Mystery metallic rattle from rear of car.

[Zack01GC]

I lifted up the rear, and inspected everything I could see thoroughly. NOTHING was out of place, cracked, damaged, loose, etc. that I could see. I removed both rear wheels, and made sure every bolt I could access was tight. Subframe mounts and the subframe itself look good, and the coil springs are in good shape (no cracks or broken).

The rattle happens:
-Going over bumps in the road
-The sound is independent from side to side. If the left rear hits a bump, it will make a noise, but the right won't... and vice versa. If the bump/crack is wider than the car, both sides will rattle.

I can not find anything that even makes the same noise. It is definitely coming from the rear of the car. It's driving me absolutely insane.

Thanks in advance.

[betaflame]

Can you use your weight on the car to get the noise by bouncing it?

[esberelias]

Parking brake pads broken inside the drum?

RSM???

[1988 325ix]

Broken rear springs?

[Zack01GC]

Springs are fine. Parking brake pads are also fine and working properly.

I can't get the car to make the noise unless I'm driving it. No sound from just bouncing it.

What is RSM?

[1988 325ix]

Springs are fine. Parking brake pads are also fine and working properly.

I can't get the car to make the noise unless I'm driving it. No sound from just bouncing it.

What is RSM?

Rear Shock Mounts.

[Zack01GC]

I figured if it was those (strut mounts) I'd be able to hear them much more inside the car. If I put the windows up, I can barely hear the noise.

If it's any way to more accurately describe the sound, think of a hooptie with a loose hubcap hitting a pothole. That's what immediately comes to mind when I hear it. Very similar sound.

[warriorpluto]

When I use my weight on my car and sit down hard I can hear a clink sound. Would bad rsm cause the classic thump sound when shifting? Releasing clutch? From what I can see my rear subframe mounts are ok

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

[87iSee]

Did you actually take the rotor off to inspect the parking brake? That stuff can rust apart and start dragging or bouncing around in there. happened to mine already.

[SexualChocolate]

If in the suspension I am thinking that your sway bar endlinks.

Shoot it could be anything, including a loose battery tie down.

[Zack01GC]

Endlinks are good, checked those.

I took the entire brake assembly apart down to the parking brake. Everything looks good.

[1988 325ix]

Dust boot for the shock?

Grasping at straws now haha.

[Zack01GC]

Well, I've narrowed it down to something in the brakes. When I'm on them going down a hill, the noise ceases. As soon as I let off the pedal, it starts again.

Back to the investigation.

[G. P. Burdell]

Well, I've narrowed it down to something in the brakes. When I'm on them going down a hill, the noise ceases. As soon as I let off the pedal, it starts again.

Broken or missing anti-rattle clips or inner pad clips?

[ZeeZoo]

Broken or missing anti-rattle clips or inner pad clips?

+1

[esberelias]

Interesting... I had hat noise in my E36 before i sold it.... Never did figure out what i was and it defiantly was in my rear brakes too!...

Take off ur tires and disassemble your brakes and reassemble them... including taking off rotors....

[Zack01GC]

I already had disassembled the brakes.

I discovered the problem. The inner pads are loose in the caliper. The aligning tabs on the pads seem to be too thin, therefore they are not resting tightly in the track that they slide in.

No big deal, glad I found it. Thanks for all of the responses fellas.

[ronbak]

man I been going through the same hell. Noticed noise stops with brakes. Took brakes apart four f'in times. First time i swore it was e-brake but noooooo. I just upgrade to slotted/vented rotors and ceramic pads. When you say inner pad, the one against the piston?

[spoonerDee]

Broken or missing anti-rattle clips or inner pad clips?

+1

This is what caused my rattling. Drive me nuts till i finally had a new one put in at the last service. Now she is nice and quiet.

[ronbak]

Dee

what did you replace?

here's my pad rattling

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu15RChfflA&list=PL76C1CF6EBCC30830&index= 1&feature=plpp_video[/ame]