Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
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Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
The best way to explain the sound with words is as if i had marbles and was grinding them together, but a metallic and deeper sound?
It happens when im driving in any gear and i let go off the accelerator only.
When i hold the clutch down it gets louder and more apparent (you can definitely hear it then).
I drive a Megane CC 2005 petrol manual. It's been going on for a while (3 months)
Trying to sell the car so i wanna get rid of the noise or at least know what it is.
Also, when I'm turning the noise seems to disappear - i've done this with the clutch down as well as not accelerating whilst turning
So again; Clutch down and driving: noise is louder and clearer
no gas and driving: noise is present but quieter
driving with clutch down but braking: no grinding noise
gets faster as i increase speed
rotational grinding, in synch with wheel turning maybe?
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQm--HWQQ0
The video shows two types of grinding noises. the first you hear is when i take my foot off the gas. The second is when i press down the clutch, theres a great difference between them and I'm not sure if my clutch is gone. I've done the 3rd gear test where u accelerate and see if the speed increases with the RPM (successful results)
Gearstick: is normal i guess, sometimes it doesnt go into Reverse gear so I gotta take it out and put it back in (rare and probably just me)
Friend suggested transmission fluid? Where can I check this?
would really appreciate if someone could help.
It happens when im driving in any gear and i let go off the accelerator only.
When i hold the clutch down it gets louder and more apparent (you can definitely hear it then).
I drive a Megane CC 2005 petrol manual. It's been going on for a while (3 months)
Trying to sell the car so i wanna get rid of the noise or at least know what it is.
Also, when I'm turning the noise seems to disappear - i've done this with the clutch down as well as not accelerating whilst turning
So again; Clutch down and driving: noise is louder and clearer
no gas and driving: noise is present but quieter
driving with clutch down but braking: no grinding noise
gets faster as i increase speed
rotational grinding, in synch with wheel turning maybe?
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQm--HWQQ0
The video shows two types of grinding noises. the first you hear is when i take my foot off the gas. The second is when i press down the clutch, theres a great difference between them and I'm not sure if my clutch is gone. I've done the 3rd gear test where u accelerate and see if the speed increases with the RPM (successful results)
Gearstick: is normal i guess, sometimes it doesnt go into Reverse gear so I gotta take it out and put it back in (rare and probably just me)
Friend suggested transmission fluid? Where can I check this?
would really appreciate if someone could help.
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- Currently Drives:: Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet 2005 1.6 16v Petrol
Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
one of the wheels was missing a nut. Put one in and the noise has gone. I'll update after a few days to confirm if this actually solved the problem.
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Blimey! Hope that's the cure 

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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
UPDATE: After tightening the nuts on both the front wheels, the noise would go away for roughly 400m of driving. I tested it the other day. I'm guessing it's got something to do with the wheel. Or maybe the suspension? Any suggestions. I dont want to go to the garage and they over charge me...
Is there any way i can perform tests, like for suspension and wheel.
Also, there is slight play at 3 and 9 o'clock positions on both wheels...
Is there any way i can perform tests, like for suspension and wheel.
Also, there is slight play at 3 and 9 o'clock positions on both wheels...
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
When you say there's slight play, have you got the car jacked up when you're checking this?
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
At a guess your wheel nuts have been lose and now your holes in the alloys are no longer perfectly round so your wheel is actually lose on the bolts.. Even when fully tightened up.. If you get my meaning...
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Yeah thats the kinda conclusion i was coming to... Any remedy suggestions or more tests to make sure that's what it is. Also how i can fix it or what parts and how much. And YES i do have the car jacked up. It would've been hard to move the wheel if it wasn't lool.
Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate any type of responses.
Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate any type of responses.
Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Swap front wheels to back.. Then your grinding will be at the rear...
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Still doesn't eliminate the issue, It is quite an annoying sound. Making it incredibly hard to enjoy a peaceful ride of the sound of my engine. Any other remedies you have to offer?
I could try changing the wheels to the back and see if that solves anything... I'll try that over the weekend and get back to you guys.
Thanks for the replies!
I could try changing the wheels to the back and see if that solves anything... I'll try that over the weekend and get back to you guys.
Thanks for the replies!
Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
If the grinding noise goes to the rear.. You will know that it's you're wheels that are the problem..
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Yeah you're right. Ill move them back asap if they are the problem. What do I replace? The whole wheel?
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
BlackOrnstein wrote:Yeah you're right. Ill move them back asap if they are the problem. What do I replace? The whole wheel?
Yes
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
You could try "wobbly" wheel bolts. Yes they are real!.
They are wheel bolts for aftermarket wheel when the alloy holes don't quite fall into line they have a loose cone on them so the bolt finds the hub but the cone self centers on the wheel rim.
What I find a bit odd with this conversation in the rotational grinding..... a lose wheel generally knocks so when you drive the wheel rocks on the hub lip as road surface changes thus causing knocking the wheel bolts are giving the rim space to do this until they wind out and wheel falls off. Weight of vehicle is actually on the center of the hub on that lip it also keeps the rim central.
Changing wheels to rear will eliminate the rims would not be surprised if grinding stays personally I would be looking at first discs n pads anything stuck in the pads like stones remember renault don't do back plates we had a vw polo in today grinding it was a chipping in the caliper hanger, then wheel bearings a dry bearing braking up can grind, cv joints generally don't grind but knock then you are into diff bearings.
Are you sure its from the front might be worth a pull around on rear wheels cars have a nasty habit of transferring sound guessing its not there when stationary..
You do know its possible to jack one side up (front) axel stand it so it is solid and wont move get someone to sit in car turn off traction control and drive it the wheel off the ground will turn you can listen more intently for the noise just be really careful as many danger aspects to this but it is an excellent way to concentrate on one side rotating at a time you dontneed to rev trollies off it just enough to bring the noise.
They are wheel bolts for aftermarket wheel when the alloy holes don't quite fall into line they have a loose cone on them so the bolt finds the hub but the cone self centers on the wheel rim.
What I find a bit odd with this conversation in the rotational grinding..... a lose wheel generally knocks so when you drive the wheel rocks on the hub lip as road surface changes thus causing knocking the wheel bolts are giving the rim space to do this until they wind out and wheel falls off. Weight of vehicle is actually on the center of the hub on that lip it also keeps the rim central.
Changing wheels to rear will eliminate the rims would not be surprised if grinding stays personally I would be looking at first discs n pads anything stuck in the pads like stones remember renault don't do back plates we had a vw polo in today grinding it was a chipping in the caliper hanger, then wheel bearings a dry bearing braking up can grind, cv joints generally don't grind but knock then you are into diff bearings.
Are you sure its from the front might be worth a pull around on rear wheels cars have a nasty habit of transferring sound guessing its not there when stationary..
You do know its possible to jack one side up (front) axel stand it so it is solid and wont move get someone to sit in car turn off traction control and drive it the wheel off the ground will turn you can listen more intently for the noise just be really careful as many danger aspects to this but it is an excellent way to concentrate on one side rotating at a time you dontneed to rev trollies off it just enough to bring the noise.
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
You will get a little play with gands 9 n 6 oclock its just the rack moving it a bit tricky to spot play here best is to get some to hold steering wheel tight but u r just checking track rod ends, track control arms and rack play in these presents as wandering/lose feel steering/vague steering more interesting would be hands 12 n 6 oclock this checks wheel bearings should be no play
Here you could try spinning the wheel n listening put ur ear next to wheel centre you might pick up grinding but dont mistake it for pad on disc sound. Only other is ball joint but that will just knock on bumps usually. One bolt out of each wheel wont knacker ur rims as long as other three where tight. Wonder if you spotted the nuts gone whilst it was in the air which is why the grinding went for a while try jacking up and letting down again see if it goes that the case u r unsettling suspension ans drive shafts so gearbox oil might be a good suggestion but may be too late could be gearbox bearings you hear if thats thw case only way out really for oil is from drive shafts inboard where they enter g/box.
You need to know weather this noiae is present stationery with engine running and reving up to rpm you hear sound or if it is only present in flight which would indicate clutch , g/box or running gear. Check drive shafts cv boots for splits and signs of grease leakage renault are excellent for cv boot clips poping off could be a naff cv joint but tgey don't usually grind.
Can't think of anything else yet.
Here you could try spinning the wheel n listening put ur ear next to wheel centre you might pick up grinding but dont mistake it for pad on disc sound. Only other is ball joint but that will just knock on bumps usually. One bolt out of each wheel wont knacker ur rims as long as other three where tight. Wonder if you spotted the nuts gone whilst it was in the air which is why the grinding went for a while try jacking up and letting down again see if it goes that the case u r unsettling suspension ans drive shafts so gearbox oil might be a good suggestion but may be too late could be gearbox bearings you hear if thats thw case only way out really for oil is from drive shafts inboard where they enter g/box.
You need to know weather this noiae is present stationery with engine running and reving up to rpm you hear sound or if it is only present in flight which would indicate clutch , g/box or running gear. Check drive shafts cv boots for splits and signs of grease leakage renault are excellent for cv boot clips poping off could be a naff cv joint but tgey don't usually grind.
Can't think of anything else yet.
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Re: Loud 'rotational' Grinding from engine area
Okay so I've read your replies and am trying my best to understand it all (not up to date with car lingo). And I've taken into consideration your advice so I'll act upon in as soon as I can.
What I done yesterday night (in the cold) was move the front wheel (drivers side only) to the back(drivers side also). I think the sound has gone to the back but in not 100% sure. I've tried listening and may have heard it ever so slightly. But I reckon its gone now but it may return. For now I'll drive it around and listen out. If the problem persists ill try something. Else.
Will keep you updated.
Thanks for the replies, garage would've probably charged me ):
What I done yesterday night (in the cold) was move the front wheel (drivers side only) to the back(drivers side also). I think the sound has gone to the back but in not 100% sure. I've tried listening and may have heard it ever so slightly. But I reckon its gone now but it may return. For now I'll drive it around and listen out. If the problem persists ill try something. Else.
Will keep you updated.
Thanks for the replies, garage would've probably charged me ):
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