Sounds From the Rear: Explained

My worst worry is differential or something "more inside"... could it be the case?

My 1994 e36 325iC has a brand new Bilstein sport suspension all the way around and Eibach Sportline springs with new front and rear shock mounts. It has develope (and continues to worsen) a "thunk" that can be quite loud at times when turning hard right or left and sometimes when turning while backing out of parking spaces. Check all of bushings nothing seems bad. Any ideas....it is irking me greatly.

.there's a slight knocking or squeak in back:
As mentioned above, there is probably a problem with the RSM. A knock means that the RSM has probably failed and the upper mount of the shock is just knocking around freely. Squeaking generally only occurs when the roads are wet, but can occur at other times, and generally means the same thing. Both the knocking and squeaking should co-incide with suspension actions, such as driving over bumps, or rough roads. This problem isn't as urgent as the above-mentioned, but since the mount has failed, it's possible that moisture can now get into the car, which can cause other problems. Get new rear shock mounts. Meyle makes a heavy-duty RSM that resists push through failures (most common type), yet retains the stock feel, unlike many of the urethane upgrades. If you're going performance, now is a good time to upgrade to urethane. When you replace the shock mounts, don't forget to buy a re-enforcement plate! Replacement RSMs are available at most all BMW part shops, and re-enforcement plates can be found at BavAuto, and maybe Pelican.



^Check them anyways. New parts aren't necessarily always perfect

Hi All...Can anyone please assist with an irritating rattle in the rear deck of my E36...I have removed it numerous times,added in foam strips,and glued down speaker cables,please help

Where's the rattle coming from? (Be specific)

Can't find reinforcement plates for the 1994 e36 325ic (convertible). Look through all the vendors. The ALL indicate their reinforcement plates will not work on the convertibles.

Originally Posted by 94e36ic

Can't find reinforcement plates for the 1994 e36 325ic (convertible). Look through all the vendors. The ALL indicate their reinforcement plates will not work on the convertibles.

Convertibles require modified shock tower reinforcement plates. Scroll down to the FAQ section of this web page for further explanation:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merc...Category_Code=

On my 1994 325is, the car makes some sort of noise when it shifts. When I'm driving, it seems like it's coming from the rear. It's an automatic.

What should I fix or replace? I heard that I should replace the rear shock mounts, check the U-joint, etc. But what exactly do I fix?

Thanks for this thread OP. Had an increasing rumble at the back - thought it was wheel bearings, sounded likely after reading this and confirmed at $250 a side, but all great now. Did think about tackling it myself but after watching a trained BMW mech struggle for 3 hours I am so glad I didn't!

Hello. I have 2 irritating noises coming from my rear. The first one sounds like a proppeller airplane landing when I down shift to my second gear and the noise goes with my RPM, not speed. Could this be coming from my diff or from my tranny? Second, I have a constant squeak that goes with the car's speed. I was told it could be my rear e-brake pads which kinda makes sense since I have to pull my e-brake up to the max or else it will roll. Please help!! Wanna fix all this before bimmerfest.

The propeller sound is more than likely your center carrier bearing, the mount fails, and it hits the tunnel in the center of the car. I had to replace mine right after I got my car. Check out Eight Thirty's guibo thread, as you will need to do the two of them together. The squeak seems like it could be the wheel bearing, they tend to fail fairly regurally with these cars. There are a lot of DIY's out there where you can replace the wheel bearing without a bearing puller, just search on google. Good luck, keep us posted!

Ok. I'm not the most mechanically enclined dude so where exactly is the center carrier bearing? And I heard the wheel bearing is a pain to replace. How much do u think it would be if I take it to a shop?

Originally Posted by domingo760

Ok. I'm not the most mechanically enclined dude so where exactly is the center carrier bearing? And I heard the wheel bearing is a pain to replace. How much do u think it would be if I take it to a shop?

The center bearing is hidden behind some of the shielding around the exhaust system, half way between the transmission and the rear drive. For a good view check out your car on realoem.com or pelicanparts. You can key in the last 7 characters of your vin to id your vehicle.

The parts for the driveshaft would be less than $100 dollars, then figure about 2-3 hours for labor. The wheel bearings are about 3 hours I think, and i'm not sure about price for parts.

Ok that sounds pretty cheap then. I took my rear tire off and checked my rotor for any wobble caused by a bad wheel bearing but there was no wobble.

what about a huge thump at times when i go on reverse?

hell everyone.. heres my problem. i have a weird knocking noise coming from the rear wen accelerating on first gear, only sometimes. it almost sounds like im running over those small reflectors that the city puts on the road to indicate the road lines at night..also im hearing that squeeking coming from my shock towers starting hearing them right after i installed my new shocks . guess there mad old already or didnt tighten them by hand tight enuff, cus i remember using the air gun on one but the other i did by hand and a vise grip..

i would appreciate any help! thanks everyone

never mind i figured out the problem. when installing my new shocks i put the final washer that tightens with the bolt upside down causing it to have play and not be compeltly tight =].

I think the z3 1997 convertible id the same as the e36 right?
I have a really bad metal grinding sound comimng from my rear and i cant even go more then ten feet forwards or backwards without it getting really loud almost stopping the car somehow almost even propelling the car in reverse after going forwards it sounds very loud and happens suddenly i had to get the car towed home any ideas anyone i have no idea and dont think i can afford to get it fixed right now and i love the thing to death

Sounds like your emergency brake is stuck on, or you have the worlds most seized wheel bearing.

I have the same symptoms as the "slight knocking or squeak in back" description. However, when I brought it to my mechanic, he said that I needed new shocks. Is there any way to tell for sure, or should I just replace the shock mount myself and see if it works?

my rear shocks need replacing too....

what about constant high pitched squeaking?

I read the first page but nothing...

Originally Posted by cj.surrusco

I have the same symptoms as the "slight knocking or squeak in back" description. However, when I brought it to my mechanic, he said that I needed new shocks. Is there any way to tell for sure, or should I just replace the shock mount myself and see if it works?

You can always pull back the trunk lining to see the state of your rear shock mounts.