rear shock mounts?

[curtis]

if my car makes a sound like spongy rubber from the rear do you guys think that i might need new rear shock mounts?
thanks
curtis

[e9nine]

Visually inspect them. Simply pull the rear trunk lining and take a look.
It could also be your subframe  bushings.

[curtis]

what should i look for? do i check to see if they are loose?
How do i check the subframe bushings?
thanks for the help
curtis

[e9nine]

what should i look for? do i check to see if they are loose?
How do i check the subframe bushings?
thanks for the help
curtis

RSM: When you peel the trunk lining, see if the shock is still "housed" in the mount. Push on the suspension and see if you see any play.

S/frame Bushing: with the car up on a lift, take a look at them or jack the car up on each side, both sides or just get it up on a lift. See if the s.frame mounts allow the subframe to "sag" or if it holds it firm.

G.Luck

[curtis]

so my rear shock mounts are bad, are they hard to replace? they look somewhat easyto me, or am i wrong?
curtis

[dude8383]

so my rear shock mounts are bad, are they hard to replace? they look somewhat easyto me, or am i wrong?
curtis

This is actually quite easy! It takes me about 5-10 min per side.

There should be a write-up floating around somewhere.

[gearheadE30]

I've got a little bit of play in the mounts when I just push down on the rear end, however I don't have the thumping noise from the rear like most...I belive they are the original mts though with 200k on them, so I should probly replace them anyway

BTW I am having a thump in the front though, see my post under "suspension"

[e9nine]

so my rear shock mounts are bad, are they hard to replace? they look somewhat easyto me, or am i wrong?
curtis

A lot of simple guides are outlined for such processes. Here's a link to an article : http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/JF-Tech/BMW_E30_3_Series_Changing_rear_shock_mounts.htm
When you replace the RSMs go with the e46 m3 cabrio RSMs.

I've got a little bit of play in the mounts when I just push down on the rear end, however I don't have the thumping noise from the rear like most...I belive they are the original mts though with 200k on them, so I should probly replace them anyway

BTW I am having a thump in the front though, see my post under "suspension"

It's not easy to replicate suspension noises, it's easier to tackle it from simple to complicated though and the RSMs are easy enough to start off with and seem like they need to be replaced.

Does the noise in the rear only happen when you go over bumps or when you load the driveline? It could also be a diff bushing.

[gearheadE30]

Well, the thing is, I don't have a thump from the rear, even though the RSM's are probly about gone. The thump is more or less under the front floor pan in the footwells. It only appears at very slow speeds and seem to only happen after hitting or coming close to the steering lock. Also, it has never really shown up in reverse, and it drives just fine at higher speeds. I think there is a crossmember loose or something; I just had the car aligned and got new tires.

[curtis]

pelican parts has the e46 shock mounts, and they are all the same for all the e46 cars. are there e46 m3 cabrio specific shock mounts that im am just missing?
thanks
curtis

[mgold]

This is actually quite easy! It takes me about 5-10 min per side.

Besides oil changes, the RSM was the first DIY maintenance I performed on my car.  Its actually easier on cabrios as you don't have to climb into the trunk to reach them, they're under the tonneau cover.