MG4 Ticking/Rattling Noise Coming From Behind The Steering Wheel

[sherlockmeisida]

Hello, my car is an MG4 Luxury with 21,000 km on it. At 20,000 km, a ticking noise started coming from behind the steering wheel. The noise appears at around 15 km/h and becomes inaudible at 60 km/h. It is definitely not a trim noise; it's a mechanical sound, but I haven't been able to figure out the cause. I took the car to the service center, and they also said it wasn't normal. They removed the lower part of the steering column to inspect it but didn't find anything. Abviously they didn't seem very interested. It's really an annoying sound. Does anyone know what might be causing it?

Edit: Ac is off, i tried regenerative 1,2,3 and one pedal mode and noise is still there. Also glass holder is empty and i insulated passsenger side ventilation under the globebox and front speaker cap under the windshield. I think it's not trim noise. Also I noticed that the sound disappears when I turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left or right at speeds of 15-20 km/h

Here is the video I took this morning.

 

[siteguru]

To be honest, all I could hear was tyre rumble. ?‍

 

[sherlockmeisida]

To be honest, all I could hear was tyre rumble.

The rattle noise can be heard more clearly between the 12-18 seconds of the video.

 

[Macadoodle]

I have an almost identical noise on mine and I have traced it to the driver's side wheel bearing / hub assembly ( right side here in the UK )
It confused me for quite a while but the fact it increased with speed - and yours seems to have the same rhythm - prompted me to jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel. Sure enough, there it was ticking loudly.
It lessens to almost inaudible as ambient temp drops into single figures though

What can you expect from cheap Chinese bearings was my initial thought but they actually use SKF supplied components ?

I have removed the brake caliper and even the wheel speed sensor but the noise was still there, definitely in the bearing assembly itself I think.

 

[Ian Key]

A few thoughts on things to check.
Aero covers
Bonnet stay
Nothing loose under the bonnet
And the old favourite, glasses in the overhead holder.

 

[sherlockmeisida]

I have an almost identical noise on mine and I have traced it to the driver's side wheel bearing / hub assembly ( right side here in the UK )
It confused me for quite a while but the fact it increased with speed - and yours seems to have the same rhythm - prompted me to jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel. Sure enough, there it was ticking loudly.
It lessens to almost inaudible as ambient temp drops into single figures though

What can you expect from cheap Chinese bearings was my initial thought but they actually use SKF supplied components ?

I have removed the brake caliper and even the wheel speed sensor but the noise was still there, definitely in the bearing assembly itself I think.

It seems that our messages have been deleted due to a server issue. I think we have a similar problem with the sound. I also watched your video. Have you ever been to an authorized service? What do they say? Also I noticed that the sound disappears when I turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left or right at speeds of 15-20 km/h. Is it the same for you?

 

[fnegroni]

It could be one of the wheel bolts is loose or overtorqued, causing a distortion in the break assembly, possibly near the fire wall behind the disk.

 

[Ian Key]

It's not the wheel bearing as they hum when they are worn especially at speed and going round corners.

 

[Macadoodle]

It seems that our messages have been deleted due to a server issue. I think we have a similar problem with the sound. I also watched your video. Have you ever been to an authorized service? What do they say? Also I noticed that the sound disappears when I turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left or right at speeds of 15-20 km/h. Is it the same for you?

Have not noticed the noise decreasing when cornering . The noise was not there prior to the 1st year service but I have the second due in December and will see what they say.

Very odd noise, I don't think there can be a major fault within the bearing like one of the balls or races as that would surely lead to failure quite quickly, it's more like the bearing cage or cover is chafing on the rotating components

As I said I stripped the brakes and even the wheel speed sensor from the assembly leaving just the bearing as the only moving part and the clickity clacking was still there.

It does sound like the noise is within the cabin , possibly behind the steering wheel which confused me for a while but if it's increasing in frequency ( clicks per second ) in relation to road speed then I would investigate the hubs.



P.S that's not my video, just one I found on the tube so it's obviously a common ? problem.

 

[kenneth104]

I also have a noticeable noise at around 20km/h. It shouldn't be the bearing. If it is the bearing, it should not disappear as the speed increases.

 

[Submariner]

Unfortunately, I have also been experiencing the same issue on my car (Left Side Drive MG4 Luxury - almost 19.000 km) since a couple of weeks.

All of my findings (clicking kind of noise, frequency IAW speed, audible at speeds 10 - 60 km/h, etc.) are the same.

Regarding the wheel bearing, I hold the same opinion as “Ian Key” and “Macadoodle”, as they would sort of hum rather than make the distinctive clicking sound that I hear clearly.

I have also jacked the car up (just as in “Macadoodle”s video) but have not heard the sound while manually turning the wheel.

The recording below was taken using a sensitive mic. and phone, and I’ve tried to increase the volume a bit to make the sound more distinctive.

Hope we can find a solution because it’s started to drive me nuts…



P.S. The warnings on the screen are irrelevant (low rear tyre pressure indicators resulting from temp. drop last night).

 

[Macadoodle]

Unfortunately, I have also been experiencing the same issue on my car (Left Side Drive MG4 Luxury - almost 19.000 Km) since a couple of weeks.

All of my findings (clicking kind of noise, frequency IAW speed, audible at speeds 10 - 60 Km/h, etc.) are the same.

Regarding the wheel bearing, I hold the same opinion as “Ian Key” and “Macadoodle”, as they would sort of hum rather than make the distinctive clicking sound that I hear clearly.

I have also jaked the car up (just as in “Macadoodle”s video) but have not heard the sound while manually turning the wheel.

The recording below was taken using a sensitive mic. and phone, and I’ve tried to increase the volume a bit to make the sound more distinctive.

Hope we can find a solution because it’s started to drive me nuts…



P.S. The warnings on the screen are irrelevant (low rear tyre pressure indicators resulting from temp. drop last night).

Again, this is EXACTLY the sound I've experienced . Mine was much worse in the summer and very obvious when I spun the drivers side wheel manually.

Have you tried spinning both wheels backwards and forwards ? Maybe yours won't do it while not under load, difficult to say.
These bearings are beginning to show up on ebay, still kinda expensive though.

Very odd noise, I've owned many cars with this type of complete bearing assembly and never experienced this clicking.

Pardon our interruption...

They're held in with 3 x 12mm head 12 point fasteners, quick and easy to change in theory but I'll bet mine will be corroded and bonded to the aluminium hub carrier after 2 scottish winters.

I'm seriously considering just doing the job myself though, taking time off to visit the clueless main dealer isn't really worth saving £100 TBH.

 

[Submariner]

Again, this is EXACTLY the sound I've experienced . Mine was much worse in the summer and very obvious when I spun the drivers side wheel manually.

Have you tried spinning both wheels backwards and forwards ? Maybe yours won't do it while not under load, difficult to say.
These bearings are beginning to show up on ebay, still kinda expensive though.

Very odd noise, I've owned many cars with this type of complete bearing assembly and never experienced this clicking.

Pardon our interruption...

I did actually spin them in both directions and was definitely sure that I would hear the sound, but no. To be honest I still ain't completely convinced that this is from the hub. The sound seems to be coming directly from behind the steering wheel, but noise does obviously spread via transmission.
I hope we will track ASAP...

They're held in with 3 x 12mm head 12 point fasteners, quick and easy to change in theory but I'll bet mine will be corroded and bonded to the aluminium hub carrier after 2 scottish winters.

I'm seriously considering just doing the job myself though, taking time off to visit the clueless main dealer isn't really worth saving £100 TBH.

Waiting desperately for your findings.

 

[kenneth104]

If it is confirmed to be a bearing problem, you can consider asking a mechanic to replace only the bearing, not the entire assembly.
This may be cheaper, and it is easier to find bearing parts that are common to MG4.
Looking forward to your processing results

 

[Macadoodle]

If it is confirmed to be a bearing problem, you can consider asking a mechanic to replace only the bearing, not the entire assembly.
This may be cheaper, and it is easier to find bearing parts that are common to MG4.
Looking forward to your processing results

The bearing has the wheel hub / axle installed with the end flared and clamping force set, impossible to replace just the bearing on this type.

Well, I've ordered one and I'll probably do it over the weekend if I receive it by then, I'll report any success or disappointment

 

[Submariner]

The bearing has the wheel hub / axle installed with the end flared and clamping force set, impossible to replace just the bearing on this type.

Well, I've ordered one and I'll probably do it over the weekend if I receive it by then, I'll report any success or disappointment

Believe me we're all looking forward to hearing your "SUCCESS", please...

Again, this is EXACTLY the sound I've experienced . Mine was much worse in the summer and very obvious when I spun the drivers side wheel manually.

Have you tried spinning both wheels backwards and forwards ? Maybe yours won't do it while not under load, difficult to say.
These bearings are beginning to show up on ebay, still kinda expensive though.

Very odd noise, I've owned many cars with this type of complete bearing assembly and never experienced this clicking.

Pardon our interruption...

They're held in with 3 x 12mm head 12 point fasteners, quick and easy to change in theory but I'll bet mine will be corroded and bonded to the aluminium hub carrier after 2 scottish winters.

I'm seriously considering just doing the job myself though, taking time off to visit the clueless main dealer isn't really worth saving £100 TBH.

Would you please confirm your expression;
"Again, this is EXACTLY the sound I've experienced ..."
Do you also hear the sound as I have recorded from in the car while driving at low speeds, or is it just audible from outside while the wheel is spun manually?
Cheers.

 

[Macadoodle]

Do you also hear the sound as I have recorded from in the car while driving at low speeds, or is it just audible from outside while the wheel is spun manually?

Yes, clicking, ticking sound heard inside the car at low speeds. Tyre and wind noise eventually mask it as speed increases.
I too thought it was coming from behind the steering wheel or somewhere behind the dashboard but then realised that the speed of the clicking increased in relation to road speed.

That's what prompted me to investigate the hubs .

 

[Submariner]

Yes, clicking, ticking sound heard inside the car at low speeds. Tyre and wind noise eventually mask it as speed increases.
I too thought it was coming from behind the steering wheel or somewhere behind the dashboard but then realised that the speed of the clicking increased in relation to road speed.

That's what prompted me to investigate the hubs .

Cheers.

 

[sherlockmeisida]

Guys, I noticed that while driving the car in reverse (I could reach speeds of up to 12-13 km/h), there was no noise. Could you try this as well? If there’s no noise while going backward, I think this shows that the issue isn’t with the wheels or the steering. Maybe the problem is with the gear.

 

[Macadoodle]

I suggest that you find some way of fixing a recording device - go pro or similar- and record the sound in the vicinity of each of the front wheels while you drive.
If nothing is heard, then maybe your problem is not the same as mine. The sound on your uploaded video is almost identical though.