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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

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JimBob78
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by JimBob78 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:13 pm

This is really getting on my tits... Randomly started a month or so ago, a really loud creak whenever the chassis flexes coming from above and behind me. Pulled out pretty much all the trim in the back and still can't find the cause! Not sure if it's metal or plastic creaking... Anyone got any suggestions for obvious places to check?

Finally got round to pulling down the headlining on the off chance there was something there causing the creak and guess what rolled out?! One of the bloody bolts that holds the roof on! Screwed it back on and checked the otheres, one of which was loose, no more creaking!! I'm feeling pretty smug :D
Worth checking these if you have a coupe.

Cheers
Last edited by JimBob78 on Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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E86 roof creaking!

Post by rally-chris » Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:24 pm

My tailgate lining trim creaks - could it be that? Worse if the load cover isn’t hooked in. I’ve replaced some missing clips and jammed some thin foam in places to try to stop it but it still creaks!

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Crazy Harry
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E86 roof creaking!

Post by Crazy Harry » Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:27 pm

Have you looked at the rear springs. If one has broken and the flat /final coil is missing the spring now ends in a 'spike' shape. These move under flexing (and as you say) and the body twist/shudder is often noticeable in the sunroof / roof mechanism of the car.

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E86 roof creaking!

Post by JimBob78 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:58 pm

So it's possible that the sound is transferred through the body? I've not checked them for a while so will have look, cheers
I've taken all the trim off the tailgate to no avail, sounds like it's under the roof lining, is there a brace under there possibly?

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E86 roof creaking!

Post by Crazy Harry » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:04 pm

JimBob78 wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:58 pmSo it's possible that the sound is transferred through the body? I've not checked them for a while so will have look, cheers
I've taken all the trim off the tailgate to no avail, sounds like it's under the roof lining, is there a brace under there possibly?
Last car I found this on was a Clio the sunroof creaked and clicked nonstop. Found both front springs had cracked and lost the final flat turn. Changed the springs and nothing - no noise at all. Since the Zed is known for cracking rear springs I suggest that this is a good place to start. The rears are under the roof area and vibrations are transferred through the bodywork - I'm not saying this is the reason but its worth ruling it out. Never had the problem myself - well mine is a roadster :thumbsup:

Think there was a thread about the seat bases creaking a couple of months ago.

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E86 roof creaking!

Post by BMWZ4MC » Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:05 pm

If you have the driver’s seat all the way back, it frets on the bulkhead causing an annoying creak. SIt it up or slide it forwards slightly and see if the sounds stops.
Also, check the bolts holding the cross braces from the strut towers to the front bulkhead haven’t loosened. These can cause creaking too (although you would expect to hear that from in front of you).
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by JimBob78 » Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:35 pm

Just a quick bump cos I've sold the problem
Thanks for all the tips 👍

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Mr Tidy
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by Mr Tidy » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 pm

JimBob78 wrote: Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:35 pm Just a quick bump cos I've sold the problem
Well that's a solution, but it seems a bit radical to me! :o
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by keith777 » Sat Mar 31, 2018 10:11 pm

Sold or solved ?
Predictive txt maybe !

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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by buzyg » Sat Mar 31, 2018 10:14 pm

JimBob78 wrote: Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:35 pm Just a quick bump cos I've sold the problem
Thanks for all the tips 👍
What nugget bought it. :? :lol:
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by JimBob78 » Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:57 am

Grrr, stupid far fingers!

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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by JimBob78 » Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:57 am

Fat!

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adam1985
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by adam1985 » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:47 am

How easy is it to take out the headlining? Did you take it all out or just drop the rear down for access to the bolts?
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by dgm » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:22 am

adam1985 wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:47 am How easy is it to take out the headlining? Did you take it all out or just drop the rear down for access to the bolts?
This might assist.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=906224
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E86 roof creaking! Solved!!

Post by adam1985 » Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:04 pm

dgm wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:22 am This might assist.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=906224
Thanks for the reply, looks like it isnt a 5 minute job! Any idea what torque the bolts should be?
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
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