Greased the dog bones - no more noise

[shogun]

after one year again this terrible noise. Used Karlyn, next time I try Lemforder or Meyle.
2 dust caps broken, almost no grease inside, used old dust caps from other Karlyn which I used only 2 months last year because of that noise.
Opened and no grease inside
http://www.bilder-speicher.de/100606...ting-page.html
added grease, see here
http://www.bilder-speicher.de/100606...ting-page.html
Grease used: MOLYBDENUM Grease , as I just had that on stock.


BMW part number 33321126476 alternatively Lemförder (Nr. 10643).

I will not buy these cheapo no name ones anymore, although it is relatively easy to change them.

[zener]

It's commonly known that these cheap ones doesn't have grease in there. And the dust cap breaks quite fast.

I bought cheap upper steering arms and used dust caps from the old original arms + added grease. No problems with them so far.

Basically if you buy cheap suspension parts, at least add some grease.

[shogun]

Just for info, in case your rubber boots aka ball joint boots are damaged and grease is leaking, you can get new ones. Add new grease and the new boots and your sus parts and ball joints last longer.
Here where I live I cannot pass the bi-annual roadworthy inspection with damaged ball joints and grease leaking in the steering links

Maybe there are also companies in the U.S. which sell them, but most like to offer the more expensive complete parts instead just rubber boots .Found for example asource in the U.K. which offers different sizes, this company is specialized in boots and clips http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PANDA-TOOLS...vers-Info.html

Slide-a-Boot CV Boot Kits
Medium Slide-a-Boot CV Kits
Large Slide-a-Boot CV Kits
Universal CV Boot Kits
CV Boot Clips & Grease
Universal Ball joint Boots
CV Boot clips fitting tool pliers + 20 ss universal clamps heavy duty

Their website with link to Ebay U.K. http://www.cvbootclips.co.uk/
In their offers they indicate always the sizes of the small and large hole, so easy to order.
For example: Medium Ball Joint Boot small hole 12-16mm large hole 30-38mm Height 26.5mm, Supplied with the clips. They also offer a pack of different sizes, they call it Garage Pack with clips.

That happens when they break, dust, water enters: http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/ba...JointBoot.html Usually difficult to find as parts shops like to sell more profitable complete thrust arms etc.

[Nuckles]

What type of noise were you having, I have these on my 95 540i as well?

[shogun]

Well, difficult to describe the noise, when you drive and the rear axle/sus changes positions a kind of squeak like dry metal parts are pressed together and move/slide.

sway bar links: Failure syndromes: clink noise when driving over bumps.

beer cans: Failure syndromes:
Rear clunk noise when you disengage the clutch on an upshift / down shift; especially an upshift. when accelerating; the subframe is pulled away from the chasis via the wheel torque. when you push the clutch in, the subframe unloads and hits the chassis creating the thunk.
The rear of the car feeling like it steers itself.

upper arms/thrust arms front, Failure syndromes:
- The 50-60 Mph shimmy.
- Severely enhanced brake shimmy.
- Clunk noise (cause by defective ball joint).
- Bushings torn or with small cracks.

lower control arms front
Failure syndromes:
- Clunk noise (cause by defective ball joint).
- Bushings torn or with small cracks.

All described nicely here under maintenance, I just copied it http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main.html