Rear knocking

[PCBung]

Hi All,

I've got a slight problem with my Coupe, i appear to have a knocking from the rear O/S. Its hard to describe but sounds just like when my E46 front bushes were worn.

Strange thing is the knocking only happens when driving slowly (20-30mph), across snow or little bumps etc but it does not when you hit a big pot hole or driving faster.

I have had it in at the dealers twice and they found no fault... any ideas??

[James_G]

Interesting, I had the same noise, and the same set of circumstances. I thought it was the rear hatch not sealing correctly, but.... the car is currently in the dealer as I type having this dealt with:



Yes, the dreaded rear spring failure, but the drive to the dealer this morning was whisper quiet (from the suspension anyway)

You would like to think that a dealer would have picked this up but I once had a 323i Touring that passed an MOT with a broken rear spring, so nothing is a given.

[cj10jeeper]

That's the one - broken spring.
Run a search on it for lots of posts on the solution, DIY replacement and alternative spring setup.

[PCBung]

Maybe mines on its way to breaking?

It does my head in listening to it knocking away when I don't have the stereo on.

Atleast im not alone with this problem lol

[AlanJ]

If the broken piece has settled in the base of the spring mounting it's difficult to see and a cursory look by a BMW 'technician' will not always identify the problem especially if they haven't taken the wheel off. Make sure they get the vehicle off the ground and the rear wheels remove for a thorough check. I did this myself and then took it back and even though out of warranty they replaced FOC.

[PCBung]

Think I will get the car jacked up this weekend and take a look myself.

I orginally thought it would be the broke spring problem, but since BMW said it wasn't I went off that... bring on the weekend!

[Z4coupebeaver]

This is not always as simple as springs or dampers. It will be interesting to hear how you go on.

[cj10jeeper]

This is not always as simple as springs or dampers. It will be interesting to hear how you go on.

Of course but it's a real common problem, an easy one to check (if you do it properly) and eliminate before starting to look all over the suspension, exhaust system and then further afield for bits that knock but sound like they are in the rear.

[Exactmax]

I have a similar sort of sound aswell and as far as I know the rear springs have never been replaced. Is there an easy way of telling if my springs have bust?

[cj10jeeper]

I have a similar sort of sound aswell and as far as I know the rear springs have never been replaced. Is there an easy way of telling if my springs have bust?

Yes - jack it up, take the wheels off and follow the coils visibly right tot he very ends. Typically the bit that breaks is the last 2" of the top end of the coil. REmember the end may be missing so look for a jagged end too.

[Exactmax]

If it is the rear spring that is causing the knocking noise, then will it be covered under the BMW warranty? I bought the car second hand from a garage in Bristol - its a 2004 (54) 2.2, 40450 miles on the clock?

Is this something that could be done under BMW's warranty or am I back to the garage where I bought it from to settle the damage costs?

[AlanJ]

If it is the rear spring that is causing the knocking noise, then will it be covered under the BMW warranty? I bought the car second hand from a garage in Bristol - its a 2004 (54) 2.2, 40450 miles on the clock?

Is this something that could be done under BMW's warranty or am I back to the garage where I bought it from to settle the damage costs?

Only if you have a BMW warranty? Original will have run out. If you bought the vehicle secondhand then it will only be covered (perhaps....) if the dealer/seller offered you a warranty OR you have since taken out another/BMW warranty.

[Exactmax]

I have a three month warranty with the garage that I bought it from - RAC Mechanical Failure Warranty (or so its called!).... I will ring the garage that I bought it from on Monday. Warranty runs out at the end of Feb (eeeks)

[AlanJ]

I have a three month warranty with the garage that I bought it from - RAC Mechanical Failure Warranty (or so its called!).... I will ring the garage that I bought it from on Monday. Warranty runs out at the end of Feb (eeeks)

Great news.

[Exactmax]

Just an update, both of my rear springs have parts missing to them - great!!!!