Possible Suspension Problem?

D

DeeCee

Member
Hi Guys,


I think I may have a problem with my rear suspension. I have recently had to replace the two rear tyres, both after driving carefully over a road with a number of speed bumps (seperate occasions). Neither time the run flat indicator came on, and the tyres didn't really lose a large amount of air, however the handling was different.

The first tyre went and around 1 week later the next went. A guy at a local garage said the second tyre could have gone due to the added pressure on it (new tyre one side/worn the other). This was a fair comment so I bought the second tyre (first fitted by BMW Harrogate after their instruction). Although when I/we checked the second tyre, there was no clear evidence of a tear/blow out etc?

Tonight I have driven down the same road and the same seems to have happened, once again no run flat indicator, but along bumpy (ish) roads theres a real sense that the back end is bumping around, the same applies when going over really small bumps etc.

Any ideas? The tyre (whichever it is), hasn't massively deflated, but the handling is definately different.

Has anybody else experienced this? I don't really want to have to keep buying new runflats!!


Cheers,
Darren
 
It wont be the tyres. they are all talking $hit.

its not uncommon to get a change in road surface to cause the sensing system to spike a fault my X5 does it some times as well.

if the tyre pressure is ok then it ain't the tyres.

as you sure the handling is dodgy after the bumps or is it in the mind.....

When you say the tyre went.... went where? did it deflate or have a blow out.

I'm intrigued to know more

Dario
 
If your PSI is even a little bit low it will affect the handling. After driving for a while it should be easy to notice in the Z4 because it is so responsive. However I would like to think that the garage would see that it was under inflated and would air it up. But if they are telling you that bit about the tire going because of added pressure on it then I'm inclined to think they are after your money.

Get an air gauge and measure the air in your tires when the tires are cold, it should be close to what is on the dataplate that is on the doorjam.

I agree with what Dario said and will ask again, the tyre went where? deflate, if so how much? to flat?

Did they let you keep the tires?
 
The first tyre that I had a problem with, the air was coming back out of the valve, BMW Harrogate advised to change this as it was punctured. The second tyre I ordered myself (at a cheaper price) through a friend's garage. I did this as I experienced the same feeling going over the speed bump.

The guy who own's my friend's garage explained about the added pressure on the 'older' tyre may have caused it to pop - this tyre I have, and we couldn't see any physical tears or punctures.

The handling overall becomes heavier and more 'sluggish' and as mentioned earlier there is a real thud when going over the smallest of bumps. In fact, this morning I reversed onto the driveway, passenger side rear over the slightest drop kerb (talking a couple of inches) and there was a definate thud as i did it.

I should have mentioned earlier that it's a Coupe not a Roadster, if that makes any difference?
 
Listen, if you hit a bump in the road like a ridge, the sound in the car can sound like you just dislodged the engine from the engine bay and dropped it on the road.

if the valve was letting out air from the tyre there was nothing wrong with the tyre. what your mate is saying about tyres going pop with inflation is utter tripe to put it mildly. the Heavier more sluggish could be from the front suspension upper mounts or the lower ball joints.

I suggest that this car is inspected by a competent professional but i doubt it had ANYTHING to do with any of the tyres.

get somebody to look at these areas.
frontsuspensionleg.png
frontsuspension.png

Dario
 
Now that the snow seems to have cleared, I've managed to get the car into the garage! It goes in tomorrow for inspection by BMW. I'll let you guys know the outcome.
 
Ok, so BMW inspected the car and they haven't found any faults. They said that they have lubricated and tightened any parts where necessary etc and that I am to let them know/go back to them if I here any banging.

Which is coincidental as when I was reversing off my drive (the very next day) there was a few large bangs coming from the front wheels. I was literally going 1-2mph and it felt almost like something was stuck or locking within that area. The drop kerb is literally 2-3cm high!

Any ideas guys, I know that BMW have inspected the car but I feel there is definately something not right!
 
DeeCee

Banging from the front?

This really sounds like your front Control Arm Bushings, Number 8 on the RealOEM picture that Dario provided.

One way to tell is this: Start the car slowly rolling a few feet. The apply the breaks. During this, have a second person stand at the initial breaking point and carefully watch your tire. If the bushing is really bad, the whole tire assemble will appear to move.

Check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Pw3V8pMeI

You said BMW checked this out. They could have missed it. Or they are ok and you have another problem.

I had this problem, but only one bushing was faulty. Replaced both.......
 
I've just had the car in for an MOT at a friends garage.

He's had a look at this area and one of the guys thinks I need some bottom arms. I don't know alot about cars but he said something along the lines of "the bush is moving inside the ball joint because of the arms".

Does that make sense to anyone? The problem occured when the steering wheel was being turned slightly.

Would that cause the banging/problem with the suspension?
 
Broken bush could certainly cause all sorts of clanging/knocking noises. Certainly a lot more likely than replacing tyres!
 
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