Suspension questions

A

AndyMitton

Member
Hi, my first post here. I bought a 2004 Z4 3.0 a few weeks ago and have a few little niggles.

The car has 65000 miles on it and has a full service history and the M Sport suspension - 18" 108 wheels too.

I've done a lot of reading about but still got a few questions...sorry there is quite a few but I'll try to be brief.

I do all my own work on the car (as I've done with previous cars) - I serviced the car this weekend (Castrol Edge 0W30 LL04 spec oil, filter, air filter, pollen filter, plugs etc. and a thorough inspection)

I've had a noise that sounds like its coming from under the gearbox area.
It happens when I set off in first and change to second. Its kind of like a clunk.
I've read a lot on here and it looks like it could be the input flange on the diff - but it does not seem to be coming from that far back on the car. Its almost like its coming from the gearbox. If I drive along in first then dip the clutch to 'unload' the engine the noise happens.

When inspecting the car I took a look at the fron wishbone rear bush. Applying some load with a bar it was easy to see the inside of the bush moving; not a huge amount but it was easy to move (albeit with a lever). Not too sure how much play should be in them to be honest.
There also seems to be a rattle over undulating surfaces (ARB drop links? these did 'seem' ok).

As the engine mounts to the crossmember which the wishbone bush bolts to (and hence the engine torque reacts through this bush) I wonder wether this could be a cause of the rattle.

In addition to this the car does seem to wander over the road really noticeably.

Another problem is the plastic dust cover for the rear shock absorber has split. I've seen a gaiter type rubber cover for sale but this is a fixed length plastic one. Does anyone have any experience of this?

In light of yesterday's service (I was considering doing this anyway as I did a similar job on my previous car - Fabia VRS - and it made it into a new car - huge difference) I was considering purchasing the following: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-FRONT-LOWER-SUSPENSION-WISHBONE-CONTROL-ARM-ARMS-BUSHES-MEYLE-HD-LINKS-/170934367719?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27cc7b75e7......These&clk_rvr_id=461650654845

I've read some good reviews of the more recent Meyle HD components. I would usually use the Lemforder parts but the price difference really is worth it from what I have read.


Must add that the car is great. Engine is fantastic. Just seems to lack a bit of precision which looks like could be due to the bushes. All suspension parts do look asif they have been there from new (the wishbone bushes maybe look a bit newer than the rest).

Any other advice for anything I have mentioned would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

Also I forgot to add that when I took the spark plugs out there was a bit of oil on the threads (didn't 'appear' to be on the electrode I don't think). It was only really visible on cylinders 3-6 but may have been present on all. Does this sound like a leak on the cam cover gasket? Cheers
 
Cheers

I've had a read through that and seems like a possible cause. There seems to be some saying a 'click' and some a 'clunk'.

I think i'd convinced mydelf it was quite far forward, however having listened further it does seem to be mainly coming from the rear of the car.

Would visible play in the wishbone bushes justify changing do you think? Still considering chagnging the wishbones, bushes and drop links.

Cheers

Andy
 
Hi Andy, try this.

As your driving dip the clutch go to engage second gear but don't actually put it in second gear listen for the clunk.

Mine will make a slight clunk but you don't have to fully engage the gear to hear it. Its not loud just slightly hear it but after the cars warmed up and I am smoother with gear changes cant hear it. Local garages say theres no problem and others of posts on hear suggest people have the same noise and that its within tolerance. I believe its something to do with diff not a wishbone or anything like that.
 
AndyMitton said:
Would visible play in the wishbone bushes justify changing do you think? Still considering chagnging the wishbones, bushes and drop links.

Cheers

Andy
Click to expand...
Yes defiantly. My car has done 67k checked the bushes as I was getting a bit of steering wobble under breaking, there was hardly any play when they were on the car but it wasn't until I got them off my car and compared them to new ones that I realised how bad they are. I recommend the meyle hd ones
 
jttaylor said:
Hi Andy, try this.

As your driving dip the clutch go to engage second gear but don't actually put it in second gear listen for the clunk.

Mine will make a slight clunk but you don't have to fully engage the gear to hear it. Its not loud just slightly hear it but after the cars warmed up and I am smoother with gear changes cant hear it. Local garages say theres no problem and others of posts on hear suggest people have the same noise and that its within tolerance. I believe its something to do with diff not a wishbone or anything like that.
Click to expand...

Cheers, this sounds very similar to what mine is doing and Almost asif there's a noise near the gearbox too aswell as the diff noise. More so the gearbox when disengaging the clutch between 1st and 2nd and more the diff when engaging the clutch after changing gear.

The main clunk noise does sound like a driveshaft spline engaging the more I listen to it.

The geabox almost feels like it moves a little when changing between 1-Revers and 1-2nd.

I'll keep researching and hopefully get another look this weekend.

Thankyou for that


[/quote]
Yes defiantly. My car has done 67k checked the bushes as I was getting a bit of steering wobble under breaking, there was hardly any play when they were on the car but it wasn't until I got them off my car and compared them to new ones that I realised how bad they are. I recommend the meyle hd ones[/quote]

Ahh ok, well I think Its a worthwhile change in that case. The front end does seem to do as it pleases when driving and braking so maybe a good call. Not expensive either.

Where's the best place to get them? That ebay link seams reasonably priced to me unless anyone knows any different

Thanks for your input

Andy
 
I bought this kit from eBay
http://bit.ly/X8AMAg
I'm sure he does the bushes on their own for around £60 if you look through his items
 
Thanks mate, That's who I'll get them off. Going to get the full set (wishbones as they contain the ball joints, bushes and drop links). Think its worth it while its all apart.

What's peoples thoughts on going for the Meyle HD or the 'standard' meyle equipment (which still has a 2 year gaurantee) please?

Also found the shock dust cover and bump stop. Is the M sport suspension going to require a different bump stop and dust cover does anyone know?

Thanks

Andy
 
Here's a couple of pictures of the rear shock absorber which has the split cover. Does this look like it could have damaged the unit? The bump stop seemed wet. Not sure if fluid or water

Any advice appreciated

Thank you

Andy

8594254771_3963a1ce02.jpg

8594254815_b3878a0210.jpg
 
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