Since Monday, and pretty much suddenly, my car's started making a knocking / whining / grinding sound when moving at speed. It's not up to the gearbox, the pitch is fairly constant and really loud between 60 and 70mph.

It seems to be more noticeable when slowing down, (but not brake related), and I think it's on the front left side - if I'm doing, say 60 and go round a left hand bend, the noise pretty much goes away, but if I go right, it tends to amplify, so I'm wondering it's something from the front left drive shaft, wheel bearing, etc.

I also hear a slight clunky sound when moving at a walking pace - idle in 1st gear.

I'm hoping to get a look at it this weekend...

Initially, I was thinking of a wheel bearing, but the clunky noise at slow speed and the lack of pitch-related-to-speed makes me think it's something else.

Any pointers? Chris (thanks mate! ) has suggested possibly a drive shaft linkage bearing (I'm guessing pivot point near suspension strut).

Check the easy things first. Disc splash plates, for a stone stuck in there, or even too close to the disc, they can get bent out of shape very easily. Caliper bolts tight, enough meat left on the pads.

After that, wheel bearings, CV joints.

If you're really stuck, can you get it on a ramp or axle stands and check it then?

Hoping to have it on a proper lift this weekend to have a look - need to change my koni FSDs, one of them has failed :(

Sorted it out.

Rather scarily, I figured it out this morning after driving into work where it became worryingly bad - a wheel bolt was missing :eek: and then when I checked the remaining four, they were all loose :eek: :eek: So the wheel was not secure against the hub and causing all kinds of vibration. The braking also suffered.

Once tightened up, the noise has gone and everything appears to be back to normal. Will pick up a 5th bolt tomorrow

Phew. The last time the wheel was off was a good month or two ago when I changed some discs / pads. Strange that they seem to have come loose over a period of time. I can only think I didn't do a full torque tightening when putting the wheels back on Lesson learnt!

Ok now that could of ended very badly mate lol glad you got it sorted though! Hope it didn't cause any further damage

Depending on how lose it was, you may want to think about replacing all the bolts?

Yikes, been a while since I've heard of a missing wheel bolt.

i think it does mention in the manual to re-check the wheel bolts after so many miles of driving

glad there wasn't an "incident" with a wheel coming off at speed

and as above , might be a good idea to replace the other bolts on that wheel

oh and you have checked the other wheels for security too

It would be a good idea to replace all those wheel bolts now

Always put wheels on using a torque wrench,that way it is not over or under tightened. I know its a pain borrowing one ,or you not knowing where you put it,but it is worth it giving you peace of mind.

Sorted it out.

Rather scarily, I figured it out this morning after driving into work where it became worryingly bad - a wheel bolt was missing :eek: and then when I checked the remaining four, they were all loose :eek: :eek: So the wheel was not secure against the hub and causing all kinds of vibration. The braking also suffered.

Once tightened up, the noise has gone and everything appears to be back to normal. Will pick up a 5th bolt tomorrow

Phew. The last time the wheel was off was a good month or two ago when I changed some discs / pads. Strange that they seem to have come loose over a period of time. I can only think I didn't do a full torque tightening when putting the wheels back on Lesson learnt!

Same thing I had after an enthusiastic day at Hullavington :eek: I also had to have a driveshaft re-packed afterwards too.

I've had a look at the bolts, and they seem ok. I have my torque wrench and have checked they're all ok