E30 Zone

Hi there

I've just bought a 325 touring to replace my 325 saloon... It has an LSD and has been lowered a little (about an inch lower than my saloon that had Mtech suspension). I quite fancy putting normal height springs back on it, it seems to be wearing tyre inner edge too much...

When I turn right, there's a hollow metal clunking noise coming from somewhere around the rear seat/left rear wheel area. Only happens if I corner with a bit of enthusiasm (I'm talking about 20mph around town, bit of gas). I can't hear any noise in a straight line generally, even using a little wheelspin on a wet road.

I haven't been under the car yet as it hasn't stopped raining....

Perhaps in a related fault, the handbrake doesn't work properly. On a slope, apply handbrake and lever moves only 1.5 inch. Then allow car to move down hill (release footbrake, or if parked in gear push clutch) and suddenly handbrake lever can be pulled about 6 more clicks/4 more inches up and car finally stops. But you can't apply handbrake properly unless car is moving...

If anyone can help point me towards the problem, I'd be most grateful. There's a few other odds and ends I'll post about in the coming weeks too

Cheers

Tony

Rear shock absorber top mounts are worth checking,if these are split then that can create a knocking from the rear.
Not sure on the handbrake though,probably best whipping the disc of to check.

Reading your post again it could be something like the handbrake shoe holding pins/springs come adrift.
Wheel off/closer inspection needed i think!

Hopr this helps

Eko

Thanks for advice! I'm having a shortage of daylight/garage at the moment, but I'm trying to put my mind at rest about what could be wrong...

What worries me about the knocking noise is that I'd expect all the components to load up in cornering and stay loaded - therefore no noise... noise implies movement which is bad... The handbrake on my saloon always worked, so I have no idea what it looks like, but I suspect I'll be finding out soon!

Cheers

Tony

Could this not be wheel bearing?

Eko - nice sig pic!

Well still worth checking the top mounts when you get chance as these are prone to splitting.
Also have a look at this link for a breakdown of the handbrake shoe set up.
No11 in the link have been known to become dislodged,ive had it where they have pulled out of the back plate.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=34&fg=30

hoshy wrote:Could this not be wheel bearing?

Eko - nice sig pic!

Suppose it could be but ive not come across a worn bearing on an E30 yet so wouldnt really know!

Sig pic is cool isnt it

Thanks guys

When it stops raining and I'm at home in daylight, I will check wheel bearing. It's a funny one as it's just had the handbrake worked on for the MOT. Thus, handbrake, wheelbearing, top mount etc should all be fine...

Could it be propshaft/centre bearing? Or would that always make a noise, rather than just when turning right??

Cheers

Tony

Tony,think the prop centre joint would cause more of a juddering when pulling away?

That's a relief, they look like a bugger to fix...

eetrh wrote:That's a relief, they look like a bugger to fix...

Tony,Brianmoore is really the guy you need to speak too about this,he is a bit of a legend around these parts and is sure to offer more help/advice on what the problem is than me!
Hell be around soon so just hang fire