Squeeky Rear

[DemonDaz]

I have had asqueeking from the rear drivers side since I bought the car, normally does it on bumpy roads when first driving and then it will stop.

Today it kept going for agesm but sounded more like metal on metal. I haven't had time to look over it although the springs look fine. The sound seems to be coming from above the springs (behind and to the right of the rear seat).

I am assuming it is the bushes, any one got any ideas?

BTW, it is a 325i convertible with 40mm lowered springs.

[gareth]

shock top mount? it's a bonded rubber sleeve type jobbie on the touring and cab. my touring had a squeaking and slight knock from these bushes giving up.

[DemonDaz]

Well it seems to have stopped completely, and before it stopped there was a sound of something dropping out!

I am now considering the possibility of it having been a stone stuck in the suspension causing the grinding noise.

Out of interest how much were the shock top mounts?
Easy job or garage?

[tim_s]

top mounts are an easy job as long as the cab's similar to the saloon. remove the side boot carpet to allow access to the top mount nuts, jack up car, remove damper - one bolt at the bottom, two on top mount, then unbolt and replace top mount. e46 cab/m3 rear top mounts were Ԛ£11.80 +vat each i think when i bought some the other week from the stealers.

[DemonDaz]

Well it wasn't a stone, just intermitant.

Any ideas what to check, or how to find out which bit it is?

I am thinking along the lines of:

Rear Shocks
Mounts
Bushes
Roll bar mounting?

What order should I look in?

[gareth]

the saloon owners have it easy... the cap and touring shock mount fixes to the top of the shock in the normal way and bolts onto the shell in two places. the saloon one just sandwiches two rubber donuts.

also, on the touring anyway, you have to fold down the seats, remove the seat side bolsters, remove the boot carpet, remove the boot side panels, remove the seatbelts.... took a fair while.

the cab is likely to be tricky too i would guess.

cost about a tenner each from my local GSF dealer iirc.


it could have been a stone in the gap between the shock and the plastic boot maybe?

[Simon]

Is your hadnbrake still working OK? There's a small allen headed springloaded screw that loves in the rear disc, that holds the brake shoes in place, these can come loose from the backing plate, and get caught up in the mech.
Could also be loose chippings getting stuck between the disc and the guard.

Gareth, the price you quote, I'm pretty sure they are the cheaper ones....they won't last long, I also bought some new top mounts for an E46 M3 on Friday, from the dealers too, and for the pair plus the gaskets came to Ԛ£21, which is bloody brilliant!
BTW, I recently changed the top mounts on the touring, and can't remember there being any difference between the touring and saloon, apart from the extra trim.

[DemonDaz]

Cheers guys, I think I will order some shocks and mounts and take it to bits at the weekend.

Simon, the handbrake seems fine so I doubt its that but I will have a look.