic rings for the ABS are built into the bearings themselves).

Front: Front Wheel Bearing - 75/ZT
Rear: Rear Wheel Bearing - 75/ZT

BigAde · 13th February 2017, 15:36

Thanks guys... appreciate all the responses... that's why I love this forum.

Still say it doesn't sound like your average wheel bearing... but then I've never had a bearing go on a car as heavy as this one... so it's suspect number one. Tried recording the noise, but it's too low to be picked up by my phone's microphone.

When I take her out later, I'll try listening to the noise (usually best heard when coasting) as I go around left and right corners... that may confirm.

bonny · 13th February 2017, 16:49

Had the same thing and was convinced it was a wheel bearing but changed the tyres and rumbling gone.

BigAde · 13th February 2017, 16:57

Shouldn't be the tyres.
Michelin Alpin A4 on the front (5 years old, but 4mm+ of tread left)
Continental TS850 on the back (2 year olds, 6mm+ tread)
I'd certainly be very surprised if that were the case.
I could swap over to my summer wheels I suppose and see if the noise goes away... but that's a fair amount of faff.

13th February 2017, 14:01	#1
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Deep rumbling sound from car... This is a really difficult one to try to describe, I suspect that this could go nowhere, but worth a shot I feel. So... the car has suddenly started with a deep rumbling sound coming from the car while driving. It's most apparent at speeds of 25 mph or higher and at certain speeds seems to disappear almost altogether. The car otherwise seems to drive completely as normal. The noise doesn't seem to be coming from any particular place... but then low notes are particularly hard to place. My first thought was exhaust... which stands to reason as the outer skin on the back box has been corroding away for some time now. However, I'd say that it doesn't sound like a typical blowy exhaust type sound. It also doesn't seem to make the noise while revving the car while stationery. Next thought was wheel bearing, but it doesn't sounds quite like that either and I'd hear that at lower speeds. Any other possibilities I should be considering? I'm getting some quotes on stainless exhausts anyway, as there's no doubt that that will need doing at some point anyway.

13th February 2017, 15:06	#6
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	Not always easy to spot, even with jacked up. I can't hear anything with wheels turning when in the air but when on the ground, I can too hear a deep rumble, especially at lower speed. I'm fairly certain it's wheel bearings on mine. __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

13th February 2017, 15:15	#7
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	Another vote for wheel bearings - but check it's not tyre noise by swapping each wheel out in turn for a spare. If it's bearings, we have a decent selection - I'd only recommend going for genuine MG or MGR, as cheaper aftermarket items tend to give ABS issues (the magnetic rings for the ABS are built into the bearings themselves). Front: Front Wheel Bearing - 75/ZT Rear: Rear Wheel Bearing - 75/ZT __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

13th February 2017, 14:13	#2
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	Deep rumbling to me, straight away, points to wheel bearings! I'd get a look at them; jack each corner up and give the wheel a spin... You'll soon hear which one may be on its way out...!

13th February 2017, 14:15	#3
max1 Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer cdt Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 176 Thanks: 51 Thanked 57 Times in 39 Posts	Is the noise at a particular amount of rev,s, about 1800? I notice yours is a tourer, there is a well known problem with the tourer,s with the head lining coming away from the roof panels. When driving and the noise starts, lift your left hand and press the roof lining, see if that stops it.

13th February 2017, 15:36	#8
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Thanks guys... appreciate all the responses... that's why I love this forum. Still say it doesn't sound like your average wheel bearing... but then I've never had a bearing go on a car as heavy as this one... so it's suspect number one. Tried recording the noise, but it's too low to be picked up by my phone's microphone. When I take her out later, I'll try listening to the noise (usually best heard when coasting) as I go around left and right corners... that may confirm.

13th February 2017, 16:49	#9
bonny Regular poster ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Surrey Posts: 87 Thanks: 20 Thanked 37 Times in 26 Posts	Had the same thing and was convinced it was a wheel bearing but changed the tyres and rumbling gone.

13th February 2017, 16:57	#10
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Shouldn't be the tyres. Michelin Alpin A4 on the front (5 years old, but 4mm+ of tread left) Continental TS850 on the back (2 year olds, 6mm+ tread) I'd certainly be very surprised if that were the case. I could swap over to my summer wheels I suppose and see if the noise goes away... but that's a fair amount of faff.