Squeaky rear! What could it be?

My 1989 325i has developed a squeak from the rear. Whenever the car is in motion, even very low speeds, I hear a constant squeak from the rear. It doesn't sound like a metallic squeak but more of a "rubbery" squeak, if that makes any sense. Applying the brakes makes no difference. It's rather embarrassing. My Bimmer sounds like a clown car!

I jacked up the car and removed the wheels, then looked at the brakes. The pads appear okay but one rotor shows evidence that the pad is only grabbing near the center. I didn't see any other obvious problems.

By the way, the squeak is not a constant scraping or bearing sound, but the sound of "eek eek eek" over and over whenever a wheel is turning. Same sound in reverse.

Any clues as to what I should be looking for?

Originally Posted by timflowers

My 1989 325i has developed a squeak from the rear. Whenever the car is in motion, even very low speeds, I hear a constant squeak from the rear. It doesn't sound like a metallic squeak but more of a "rubbery" squeak, if that makes any sense. Applying the brakes makes no difference. It's rather embarrassing. My Bimmer sounds like a clown car!

I jacked up the car and removed the wheels, then looked at the brakes. The pads appear okay but one rotor shows evidence that the pad is only grabbing near the center. I didn't see any other obvious problems.

By the way, the squeak is not a constant scraping or bearing sound, but the sound of "eek eek eek" over and over whenever a wheel is turning. Same sound in reverse.

Any clues as to what I should be looking for?

the fact that you specifically mention the brakes would suggest that. you need to change those anyways by the sound of it so see if that sorts out the problem.

with the car parked up, take the handbrake off and put the ar in nuetral and chock the front wheels, and then push down on the boot/trunk of the car and see if it happens. that would indicate its not the running gear. could be springs, or the rubber mount on the muffler

could be the bushing for the trailing arms (i have this issue in my 4runner) or it could be the half shaft seal in the diff.