Loud noise from Rear suspension when warm
 

Hey guys,
its still very much winter here and I cannot get a jack under my car as everything is covered in ice and snow.

Trying to get ideas as what could be the root cause of my issue.

Basically when I drive over 45 minutes and the outside temperature is above freezing and hit potholes the rear passenger suspension becomes very noisy, as if there was a component completely loose.
Once I park the car and reuse it the next day or a few hours later, the noise is gone.

But I kid you not, it feels like a wheel is about to fall off when it occurs.....

Its a 335xi and im running H&R coilovers for the past 6 years, all year long.

Open to all suggestions!

Why would you keep driving if it feels like a wheel is about to fall off? I've seen so many cars around here on the side of the roads where the driver kept driving long after they needed ball joint service. Worst case you loose control.

Your issue is probably shock related, sounds like overdue for a rebuild. Shocks will settle after sitting for awhile, which is probably why the noise goes away.

I believe you might be right, this is a comparison of my two rear shocks, 1sr one is the noisy one, it does show sign of fluid on it, hence I will replace the rear pair.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cr...=w1266-h949-no


Right left, not noisy, but still due for replacement I think
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kO...Q=w712-h949-no

Those have been blown for a while.

Dude, your shock bodies are almost corroded through if they’re not already. They need replacing ASAP. Those are gonna need replacement rather than rebuild. Prob have to contact H&R or a H&R dealer to get the shocks that came with the coilovers or switch to another brand.

Couldn’t hurt to address the other corrosion this spring either if you’re planning on keeping it awhile.

I went ahead and ordered a pair of bilstein B8 as it seems like they would fit the bill, also got lower and upper mounts from Monroe, hopefully that fixes it.

The springs are pretty clean, the tender is actually red, that's why they look so bad, ill clean em up.

Cool, let us know how it works out. I was referring to the corrosion on the subframe and such, not the springs.

What do you recommend for subframe corrosion?

Personally, I will power wash it and give it a coat of paint. In my case its all surface rust.

OP what kind of noise are you talking about? I had some issue with a rear bearing and initially didn't make much noise, only under certain conditions, then it was getting worse and worse. At the oil change I asked BMW to check my bearings but they right the way jumped to the conclusion and said rear diff to be replaced. Well they were wrong, it was my bearing :). My noise was like grounding the metal very slowly and quietly then progressed to unbearable sound of grounding :)

Oh no, its not a grinding noise, more of a loose part noise.
I really hope the shocks fix it, at least while replacing them this week end, ill be able to get a good look down there.

ya, i hope it is shocks as well as they do look bad anyway, but had to check :) cause you know, noise and noise is different :) good luck with the fix, hopefully shocks replacement will fix it for you.

Rear Shocks and Subframe inserts have been installed!

I didnt get to drive the car for very long to be honest but no noise until now, rear seems much more solid when hitting bumps, cant wait to put on my summers and hitting the curves.

Subframe inserts is a real joke, must have taken 30 minutes from start to end once the wheels are off. Best 50$ Ive ever spent on a mod I think!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kg...w1600-h1200-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kF...M=w939-h704-no