Creaking noise in Coupe

[Lukeiswho]

Hello, long time no post...

I recently had my car in for an oil change at my local dealer.. which came with a suggestion to do $8500 worth of repairs while I wait. I passed on the repairs, but noticed a creak had developed after I got it back. It's quite loud, but appears to only happen on hard right turns and when going over speed bumps. It's not constant and it's not a squeak or a knocking sound. Just an occasional, low creeeeeak.

I decided I'd see if it was something I could work out myself. I scanned the forum for something similar and didn't find the exact situation, so I looked with my eyes and listened with my ears. I thought it definitely had to be suspension related until I decided to pop the hood and actually press on things. The sound seemed to emanate from further forward than the struts, nearer the headlight. But once I pressed down on the top of the strut, I didn't hear it. It APPEARS to be a creaky body panel, but I suppose I should say I can't be 100% positive.

Has anyone had this issue? Is there an easy fix? Lube? Thanks in advance.

-Luke

[youtube]X3akKLj5UfI[/youtube]

 

[Barty]

That’s odd! Sure it’s not the wishbone balljoints or stabiliser rubbers?

The panels is fixed to the chassis along the top with a number of bolts. All still there and tight? Is the headlight still on tight?

Another thing that springs to mind: perhaps they grounded out the nose when coming on or off the ramps. That could have damaged the bumper bracket holding on the bumper and clipping to the chassis rail just underneath that wing. Same for the wheel arch liner; does that creak when you try to move it?

Annoying to have a sound like that develop when someone is supposed to take care of your car. Best of luck finding the source!

 

[grannyknot]

I would have a look at all the plastic fittings right under where you are push down, lots of fasteners that could have come loose and specifically #6, notorious for getting damaged going over bumps and garage ramps.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DU93-USA-08-2008-E86-BMW-Z4_M32&diagId=51_4951

 

[Lukeiswho]

That’s odd! Sure it’s not the wishbone balljoints or stabiliser rubbers?

The panels is fixed to the chassis along the top with a number of bolts. All still there and tight? Is the headlight still on tight?

Another thing that springs to mind: perhaps they grounded out the nose when coming on or off the ramps. That could have damaged the bumper bracket holding on the bumper and clipping to the chassis rail just underneath that wing. Same for the wheel arch liner; does that creak when you try to move it?

Annoying to have a sound like that develop when someone is supposed to take care of your car. Best of luck finding the source!

I'll take a look at it all. I'm not sure of anything at this point, I only barely started poking around and didn't spend much time with it. Interesting point about the nose bottoming out tho. Not to just point fingers, but it's an odd thing to have cropped up so suddenly. But maybe I can correct it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Lukeiswho]

I would have a look at all the plastic fittings right under where you are push down, lots of fasteners that could have come loose and specifically #6, notorious for getting damaged going over bumps and garage ramps.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DU93-USA-08-2008-E86-BMW-Z4_M32&diagId=51_4951

#6 does appear to be near the location of the creak. I'll make that the first thing I check. I'll be doing brakes soon, so I can get under there. Thanks for the suggestion and the graphic!