Author Topic: Mystery Rattle (Read 8389 times)

roundel318 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:57:49 PM »

URSM's are famous, but any slight thing on exhaust hardware always makes weird sounds.

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2009, 12:07:26 AM »

my shock-mounts were replaced, still the noise remained.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2009, 12:37:27 AM »

So, I did order swaw bar links and new bushings today. I suspect that will address some of the rattling, however I still something loose around the rear passenger side folding top.

Ramblin man: I hear the ratteling in neutral coasting, no load on the drivetrain and still hear the ratteling if I his rough roads or a bump/pothole.

I'll check out the rear shock mounts before I head out to work tomorrow... :cool:

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #18 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:09:24 PM »

Well I'm interested. I haven't even got to drive my car yet and if I hear noises when I do I want to know where to look first, so keep us updated.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2009, 10:22:49 AM »

O.K. Replaced front and rear swaybar links and sway bar bushings. At 140k the bushings were cracked and soft and the link bushings were all cracked and soft.

After replacement, most of the mystery sounds have disappeared. What's left is what I suspect to be a Rear Shock mount failure on the real passenger side, a few sweeks in the front passenger side suspension and perhaps a loose heat shield.

I also had the exhaust mounts rewelded and a Magnaflow muffler installed. No more exhaust noises except the one I wanted with the Magnaflow...

I have a pair of Meyle RSMs coming in from UUC and will check the other sounds next weekend.

However, compared to how it was sounding over bumps, it is vastly improved. I had to listen hard to hear these last sounds.

The nice thing is that it handles much more solid after the sway bar renewal. Definately worth the time and few $.

Control arm replacements are coming up... :cool:

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2009, 10:39:23 AM »

Don't overlook the shock bushings.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2009, 07:28:50 PM »

Quote from: Ramblin MAn;78084

Don't overlook the shock bushings.

Shock bushings? as in the lower mount in the shock itself? They are about 3 months old, mounted in a pair of new Bilstien HDs. :>) I did preload the shocks before tightening the bolts on the bushings.

The RSMs were listed as OEM, but made in India from the packaging. I don't know BMW OEM part manufacturing had a location there.

Or do you mean the bushings for the upper control arms? If so, yes, I remember those as well. Is there an HD bushing available like the Meyle HDs for the 540i's?

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2009, 08:23:15 PM »

I was talking the lower bushing on the shock itself. A lot of times shocks will still be functionally fine but the bushings are shot. But as you pointed out you shouldn't have that problem.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:09:40 AM »

Yeah, I'm thinking the prominent sound now on bumps and right handed turns is a broken passenger rear shock mount. I have a pair of HD Meyles coming in probably Monday, so either after work or next Saturday I will swap them in.

I figure it may have punched through on a spirited right turn and hitting a pothole or bump. It is a 3 month old OEM mount with both washers in place properly. I recognize the sound from when I did this on my 533i after lowering it and swapping in Bilstien sports... I've read a number of posts after I put the mount and HDs in place how some folks have had issues. Count me in.

Thanks! :cool:

FYI - New Meyle pair of HD RSM replacements. $66 shipped to Cali from ATL with new gaskets, locking nuts and SS reinforcing plates.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #24 on:** September 21, 2009, 11:17:41 PM »

New Meyle RSMs are in and rear noises are now gone. The new drivers side MTC\Ronak RSM had broken after 4 months on new Billy HDs.

Worth the $66 bucks to fix and enjoy the absence of clunks and rattles. :cool:

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #25 on:** September 22, 2009, 08:30:22 AM »

Any pics? or has it been documented to death elsewhere?

loaded · « **Reply #26 on:** September 22, 2009, 11:45:07 AM »

any confirmation from others that this was the problem? I just picked up a '91 318i and it has this same problem. embarrassing yes. I thought it was the heatsheild/busted exhaust hangers as I used to have this problem in college with my '84 VW GTI. The heatshield would come loose and rattle like crazy and the exhaust hangers would snap every six months (I kept spares in my glove box). My 318 is sounding just like that now, but you all are making me thing twice, as I was already sure my shocks are shot and needing replacement.

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #27 on:** September 27, 2009, 08:22:56 PM »

Are those rear shock mounts hard to put in? I think there is some discussion of this on amother board somewhere, but not lots. I have two e30s exhibiting this same issue. Where did you get the Meyle RSMs?

manchuk · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2009, 08:30:16 PM »

check ur rear cv's almost guarentee that the problem and well ur at it change the boot kits while ur at it

DesktopDave · « **Reply #29 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:26:50 PM »

I have a few rattles too. I know the RSMs are bad, I think the 'vert or e36 mounts are firmer than the stockers.

The other thing is a loose e-brake caliper. I know it's that because it goes away when I pull the e-brake lever up a bit. I also have a shot boot, have to swap that half shaft when the weather gets better.