Need Help Bad!!! - BMW Forum

323bri · 08-05-2006, 09:02 AM

I just bought a 323i and the problems I am having are when you put the car in gear or shift gears I hear a bump sound in the rear end. It is very annoying I would really like to fix it. Also when I hit the brakes the car pulls to the right side. I kinda clunks when you apply the brake. I was told that these cars are notorious for the lower contol arm bushings crapping out. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!! I just got this car and I want to enjoy it. thanks

Dirty_Tool · 08-05-2006, 02:52 PM

what year is it? how many miles? If its older and has higher miles then yes check the upper control arm bushings also called thrust rod bushings, they may need to be replaced. If you do any type of search you will finds tons of info on these. Also there is an online parts film at www.realoem.com where you can see a nice diagram of what they look like and get BMW part #s. The clunk in the rear could possibly be coming from a worn rear differential mount. This mount requires special tools to replace so its not an easy DIY job.
Good Luck and Take care,

saltshaker185 · 08-06-2006, 12:28 AM

my guess is it could be a rear strut mount... if its blown then you will need to replace it and just search the forum on info about it... i say that because if its blown it may throw out the alignment which would conciter your car pulling to one side... but that also could be a brushing as dirty tool stated...id jack up the car and look at all the brushings in the rear of the car and then the top of the shock towers to make sure those havent taken a shit on you...

323bri · 08-08-2006, 08:50 PM

i got the car on a lift and when the car was put into gear nor the trans or the diff moved at all. when it makes the sound the driveshaft moves to the drivers side like its going into reverse but its actually being put in first gear.So a summary of it all is sitting still putting the car in gear it makes a bump noise, when driving switching gears it makes a bump noise. this is so agravating I wish somone could help me.

ghead

DIRTE30 · 08-08-2006, 09:10 PM

The diff will not behave the same off of the ground as it will under load! The noise you are hearing is a very common problem in older bimmers. The rear diff mount get slack and lets the rear axle assembly rock under load causing the clunking noise. There is also the possibility that you have exessive gear lash in the diff or the pinion bearing is worn. Either way it's not a job for the amature or someone without the proper tools and understanding. Saltshaker has such a way with words...SP?... LOL... just pickin on ya buddy!

Hootie · 08-09-2006, 07:57 AM

323bri, does this happen every time you put the car into gear? When I'm parked on a decline and put my car into reverse, the rear of my car "clunks" down as well, unless I have the parking brake engaged. I have ignored it thus far as it hasn't appeared to have any effect on my performance.

FL325i · 08-09-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

323bri, does this happen every time you put the car into gear? When I'm parked on a decline and put my car into reverse, the rear of my car "clunks" down as well, unless I have the parking brake engaged. I have ignored it thus far as it hasn't appeared to have any effect on my performance.

My '03 325i does the same. Normal?

323bri · 08-20-2006, 08:45 PM

This happens when I put the car in to first gear and also when I'm driving and shifting gears. It is a muffled thud in the rear of the car. I inspected the rear diff bushings but they don't appear to be bad. I was reading a technical service bullitin on my car and I found one that stated transmission clunk noise.It gave all the simptums that I am having and it gave a part number for the repair kit. I ordered the kit and it was wrong. the kit is supposed to be a new output flange along with some washers and oring but the flange that the kit has is to big none of the hole line up with mine on the car. I was also curious if any body has heared of this before and if so is this fix for an automatic. I really need to fix this problem it is so annoying to drive the car like this Help!!!!

zibby · 08-20-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323bri

This happens when I put the car in to first gear and also when I'm driving and shifting gears. It is a muffled thud in the rear of the car. I inspected the rear diff bushings but they don't appear to be bad. I was reading a technical service bullitin on my car and I found one that stated transmission clunk noise.It gave all the simptums that I am having and it gave a part number for the repair kit. I ordered the kit and it was wrong. the kit is supposed to be a new output flange along with some washers and oring but the flange that the kit has is to big none of the hole line up with mine on the car. I was also curious if any body has heared of this before and if so is this fix for an automatic. I really need to fix this problem it is so annoying to drive the car like this Help!!!!

Output flange repair kit is only for 1999-2000 cars with auto transmission(323 and 328 models).These cars had this "clunking" issue,though it does not apply to cars with standard gearboxes..... sorry.

323bri · 08-21-2006, 06:37 PM

so is there anything I can do to fix the problem or once it startings doing it there is no fixing it?

zibby · 08-21-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323bri

so is there anything I can do to fix the problem or once it startings doing it there is no fixing it?

Just ignore it... most 3 series E46 doing that.There is no danger to any components of the car in this case,

zibby · 08-22-2006, 12:02 AM

One more thing,,, Regarding clunking when brake applyed.Your front rotors are overheated and/or below minimum thicknes level, also probably you got aftermarket front brake pads, which cause that symptoms.Change front rotors and pads(I would recommend original BMW one) and clunking and pulling to the side will go away !

rej487 · 08-22-2006, 09:03 AM

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you should make absolute sure that you don't have a torn subframe...

turbotom · 08-23-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323bri

I just bought a 323i and the problems I am having are when you put the car in gear or shift gears I hear a bump sound in the rear end. It is very annoying I would really like to fix it. Also when I hit the brakes the car pulls to the right side. I kinda clunks when you apply the brake. I was told that these cars are notorious for the lower contol arm bushings crapping out. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!! I just got this car and I want to enjoy it. thanks

hi,

when you are braking the pulling can also be that the wheels may not be balenced proply