clunk coming from rear after shock replacement

mvitale27 · 04-18-2012, 02:08 PM

just like the title states, i had my rear shocks replaced and now there is a clunking noise anytime i go over any type of small bump in the road. i searched this and found many threads but none with a solution. can anyone point me in the right direction?

SamDoe1 · 04-18-2012, 02:15 PM

Did you replace upper shock mounts? If no, they are broken. If yes, you didn't tighten them up properly.

Did you put that cone shaped washer on the right way? It should be backwards of the way it seems like it should go.

Did you break or detach a sway bar end link?

Did you tighten everything to torque spec with a calibrated torque wrench?

Best way to find out what's clunking is to jack the car up and start shaking things. Should be fairly obvious when you do that.

Kubica · 04-18-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Did you replace upper shock mounts? If no, they are broken. If yes, you didn't tighten them up properly.

Did you put that cone shaped washer on the right way? It should be backwards of the way it seems like it should go.

Did you break or detach a sway bar end link?

Did you tighten everything to torque spec with a calibrated torque wrench?

Best way to find out what's clunking is to jack the car up and start shaking things. Should be fairly obvious when you do that.

+1.

Plus...torque everything down with all four wheels on the ground, and make sure the brake backing plate didn't get bent.

mvitale27 · 04-18-2012, 02:30 PM

thanks for giving me some things to check out! i didnt do the work myself so i cannot answer those questions. i'll start with the rsm's and work my way from there

mvitale27 · 04-18-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Did you replace upper shock mounts? If no, they are broken. If yes, you didn't tighten them up properly.

Did you put that cone shaped washer on the right way? It should be backwards of the way it seems like it should go.

Did you break or detach a sway bar end link?

Did you tighten everything to torque spec with a calibrated torque wrench?

Best way to find out what's clunking is to jack the car up and start shaking things. Should be fairly obvious when you do that.

Everything you said makes sense except why would replacing the shocks automatically mean the rsm's are broken?

TR4G- · 04-18-2012, 02:45 PM

is it more of a clunk or a rattle sound? I replaced my RSMs and put in coilovers, and still have this rattle. I believe its my RTABS. Replacing them this time tomorrow! I'll check back with updates!

SamDoe1 · 04-18-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvitale27

Everything you said makes sense except why would replacing the shocks automatically mean the rsm's are broken?

Judging by age of the car and location in which it's driven, it's very likely that the RSMs are toast. (assuming that they have never been previously replaced)

mvitale27 · 04-18-2012, 03:53 PM

It's definetly more of a clunk, a deeper pitched noise. When I think of a rattle, I think of almost a metal on metal higher pitched noise.

mvitale27 · 04-18-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Judging by age of the car and location in which it's driven, it's very likely that the RSMs are toast. (assuming that they have never been previously replaced)

Yea I am not sure if they ever have been previously since I bought the car last May. Judging by all the maintenace I have done it is probably safe to say they haven't. Would you recommend replacing them with OEM or aftermarket? Although I just replaced my rear shocks with OEM.. I payed parts only, no labor.. I have been thinking of upgrading to konis/eibachs this summer when I get some new wheels (style 135s?)

SharkmanBMW · 04-18-2012, 04:16 PM

Other than RSMs, which are likely at least part of the problem...

Do both sides clunk or only one side?
Were the new shocks actually 'new'?
What kind?
If the shocks installed were not identical than the ones removed it could be the cause. Maybe they installed a non-xi part?
Also check rear spring/spring pad is seated properly
These cars notoriously break rear springs, worth a look

TR4G- · 04-18-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvitale27

It's definetly more of a clunk, a deeper pitched noise. When I think of a rattle, I think of almost a metal on metal higher pitched noise.

ok good, I agree with that. So our noises are definately not the same

SamDoe1 · 04-18-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvitale27

Yea I am not sure if they ever have been previously since I bought the car last May. Judging by all the maintenace I have done it is probably safe to say they haven't. Would you recommend replacing them with OEM or aftermarket? Although I just replaced my rear shocks with OEM.. I payed parts only, no labor.. I have been thinking of upgrading to konis/eibachs this summer when I get some new wheels (style 135s?)

I did OEM + reinforcement plates. There are others out there, but I didn't see the need to pay that much more.

Kubica · 04-18-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samdoe1

i did oem + reinforcement plates. There are others out there, but i didn't see the need to pay that much more.

+1.

mvitale27 · 04-19-2012, 09:13 AM

I replaced my RSM's with OEM and a reinforcement place and then retightened almost every nut and bolt on the rear suspension. Clunk is gone. Not really sure what did it because I didn't test drive at each point, but I'm just glad it's gone.

I believe the shocks that were installed were Sachs? I could be mistaken. It was 11:30 last night when I got home from school and started doing this.

SamDoe1 · 04-19-2012, 09:30 AM

^

Nice work.

mvitale27 · 04-19-2012, 09:59 AM

YAY 1 more problem solved.. 99 to go!

CharlzO · 04-19-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvitale27

YAY 1 more problem solved.. 99 to go!

99 Problems but a RSM ain't one!

mvitale27 · 04-19-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlzO

99 Problems but a RSM ain't one!

I might have to put that in my sig!

Gepetto · 11-14-2012, 01:02 PM

I have the same problem. Recently (August) changed shocks and struts with Bilstein HD set from Tunermotorsport.com. Also got RSM's from them that are aftermarket (). Could these be the culprit? The car handles great now, just this weird clunk noise...I had a local dealer to the install as I didn't have a garage at the time, nor the right tools.

SamDoe1 · 11-14-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gepetto

I have the same problem. Recently (August) changed shocks and struts with Bilstein HD set from Tunermotorsport.com. Also got RSM's from them that are aftermarket (). Could these be the culprit? The car handles great now, just this weird clunk noise...I had a local dealer to the install as I didn't have a garage at the time, nor the right tools.

Do the following. Especially the last one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Did you replace upper shock mounts? If no, they are broken. If yes, you didn't tighten them up properly.

Did you put that cone shaped washer on the right way? It should be backwards of the way it seems like it should go.

Did you break or detach a sway bar end link?

Did you tighten everything to torque spec with a calibrated torque wrench?

Best way to find out what's clunking is to jack the car up and start shaking things. Should be fairly obvious when you do that.

04-18-2012, 02:08 PM	#1
mvitale27 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 211 My Ride: '02 330xi View My Garage	clunk coming from rear after shock replacement just like the title states, i had my rear shocks replaced and now there is a clunking noise anytime i go over any type of small bump in the road. i searched this and found many threads but none with a solution. can anyone point me in the right direction?

04-18-2012, 02:45 PM	#6
TR4G- Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 874 My Ride: '01 325xi View My Garage	is it more of a clunk or a rattle sound? I replaced my RSMs and put in coilovers, and still have this rattle. I believe its my RTABS. Replacing them this time tomorrow! I'll check back with updates! __________________

04-18-2012, 04:16 PM	#10
SharkmanBMW Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 336 My Ride: 03 330xi, 4th bimmer View My Garage	Other than RSMs, which are likely at least part of the problem... Do both sides clunk or only one side? Were the new shocks actually 'new'? What kind? If the shocks installed were not identical than the ones removed it could be the cause. Maybe they installed a non-xi part? Also check rear spring/spring pad is seated properly These cars notoriously break rear springs, worth a look __________________ ^°^ ><((({º>°° °°° H&R Sport, Bilstein E46 Sport (Front), Bilstein E36 M3 Sport (Rear), Rogue Engineering RSMs

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04-18-2012, 02:15 PM	#2
SamDoe1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 2,535 My Ride: 2004 330xi, 3 pedals View My Garage	Did you replace upper shock mounts? If no, they are broken. If yes, you didn't tighten them up properly. Did you put that cone shaped washer on the right way? It should be backwards of the way it seems like it should go. Did you break or detach a sway bar end link? Did you tighten everything to torque spec with a calibrated torque wrench? Best way to find out what's clunking is to jack the car up and start shaking things. Should be fairly obvious when you do that.

04-18-2012, 02:30 PM	#4
mvitale27 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 211 My Ride: '02 330xi View My Garage	thanks for giving me some things to check out! i didnt do the work myself so i cannot answer those questions. i'll start with the rsm's and work my way from there

04-18-2012, 03:53 PM	#8
mvitale27 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 211 My Ride: '02 330xi View My Garage	It's definetly more of a clunk, a deeper pitched noise. When I think of a rattle, I think of almost a metal on metal higher pitched noise.

04-19-2012, 09:13 AM	#14
mvitale27 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 211 My Ride: '02 330xi View My Garage	I replaced my RSM's with OEM and a reinforcement place and then retightened almost every nut and bolt on the rear suspension. Clunk is gone. Not really sure what did it because I didn't test drive at each point, but I'm just glad it's gone. I believe the shocks that were installed were Sachs? I could be mistaken. It was 11:30 last night when I got home from school and started doing this.

04-19-2012, 09:30 AM	#15
SamDoe1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 2,535 My Ride: 2004 330xi, 3 pedals View My Garage	^ Nice work.

04-19-2012, 09:59 AM	#16
mvitale27 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 211 My Ride: '02 330xi View My Garage	YAY 1 more problem solved.. 99 to go!

11-14-2012, 01:02 PM	#19
Gepetto Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York Posts: 9 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	I have the same problem. Recently (August) changed shocks and struts with Bilstein HD set from Tunermotorsport.com. Also got RSM's from them that are aftermarket (). Could these be the culprit? The car handles great now, just this weird clunk noise...I had a local dealer to the install as I didn't have a garage at the time, nor the right tools.