Noise diagnosis primer- "Did you hear that?"

[Choking Hazard]

Lets talk suspension noises.  I've got some --- extra ---- sounds coming from my car, how about yours?  I've read about these but would like some confirmation.  Here is the extent of my knowledge:
1)  Clunking when shifting, sounds from rear end when starting off in 1st or reverse, and maybe 1st to 2nd too indicates rear subframe bushings (worst case) or diferential mount bushing (much easier).
2)  Clunking over bumps from the front is what I've got.  I think it is ball joints, but it may be the suspension attachment bushing.
I also wonder what may be the downside of putting off the corrective action.

What is the learned concensus?

[Eurospec]

I'm experiencing something similar to #1. Mine however is more of a thump when I engage the clutch.

[kowalski]

check your diff bushing, and the bumps will be your rear shock mounts. chances are most of the bushings in your car are shot after 15 years...

[KidneyBoy]

I have a good one that i cant hunt down. Rattle/thudding only under hard right turns. Sounds to me from the drivers seat that its in the front, then my friend in the pass seat claimed to hear it from the front as well but my other friend who was out back said it was in the rear pass side. I cannot think of what it would be, but my guess is the exhauts somehow moving around in all places. However there is preacticly nothing in the pass rear that would make the noise and i ahve no adverse handeling issues to speak of.

[hamann318is]

I have a squeek coming from the rear passenger side. I can lube the TA and it stops, but only for a while.

[bmwman91]

I would say #1 is a guibo personally.  Whenever I engaged/disengaged the clutch I would get a loud clunk/rattle.

If you get bad clunking in corners, it would also be a sign of shot subframe bushings.  They are a real pain to do, but well worth replacing, even with stockers if they are shot.  I personally recommend polyurethane as it is FAR easier to install (no pressing needed), and the car will feel sooo much better (and a little louder).

*clink* $.02

[kowalski]

I would say #1 is a guibo personally.  Whenever I engaged/disengaged the clutch I would get a loud clunk/rattle.

If you get bad clunking in corners, it would also be a sign of shot subframe bushings.  They are a real pain to do, but well worth replacing, even with stockers if they are shot.  I personally recommend polyurethane as it is FAR easier to install (no pressing needed), and the car will feel sooo much better (and a little louder).

*clink* $.02

+1 i fully recomend the urethane subframe bushings. its not that much louder after? maybe thats cause i have a straight pipe on right now.... which is going to be changed todaY!:)

i get a similar clunk but only some times, i looked at my diff bushing and its very much shot... i'm gona order a new one soon.

[Eurospec]

i get a similar clunk but only some times, i looked at my diff bushing and its very much shot... i'm gona order a new one soon.

I'll have to take a look at my diff bushing.

What do you guys think of the M coupe bushing? Pic
Would I be able to press it in myself?

[KidneyBoy]

Its the muffler, hits on the spare tire well. I replaced EVERY bushing on the car when i did the chassis swap no more then 15k ago. No urethane, my pops M3 has urethane everything and they squeek like no other

[bmwman91]

Yeah, I have poly trailing arm bushings, and they squeak...nothing else seems to though.  My muffler WAS rubbing a little, but I bent the hangars a little & its no longer doing it.  I recommend a poly diff bushing personally.  Costs like as much as an OE one, but does not need pressing in.  For that reason alone I was very pleased.  Someone once voiced concerns of the additional vibrations cracking chassis welds, but I have had NO problem on either of my cars.

[mkovarick]

Number 2. for me, but only AFTER the new springs/shocks

[Zoso]

Its the muffler, hits on the spare tire well. I replaced EVERY bushing on the car when i did the chassis swap no more then 15k ago. No urethane, my pops M3 has urethane everything and they squeek like no other

Holy crap - that's my clunking problem!  I've had it since I got my car.  I was amazed when it didn't go away with my new E46 rear shock mounts.  Then I thought it was it was my spare tire bouncing around in the spare tire well... which didn't go away when I got hardware to hold the tire down.  My lastest fix was that I thought my antenna motor wasn't held securely enough.

I read your post about the muffler and while cleaning the interior today, I want in back and pushed the muffler.  It moved easier than I expected and hit something and made a clunking noise.  

So thanks for finally giving me the answer to my clunking problems!!!!  


Choking Hazard,  my guesses are also guibo and rear subframe mount bushings.

[stevohill]

I've got a kinda #1 going on in my car, just a faint thump thump thump thump, but as soon as I shift out of 2nd it goes away. Thought it was the RSMs and first, but I just recently replaced my suspension and it's still there.  Thoughts, ideas?

TIA

[D. Clay]

I have a wife and three daughters - five cars total. When one of them says, "My car's making a noise" I just go out and drive it around the block. They are unable to comprehend vehicle speed, engine speed, and 1/2 engine speed for valve train, much less which wheel. I have even quit asking how long. "Not long" Translation: I've been hoping it would quit but it's gotten so bad it starting to scare me.
At the other extreme, there was a guy in the pit crew of our stock car in the 80's that could walk past a small block Chevrolet with a clicking valve and tell you if it was intake or exhaust and the cylinder number.