Suspension noise

[Ajcanadian]

Hi guys, I recently bought a 1995 BMW M3 coupe, 5spd. I bought the car this way.. whenever you go on top off a bump there's this noise. Link of the video:-
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qbF...ew?usp=sharing

Is it the rear shock? This is the side where the noise is coming from

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Yes, I know lowering springs and OE shocks don't go along together

[realjones]

Peel back the trunk carpet and check out the rear shock mount then push up and down on the rear again. If you are lucky the the shock mount needs replacing or the bolt might just need tightening. if you are unlucky the shock tower itself could be ripped.

[Ajcanadian]

Peel back the trunk carpet and check out the rear shock mount then push up and down on the rear again. If you are lucky the the shock mount needs replacing or the bolt might just need tightening. if you are unlucky the shock tower itself could be ripped.

Now How do I remove the carpeting? I got majority off it out but i can't seem to get it out off the black box on the top or by the spare tire

[fbmbirds]

Now How do I remove the carpeting? I got majority off it out but i can't seem to get it out off the black box on the top or by the spare tire

You are gonna need to carefully take off the rear speaker covers from inside the car then unscrew the rear speakers.

After that you will beable to remove the speaker boxes from the trunk.

[Ajcanadian]

You are gonna need to carefully take off the rear speaker covers from inside the car then unscrew the rear speakers.

After that you will beable to remove the speaker boxes from the trunk.

Turns out I do not need to do that you can get the carpet off with a lot off patience without ripping it off.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nB4...ew?usp=sharing

Found it need the mounts

23516163_10208475605686374_2124102491_o.jpg23548165_10208475586485894_32961750_n.jpg23558134_10208475602206287_252565456_o.jpg
on a side note how bad do the towers look? I will be getting meyle mounts and reinforcement plates

[TostitoBandito]

Towers should be fine as long as they are free of rust and cracks. I'd strongly suggest replacing the original mounts with aftermarket mounts that sandwich/reinforce and have the bolts welded in from above so you don't need to take out the carpet to replace your shocks (can do it from below). I know both Ground Control and Rogue make mounts like this.

[Ajcanadian]

Towers should be fine as long as they are free of rust and cracks. I'd strongly suggest replacing the original mounts with aftermarket mounts that sandwich/reinforce and have the bolts welded in from above so you don't need to take out the carpet to replace your shocks (can do it from below). I know both Ground Control and Rogue make mounts like this.

I ordered meyle mounts and plates.... But it does have a little cracking shown in pics

[TostitoBandito]

It's hard to tell from the pictures if that is just surface/paint or an actual crack in the steel. If there's actually damage to the metal I'd advise getting it professionally repaired. If you just put in new shock mounts and there's existing cracking, they'll just keep getting worse.

[bluptgm3]

You will be sorry using Meyle Rear Shock Mounts. Use Rogue, Turner, Ground Control, or other aftermarket RSM, though I recommend E46 M3/Convertible RSMs and Z3 Reinforcement Plates.

If your Rear Shock Tower is cracked or torn, have it professionally repaired.

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[blckstrm]

You will be sorry using Meyle Rear Shock Mounts. Use Rogue, Turner, Ground Control, or other aftermarket RSM, though I recommend E46 M3/Convertible RSMs and Z3 Reinforcement Plates.

If your Rear Shock Tower is cracked or torn, have it professionally repaired.

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I'll repeat for blueptgm3 - you need to get the Z3 reinforcement plates. Unless you WANT to have to weld them later, this is a case of an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure. They're $20-$30 for a pair. This would be one of the first (and easiest) things I'd do if I ever had to get a new car.

[Ajcanadian]

It's hard to tell from the pictures if that is just surface/paint or an actual crack in the steel. If there's actually damage to the metal I'd advise getting it professionally repaired. If you just put in new shock mounts and there's existing cracking, they'll just keep getting worse.

I just ordered ECS tuning reinforcement plates. If I throw them on with the mounts will that stop any more damage?

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You will be sorry using Meyle Rear Shock Mounts. Use Rogue, Turner, Ground Control, or other aftermarket RSM, though I recommend E46 M3/Convertible RSMs and Z3 Reinforcement Plates.

If your Rear Shock Tower is cracked or torn, have it professionally repaired.

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For real? I had a fellow E36 M3 owner recommend them to me so I bought them along with ECS tuning reinforcement plates.... Will the reinforcement plates after installation with the new mounts cause any more damage?

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I'll repeat for blueptgm3 - you need to get the Z3 reinforcement plates. Unless you WANT to have to weld them later, this is a case of an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure. They're $20-$30 for a pair. This would be one of the first (and easiest) things I'd do if I ever had to get a new car.

I ordered ECS TUNING reinforcement plates. I'm going to put them on with the mounts when they arrive. Now my question is will the crack worsen with the reinforcement plate?

[blckstrm]

I just ordered ECS tuning reinforcement plates. If I throw them on with the mounts will that stop any more damage?

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For real? I had a fellow E36 M3 owner recommend them to me so I bought them along with ECS tuning reinforcement plates.... Will the reinforcement plates after installation with the new mounts cause any more damage?

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I ordered ECS TUNING reinforcement plates. I'm going to put them on with the mounts when they arrive. Now my question is will the crack worsen with the reinforcement plate?

Depends on where the cracks are. There are no washers of any kind, which is why the sheet metal fails. The nuts pull through the sheet metal. The reinforcement plates are really just big, fitted washers. On mine, one side tore through. I didn't have a welder, so I just threw the plates on (Which was bad). It actually pressed the ripped metal back into place, which made it easy to weld later.

But all my damage was under the reinforcement plate - the two nuts on the driver side ripped through. And it COULD have gotten worse - it just didn't.

I can't really tell on yours. But if there's just a crack, it's easier to fix now than after it REALLY rips. That doesn't look like damage to me, though - just dirt.

[Ajcanadian]

Depends on where the cracks are. There are no washers of any kind, which is why the sheet metal fails. The nuts pull through the sheet metal. The reinforcement plates are really just big, fitted washers. On mine, one side tore through. I didn't have a welder, so I just threw the plates on (Which was bad). It actually pressed the ripped metal back into place, which made it easy to weld later.

But all my damage was under the reinforcement plate - the two nuts on the driver side ripped through. And it COULD have gotten worse - it just didn't.

I can't really tell on yours. But if there's just a crack, it's easier to fix now than after it REALLY rips. That doesn't look like damage to me, though - just dirt.

My friend has a welder and we'll see what we can do. If he says its not too bad we'll just throw the reinforcement plates on. It's just a hairline crack that it. Not even that deep and right now the car isn't even driven

[TostitoBandito]

For real? I had a fellow E36 M3 owner recommend them to me so I bought them along with ECS tuning reinforcement plates.... Will the reinforcement plates after installation with the new mounts cause any more damage?

Meyle are OEM replacement, more or less. The aftermarket Rogue/Ground Control/TMS mounts are heavier duty, should last forever, and make it 100x easier to service your rear shocks since you no longer have to go into your trunk to get at the bolts since the only nuts are underneath and the studs are welded to the plates. Also, the aftermarket mounts often more or less have the reinforcement plates integrated. I know with my Ground Control plates I have no reason to use the reinforcement plates since the mounts have basically the same amount of steel sandwiched around the shock tower. The aftermarket mounts are more expensive, but not that much more. It's really a no brainer in my opinion.

[Ajcanadian]

Meyle are OEM replacement, more or less. The aftermarket Rogue/Ground Control/TMS mounts are heavier duty, should last forever, and make it 100x easier to service your rear shocks since you no longer have to go into your trunk to get at the bolts since the only nuts are underneath and the studs are welded to the plates. Also, the aftermarket mounts often more or less have the reinforcement plates integrated. I know with my Ground Control plates I have no reason to use the reinforcement plates since the mounts have basically the same amount of steel sandwiched around the shock tower. The aftermarket mounts are more expensive, but not that much more. It's really a no brainer in my opinion.

Only if I knew this before ordering my parts

[blckstrm]

Only if I knew this before ordering my parts

You could always return them and order the aftermarket ones unless you're in a huge hurry.

[bluptgm3]

Rogue Engineering sells a RSM Reinforcement Plate with welded in fasteners p/n “RSM.PLATE”.
Knock the studs out of the Meyle RSMs and use the Rogue RSM Plate, I do not recommend the Meyle RSMs, but I do recommend the E46M3/Convertible RSM, with the same treatment.




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[Ajcanadian]

Rogue Engineering sells a RSM Reinforcement Plate with welded in fasteners “RSM.PLATE”.
Knock the studs out of the Meyle RSMs and use the Rogue RSM Plate.


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Good idea... the e36 life is so much different.

[realjones]

Your car made it over 20 years without reinforcement plates. I had a simple setup of e46 shock mounts with z3 reinforcement plates for many years and had no issues.

I agree that the rogue are better, but for now you certainly can put some fresh ones on there (if it is not worth returning them) so you can drive the car and decide what else you want to do with it. What where the Meyle RSM like $30? With a blown RSM wouldn't surprise me if your rear shocks/RTABs are due too.

[bluptgm3]

…and you need to replace those stock rear shocks. Since you are running lowering springs, they potentially will bottom and tear your Rear Shock Towers.
Additionally, the free travel of leaking/worn shocks can act as a hammer when the shock “sees” dampening in the travel.

[TostitoBandito]

Your car made it over 20 years without reinforcement plates. I had a simple setup of e46 shock mounts with z3 reinforcement plates for many years and had no issues.

I agree that the rogue are better, but for now you certainly can put some fresh ones on there (if it is not worth returning them) so you can drive the car and decide what else you want to do with it. What where the Meyle RSM like $30? With a blown RSM wouldn't surprise me if your rear shocks/RTABs are due too.

It's a "do it right, once" thing. $40 for stock or like $80-90 for aftermarket with integrated reinforcement and easier to service. In a lot of cases I'm all for going all OEM on a street car, but there's a few places where aftermarket is actually better bang for the buck and maintains stock NVH and appearance with increased performance and/or longevity. RSM's, cooling system, poly bushings in certain places (pedals, shifter), speakers, brake pads/rotors, front underpanel, etc...

Yeah and as for RTAB's/shocks, welcome to the suspension refresh adventure. You can take it as far as you care to.

[Ajcanadian]

Your car made it over 20 years without reinforcement plates. I had a simple setup of e46 shock mounts with z3 reinforcement plates for many years and had no issues.

I agree that the rogue are better, but for now you certainly can put some fresh ones on there (if it is not worth returning them) so you can drive the car and decide what else you want to do with it. What where the Meyle RSM like $30? With a blown RSM wouldn't surprise me if your rear shocks/RTABs are due too.

I just wished the guy changed the rear shocks too. Like he spent so much money why didn't he just put bilstein shocks on the back? There's bilstein on the front but stock on the back. My plan is to run the car this way until summer and then buy koni yellows.

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…and you need to replace those stock rear shocks. Since you are running lowering springs, they potentially will bottom and tear your Rear Shock Towers.
Additionally, the free travel of leaking/worn shocks can act as a hammer when the shock “sees” dampening in the travel.

Correct, but funds are a little tight for me right now. That'll happen hopefully during the fall.

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…and you need to replace those stock rear shocks. Since you are running lowering springs, they potentially will bottom and tear your Rear Shock Towers.
Additionally, the free travel of leaking/worn shocks can act as a hammer when the shock “sees” dampening in the travel.

Correct, but funds are a little tight for me right now. That'll happen hopefully during the fall.

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It's a "do it right, once" thing. $40 for stock or like $80-90 for aftermarket with integrated reinforcement and easier to service. In a lot of cases I'm all for going all OEM on a street car, but there's a few places where aftermarket is actually better bang for the buck and maintains stock NVH and appearance with increased performance and/or longevity. RSM's, cooling system, poly bushings in certain places (pedals, shifter), speakers, brake pads/rotors, front underpanel, etc...

Yeah and as for RTAB's/shocks, welcome to the suspension refresh adventure. You can take it as far as you care to.

Exactly, I totally now understand this. A fellow from the land of Brits offered me to buy the Meyle that he bought on his car so I bought those.... with ecs reinforcement plates. That's how I'll drive the car for now. Also, we're welding the shock towers when we install the mounts. Coming fall koni yellows are going to go on.

[bluptgm3]

You may not make it till fall on stock/stock length rear shocks. They may tear your Rear Shock Towers.
Replace those (dead) shocks and don’t mix Koni w/Bilstein.

LOL!! If the car moves to left or right under hard acceleration first/second gear and returns on deceleration it needs RTABs.

[Ajcanadian]

You may not make it till fall on stock/stock length rear shocks. They may tear your Rear Shock Towers.
Replace those (dead) shocks and don’t mix Koni w/Bilstein.

LOL!! If the car moves to left or right under hard acceleration first/second gear and returns on deceleration it needs RTABs.

It does not however it does spin in third gear... Son of a biscuit... I gotta wait until Christmas for the shocks

[Ajcanadian]

Update just got some parts in the mail, more to come. For now I got the meyle rear shock mounts, ECS tuning reinforcement kit, Liqui moly engine flush & supposedly Liqui moly molygen oil service kit with a UV light... but my terrible luck they sent me regular liquimoly since molygen 5w30 is out but hey on the brighter side I got a partial refund.