Rattle Noise From Back of Car

E

E85

Member
 Ontario, Canada
Today I started hearing some rattling from back of the car when going over bumps. As if trunk of car was open. That kind of sound.

Car drives normally. What is that sound? Wheel bearing? End links? Other options?

Any tests or things to try or look for to find out more?

Car is a 2003 3.0L Z4

Thanks!
 
Certainly sounds like the coomon failure of one of the rear springs - many of us have suffered this. :( :(

It's sometimres difficult to see without jacking up the car and removing the rear wheels as it's the bottom section that breaks and then fall into the supporting cup. An easy fix and perhaps an opportunity to put better springs on or lowering springs. The choice is yours but for me even if the other spring is OK I would do them as a pair.
 
Worth checking the heat shielding around the exhaust and the two braces that come from near each rear wheel and meet in a 'v' a little bit in from the bumper. On a 2003 car you could have lost a corroded bolt somewhere and something is simply flapping about...
 
Ok thanks.

Is car dangerous to drive with a broken spring?

Ie. do I have to tow the car to the garage or is it safe to drive to & from work for another few days & then drive it to the garage?

How does the spring break? Just normal wear and tear? Or something I did?
 
Bing said:
Worth checking the heat shielding around the exhaust and the two braces that come from near each rear wheel and meet in a 'v' a little bit in from the bumper. On a 2003 car you could have lost a corroded bolt somewhere and something is simply flapping about...
Click to expand...

I will certainly look for this when I get the car up! Thanks!!
 
AlanJ said:
Certainly sounds like the coomon failure of one of the rear springs - many of us have suffered this. :( :(

It's sometimres difficult to see without jacking up the car and removing the rear wheels as it's the bottom section that breaks and then fall into the supporting cup. An easy fix and perhaps an opportunity to put better springs on or lowering springs. The choice is yours but for me even if the other spring is OK I would do them as a pair.
Click to expand...

Easy fix? I guess there are DIY threads on this site I will have to look up.

If I have to change an aftermarket spring, wouldn't I change all 4?

Any ideas on approx costs of springs? And how many man hours of labour a garage will charge?
 
Springs are easy to fix, even for an entry level DIY. Cost will be around £90 for the spring (not sure what that is in $$$ - sorry).

If you change to an aftermarket set, you'll need to get the front springs changed, yes. Eibach springs are around £160-£180 for all 4 (again, not sure what that is in $$$).

Car should be ok to drive for now, but I wouldn't leave it too long to swap the spring if it is broken. You should be able to check by jacking the car up, taking the wheel off and having a look at the spring
 
Adamski said:
Springs are easy to fix, even for an entry level DIY. Cost will be around £90 for the spring (not sure what that is in $$$ - sorry).

If you change to an aftermarket set, you'll need to get the front springs changed, yes. Eibach springs are around £160-£180 for all 4 (again, not sure what that is in $$$).

Car should be ok to drive for now, but I wouldn't leave it too long to swap the spring if it is broken. You should be able to check by jacking the car up, taking the wheel off and having a look at the spring
Click to expand...

90lbs sterling for 1 spring, but only about 180lbs sterling for 4?

Ok thanks I will look up DIY. I've changed coil overs before but that was over 10 years ago & I've gotten a little lazy now that I'm older. But your words of advice have made me want to tackle this :thumbsup:
 
Here's how to do it.....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=15569&hilit=springs
 
Also possible that it could the handbrake cable as it was for me..

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34212&hilit=+rattle
 
Thanks for the comments. After jacking up the car to take a look, the bottom of the shock slipped off the bushing. So the shock was just hanging on by the 2 bolts at the top, so when I went over a bump, it would rattle vs control arm area.

All fixed now, so no more rattle! :D
 
I do love finding the source of a rattle a banishing it :thumbsup:

That's a pretty serious rattle though :o
 
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