Suspension Noise Help Please - BMW Forum

Foomp · 04-09-2010, 07:42 PM

Hello
I have a 97 328is coupe. It is high mileage,208k. Mostly highway.
I bought it from original owner whom I have known since he bought it new.
I got it with 198k on it and since then put new rear pads and rotors
on it(from BMW dealer) and a new intake bellows.
I drove it to Michigan over christmas and Ohio in march. In the last week I have developed a loud deep thump from the left rear of my car while turning. It only happens at low to moderate speeds 5-25 mph or in reverse while turning the wheel. During a highspeed cornering it is fine (on ramp-off ramp,)
I completely cleaned my car out and made sure the spare and the battery was secured. I took it to my brother in laws shop and put it on the lift today.
I checked the rear subframe, the bushings the mount points, the sway bar links,mounts and points. I then pulled off the rear wheels and checked bearing
play then re tourqued the wheels back on. Then i did the same procedures
to the front of the car.I took apart everything in the trunk and looked at the top shock mounts to make sure they were not bad. I did as much research
as i could online and checked all the places that were noted to fail, plus
anything else i could see. Am I missing something?
The shocks are the original BMW units. Can one of them be doing this?
Any help is much appreciated

Thank You

johnnyBgood · 04-09-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foomp

Hello
I have a 97 328is coupe. It is high mileage,208k. Mostly highway.
I bought it from original owner whom I have known since he bought it new.
I got it with 198k on it and since then put new rear pads and rotors
on it(from BMW dealer) and a new intake bellows.
I drove it to Michigan over christmas and Ohio in march. In the last week I have developed a loud deep thump from the left rear of my car while turning. It only happens at low to moderate speeds 5-25 mph or in reverse while turning the wheel. During a highspeed cornering it is fine (on ramp-off ramp,)
I completely cleaned my car out and made sure the spare and the battery was secured. I took it to my brother in laws shop and put it on the lift today.
I checked the rear subframe, the bushings the mount points, the sway bar links,mounts and points. I then pulled off the rear wheels and checked bearing
play then re tourqued the wheels back on. Then i did the same procedures
to the front of the car.I took apart everything in the trunk and looked at the top shock mounts to make sure they were not bad. I did as much research
as i could online and checked all the places that were noted to fail, plus
anything else i could see. Am I missing something?
The shocks are the original BMW units. Can one of them be doing this?
Any help is much appreciated

Thank You

Welcome to the Werkz........

my next post should help you with your issue.........

jb

johnnyBgood · 04-09-2010, 08:53 PM

A common issue with the E36, the rear trailing arm bushings fail causing a loud clunking noise in the rear of the car......

Symptoms of bad trailing arm bushings include side movement of the rear end under acceleration, general looseness of the rear over bumps, and abnormal tire wear. These bushings will start wearing out after about 50,000mi, give or take.

BMW E36 RTAB Without Special Tools

MCS - Modification Tutorials: Rear Trailing Arm Bushings with Reinforcers

YouTube - BMW E36 323is Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Failure

Foomp · 04-09-2010, 08:56 PM

Thank you for your response

Where can I find your next post please?
Never mind You answered my question
Thank you so much for the help
I am going to look at that first thing tomorow
I will keep you posted and be so grateful if this is what it turns out o be

Thank You