Bilstein B16/PSS-10 makes noises. Fails! Opinions?

Franzino

Active member
My newly fitted Bilstein PSS-10 / B16 makes a lot of noise with normal use… It's really annoying and is this normal? The OEM BMW rubbers (above and below) are use on the rear Bilstein spring…
Here are some movies of the noise.

[vimeo]96356532[/vimeo]
https://vimeo.com/96356532

[vimeo]96356533[/vimeo]
https://vimeo.com/96356533
 
My kw clubsports can be Noisey when they get really hot , other then that operation is completely silent, unless you count my teeth clattering together as noise !! Lol!!


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They shouldn't be making noises. I'll make a few possible suggestions that might help. The ACS Racing suspension fitting instructions don't mention installing any rear spring pads, so I followed their instructions but found that this created an unacceptable increase in noise so I refitted the upper spring pads and the problem was solved. In the case of the front suspension I've left the OEM rubber pads at the top in the OEM top mounts and never had any noise from the fronts. I've previously found that reusing the 3 bolts that attach the front suspension to the hubs can cause some noise much like the noises in your videos and I've found that the use of threadlok and torquing the bolts tight prevents any rattling. BMW tends to use self-locking bolts (i.e. very close tolerance) for bolts which require high torque, so once they've been undone, they're no longer of a close tolerance. Hope this helps. :thumbsup:
 
Hi Franzino

I have the same noise from my Bilstein B16 PSS10 suspension. I had it fitted 2 weeks ago. I think the noise is both front and back when the suspension is at max extension.

Have you tried something yet?

I also send you a PM in Dutch.
 
MotorMike said:
Hi Franzino

I have the same noise from my Bilstein B16 PSS10 suspension. I had it fitted 2 weeks ago. I think the noise is both front and back when the suspension is at max extension.

Have you tried something yet?

I also send you a PM in Dutch.

I did receive your PM (zeer goed idee om elkaar op de hoogte houden :thumbsup: )… I did not have time to send you a reply… Going to visit my dealer this week (who did the installation) and we will know a little more. The noise is now still there…and way to much!
The noise is front and back with me…but it's not only with max extension…it's already noticeable with small bumps.
Strange that you also have a noise problem with the same suspension at the the same time… This raises some more questions about the Bilstein? Is it a common problem on all Bilstein PSS-10 recently manufactured? Is it a problem on all Bilstein PS-10 that are meant for fitment on the Z4M. Is it only my car with the problem? Is it a installation error or something about the suspension itself?
 
exdos said:
They shouldn't be making noises. I'll make a few possible suggestions that might help. The ACS Racing suspension fitting instructions don't mention installing any rear spring pads, so I followed their instructions but found that this created an unacceptable increase in noise so I refitted the upper spring pads and the problem was solved.
Indeed you told me about the rubbers of the rear suspension, so I already asked to fit these OEM rubbers when they did the installation.

c5pv.jpg

exdos said:
In the case of the front suspension I've left the OEM rubber pads at the top in the OEM top mounts and never had any noise from the fronts. I've previously found that reusing the 3 bolts that attach the front suspension to the hubs can cause some noise much like the noises in your videos and I've found that the use of threadlok and torquing the bolts tight prevents any rattling. BMW tends to use self-locking bolts (i.e. very close tolerance) for bolts which require high torque, so once they've been undone, they're no longer of a close tolerance. Hope this helps. :thumbsup:
OEM rubber pads at the top in the OEM top mounts is something I will have to check. The 3 bolts (6 in total) are new and tightened till specification.

Thanks for the suggestions :thumbsup:
 
Yep that's not normal. No noise at all on mine on all settings 10-1+ its seen plenty of action road and track. However Delage did make changes to both front and read mounts and bushings. Has your fitter lowered the suspension correctly?

Lastly, the Z4M does benefit from specific PSS10 design for either coupe or droptop, but it may not take into account 19" wheels as they were not an OEM option... Maybe that affects the suspension workload and spring rate etc?
 
I presume that your rear top mounts were also changed. Did you fit Rogue, or similar inverted top mounts? If so did they use the paper gaskets that should be inserted between top mounts and wheel arches on both sides?
 
exdos said:
I presume that your rear top mounts were also changed. Did you fit Rogue, or similar inverted top mounts? If so did they use the paper gaskets that should be inserted between top mounts and wheel arches on both sides?
Inverted top mounts? Sorry; no idea what you are talking about :( Why should those needed to be changed?
 
Franzino said:
MotorMike said:
Hi Franzino

I have the same noise from my Bilstein B16 PSS10 suspension. I had it fitted 2 weeks ago. I think the noise is both front and back when the suspension is at max extension.

Have you tried something yet?

I also send you a PM in Dutch.

I did receive your PM (zeer goed idee om elkaar op de hoogte houden :thumbsup: )… I did not have time to send you a reply… Going to visit my dealer this week (who did the installation) and we will know a little more. The noise is now still there…and way to much!
The noise is front and back with me…but it's not only with max extension…it's already noticeable with small bumps.
Strange that you also have a noise problem with the same suspension at the the same time… This raises some more questions about the Bilstein? Is it a common problem on all Bilstein PSS-10 recently manufactured? Is it a problem on all Bilstein PS-10 that are meant for fitment on the Z4M. Is it only my car with the problem? Is it a installation error or something about the suspension itself?
That was exactly what I was thinking, is it a problem with Bilstein or is it something else?

@ ChawenHalo, Mine also makes the noise with the stock 18" wheels
I can make some pictures how it's fitted front and back, I'm gonna change my 18" Toyo R888 for the 19" Michelin PSS set of wheels later today.
 
Franzino said:
Inverted top mounts? Sorry; no idea what you are talking about :( Why should those needed to be changed?
See: http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/S_BUSH/RSM.html
Whilst you're going to the trouble of removing the rear suspension, it's an opportunity to refresh the OEM top mounts. Inverted top mounts also mean that the rear dampers can easily be removed from inside the wheel arch without the need to dismantle the trim in the boot, more of a problem in the Coupe than the Roadster..
 
My kw clubsports specifically asked for the removed of the oem top pad as their adjuster already had rubber feet.

Was dissapointed how low the car was at the suspensions highest setting tbh...

I wonder if these keeps things quieter as the springs are more loaded ??

However mine has helper springs too.




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exdos said:
Franzino said:
Inverted top mounts? Sorry; no idea what you are talking about :( Why should those needed to be changed?
See: http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/S_BUSH/RSM.html
Whilst you're going to the trouble of removing the rear suspension, it's an opportunity to refresh the OEM top mounts. Inverted top mounts also mean that the rear dampers can easily be removed from inside the wheel arch without the need to dismantle the trim in the boot, more of a problem in the Coupe than the Roadster..

This is a major issue on the roadster as you have to dismantle the top bin in the boot . Nightmare .

Theese are a must IMO on install of new units .


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I just found this topic on another forum:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836766

Here is the copied post 24 in which they have a solution for the noise he has with H&R suspension, I don't understand where the ball joint is they found loose.

"Update... Took the car to my local independent BMW repair shop. They fixed my problem for free and completely eliminated the noise by simply tightening the ball joint which was slightly less than a full turn loose. So, contrary to the original mis-diagnosis I received from GoodSpeed Performance Lab -- which sent me on a costly and time-consuming wild goose chase -- the problem was never with the H&R coil overs at all. And I must say I remain extremely happy with the performance of the H&Rs... both ride and handling."


Does anyone understand the solution above and if that is also a possible solution to the noise Franzino and I have in our Z4M's?
 
MotorMike said:
Does anyone understand the solution above and if that is also a possible solution to the noise Franzino and I have in our Z4M's?

I think he might mean the damper attachment to the front top mount wasn't tight enough?
 
motormike why on earth are your brake lines zip tied in place.... ???? :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :|
 
exdos said:
MotorMike said:
Does anyone understand the solution above and if that is also a possible solution to the noise Franzino and I have in our Z4M's?

I think he might mean the damper attachment to the front top mount wasn't tight enough?

I will check that, thank you.
 
Beedub said:
motormike why on earth are your brake lines zip tied in place.... ???? :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :|

I think that's because the original thick rubber line clamps tight through the hole keeping it in place. The steel line is thinner and could otherwise move around through the big (for a steel line) hole.
The zip's are tied around a steel joint and not around the steel brake line itself.

If you think it's dangerous are wrong fitted please tell, if we aren't to much off-topic.
 
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