Irritating sound from rear of E46

[reardriven]

Of late I have been experiencing this irritating sound coming from the rear passenger side of the car especially on uneven road. I know it's tough to describe the sound but I'm going to try anyway:

- rubbery / springy sound
- not hard-hitting / not the metal against metal clanking sound
- intermittent in nature
- sounds like a rattle of some rubber / plastic component
- not sure if it's from rear undercarriage or boot

To date I've done the following but to no avail, I've literally emptied my boot and taken out both the breakdown sign and the spare.
Rear upper damper mounts have been replaced. Maybe I'll remove the tools in the tool box as well just to be sure.

Doesn't sound like a worn wheel bearing because there is no sound heard when I slam my brakes hard.

 

[TripleM]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Hv u done one of the following mods?
1. Dampers+springs and the components relating to suspension set up
2. Anti Roll Bar

 

[reardriven]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Hv u done one of the following mods?
1. Dampers+springs and the components relating to suspension set up
2. Anti Roll Bar

Nope, my car's suspension components are stock. Spring+dampers are BMW factory sports.
:thinking:
Riverview did undercarriage check and we did not uncover any suspension play below.

 

[NightHawk]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Does it make a difference if you have or not have mods like dampers/springs or Anti Roll Bar?

 

[e46sg]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Of late I have been experiencing this irritating sound coming from the rear passenger side of the car especially on uneven road. I know it's tough to describe the sound but I'm going to try anyway:

- rubbery / springy sound
- not hard-hitting / not the metal against metal clanking sound
- intermittent in nature
- sounds like a rattle of some rubber / plastic component
- not sure if it's from rear undercarriage or boot

To date I've done the following but to no avail, I've literally emptied my boot and taken out both the breakdown sign and the spare.
Rear upper damper mounts have been replaced. Maybe I'll remove the tools in the tool box as well just to be sure.

Doesn't sound like a worn wheel bearing because there is no sound heard when I slam my brakes hard.

Hi,

could it be the rear suspension mounting?

Had that sound problem sometime back, happens only when going over uneven roads.

suspension mounts cost below 100 if I dont recall wrongly.

 

[TripleM]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

That cud be the source of the problem
Go get em check

 

[yuin]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

I had a plastic clicking sound coming from my rear seats. Sound was intermittent as well.

Turned out to be coming from undercarriage. A plastic/rubber holder that secures one of the small hoses broke off, so the remaining piece would knock against the undercarriage.

 

[Whisky_Tango]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Have you check if the jack is properly secured? The red colour screw sometimes loosen by itself.

 

[beem]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Hey...I had that sound tooo....i could not figure out what it is....

At first, it was coming from the rear left passenger side or so I heard....I thought it was the CD player...took out everything and its still there..darn...I checked my jack..its good and tighten...i also tried to add padding on plastics and metals but still to no avail...

I am running on M-tech setup and the sound just appeared recently...its like a clacking sound....especially noticeable when the car is cold in the morning and when u step on the accelerator or going through some pot holes or uneven road surfaces...its sooo irritating...

 

[reardriven]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

My car's rear upper mounts have already been changed (to E46 M3 mounts) but the sound still persists.

I have removed what I can remove easily which includes the spare, jack, breakdown sign and even the CD changer cassette; even tried playing with the rear headrests but all to no avail.

Now waiting for Amos's diagnosis....

 

[beem]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Really appreciate your outcome...

 

[galant1688]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

it is most likely control arm bushings .... I have similar problems but once replaced, all solved.

 

[beem]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

U mean rear control arm bushings?

 

[reardriven]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Update 23 Aug

J4C suspected that the sound could have been caused by my aftermarket brakepads and so swapped them for new original items. (Anyway two of my aftermarket brakepad mountings have snapped!) According to John, should refrain from changing to those non-original aftermarket brands that promise dust-free operation. I will not name the aftermarket brakepads that I'm using as I may have very strong leg muscles and so broke them...hahaha Anyway original items do provide better initial bite.

Sound was gone....... I was happy. I regained my appetite.

I regained my sex drive.

Last night before I went to bed, I kissed my Ikea soft-toy goodnight thinking that "life is wonderful".

And then...................this morning the sound came back!!!


I will be sending my car in again. I HOPE it's caused by the rear lower bushes and not anything up there in the suspension subframe! That will be major....

 

[beem]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Reardriven,

I do not think its the brake...i am using Ori brakepads...so...might be the bushings...not sure though..

Anyway, when u start ur car in the morning while its cold, and u step on the accelerator, do u hear the rattling sound from the rear?

 

[reardriven]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

Reardriven,

I do not think its the brake...i am using Ori brakepads...so...might be the bushings...not sure though..

Anyway, when u start ur car in the morning while its cold, and u step on the accelerator, do u hear the rattling sound from the rear?

No. The sound is induced by uneven road surfaces only. Could be the lower arm bushes....hmmmm

 

[galant1688]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

confirm is bushings ... mine experienced the same symptons on uneven road.

 

[shaaz]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

confirm is bushings ... mine experienced the same symptons on uneven road.

That is wat happens when u have a 330??.. or is all bushings?

 

[beem]

Re: Irritating sound from rear of E46

I got it fixed. its actually a loose exhaust piping fitment that's causing the irritating sound.