Noisy back end

[eddypeck]

Picked up new car last week, L plate 318 Touring on 150k miles.

Not done many mile yet as stripped out the seats for a big deep clean. But all back in now and took for a short run.

I was aware on collection that the prop shaft mount needs replacing, so ordered one.

And there appears to be a bit feint whine from the diff, so I'm hoping an oil change will help, or at least by me some time.

but on a drive there's also a fair bit of 'clunking' from the back end, at first I though it was all the stuff in the boot as there were a few spares and the side pockets were full.

But all that is empty now so unfortunately it appears to be mechanical.

Any pointers on what to check first? It passed an MOT in June so not long ago, so I would have thought any bushes would have been picked up.

[BenHar]

Shock absorber top mounts.

Ben

[eddypeck]

Good call. I'll check it out, easy fix?

[BenHar]

Yes.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Top_Mounts

Ben

[eddypeck]

Thanks again, loving this site already

E46 top mounts looks like a good idea, may aswell upgrade my rear speakers while I'm at it!

[milescook]

My clunking turned out to be the exhaust not secured correctly - another place to check.

[HairyScreech]

Yes to the above, either against the beam or the spare wheel well.

[eddypeck]

Oh I need a weekend to give it a good look round, lol

[Brianmoooore]

Not quite so easy to do top mounts on a touring as on other models, as bits of the side trim and seat belt reels have to come out.
Tape your socket onto the extension bar, and the nuts into the socket when you remove/refit. Anything that drops into the void will never be seen again, but will be heard frequently.