Hey guys,

So I am getting a slight clunking going over bumps in my 2003 R53. I hear no noises on the highway -- but the bumpy road leading to my house brings it out big time.

I've replace the following:
- Stock sway bar bushings with Powerflex -- 17mm to fit the 17mm stock bar.

- Sway bar end links -- just did these today it was a cheap gamble that did not pay out

- Rear hatch striker with the new style striker

I've checked the following:
- Mounting bolts to the body for rear upper strut mount
- Mounting bolts for the Sway Bar bracket
- With the car off the ground I've tried to wiggle the wheel - its solid.
- Seat back latch -- I've taken the seat and folded it, I've wrapped tape around it no dice
- Parcel shelf -- tried driving with it out

Its really quite annoying...any other ideas of bushings or things in the rear suspension that tend to fail?

Thank you.

 

I'm assuming this is coming from the rear?

Lower shock bolts are tight? Lower control arms are intact and the bushings are, too?

 

Hi Zillon,

Sorry -- yes from the rear. Lower shock bolts are tight definitely -- Lower control arms have no play in them that I can tell -- the upper control arms were replaced last summer...However - I didnt apply a lot of pressure to them. I've heard the upper mount bolts sometimes have issue -- those are cheap enough to give it a go.

Any other ideas?

 

Not sure. I'm currently chasing a similar issue with the fiancee's R56. I'm sure it's the endlinks, as I've replaced the sway bar bushings.

 

My CM has no spare/jack, etc. but past cars have had varying degrees of thumps, etc. when the hold-down bolt had worked itself loose or left so by me or an evil gremlin. Could be a cheap fix ($0). Fingers crossed.

 

Don't be too sure on that one but I wish you luck. Upper strut mounts also seem to knock some times.....they get compressed over time. end links aren't too expensive - buy just one and replace the side that you think noise is coming from first to not waste money.

I'm going to swing by mini dealer this AM and get two bolts...might as well give it a shot. I'll also double check tightness of shock mount etc while I'm in there.

I'll let you know what happens.

As for post above this one - yup I tried that and pulled absolutely everything out. No spare tire in the R53s at all.

 

Yeah, I was going to suggest the spare tire as well, then saw you had a R53. No spare there!

 

I used to get a clunking while driving over small bumps on the back roads. Just replaced the LCA bushings with powerflex ones and all is quiet now and made a huge improvement in how it handles and steers!


The sound I was getting was deceptive since it seemed to be coming from the hatch.


I have noticed noises from the rear suspension are really from the front and vice-versa. One time I was driving a 75 Beetle on the highway and the steering wheel started shaking like crazy and the sound was coming from the front so I pulled over and looked at the front end and all looked fine.


Went back on the road and it got worse so I pulled over again and after I got out I noticed the rear wheel was hanging out being held by one remaining loose lugbolt. Tire shop did not check the torque:-(


Just a note; before I replaced the original LCA bushings I checked for play or movement but they did not budge.

 

Also make sure your exhaust is not a little loose and hitting somewhere. Could be a rubber mount is worn out.

 

Same thing happened to me many years ago on my eclipse...bad news. But my bolts were just loose.

As for LCAs...replaced about 35k miles ago with powerflex. Noise is definitely from the rear. I have ordered new bolts for the mount as well as new rear strut bushing.

I'll figure it out shortly.

 

Probably not the reason for it, but can't hurt mentioning...
Is your battery strapped in?
Do you have anything loose behind the side panels in the boot? or under the rear seat cushion?

Also make sure the bushings are all seated properly in the right place. I had an issue with one of my front swaybar bushings sliding out of the bracket because the BMW shop the previous owner took the car to to get the control arm bushings replaced didn't torque it down, and caused some serious metal on metal clunking over bumps and such. The bushing was pretty much brand new when I pulled the subframe out.
Otherwise with what you have ruled out, I would definitely look into the strut assembly. hopefully that strut bushing solves it for ya.

 

UPDATE:

First, thank you for all the solutions and ideas ... I finally got some parts in and decided to take out the left rear suspension for inspection this AM.

First the top strut mount was flopping around quite a bit when I took it out...definitely not suppose to be like that.

I started by trying to tighten the Nut on top of the shock (after compressing the spring). Nope tight which meant only one other thing - bushings.

Take a look at the picture - the bushing is not supposed to be completely compressed like that - in fact the body of the new one is probably at least 10-15mm taller than the old one..the picture is not nearly as dramatic as real life. The strut mounts were replaced about 20k miles ago when I replaced the struts - it's a loemforder unit . Not so happy - the product is only $14 but 20K miles ???!!!

Anyhow - that's how I traced down my issue - now I hear rattles from the right side - I'm sure the right side bushing will be just as messed up.

 

Glad you found the issue.