How do I?
Last night while driving home I started hearing a “thump” noise every once and a while from the rear of the car. I had about 10 miles to go and by the time I got home it had progressed to a clicking every rotation or so and a thump/heavier noise when lifting off the accelerator. It would also get worse after a turn. It got consistently worse after it started as a mild every once and a while (30 secs or so) thump noise.
I’ve attached a video I took towards the end, there is some wind noise so you may need to turn the volume up to hear it.
What could this be?
https://youtu.be/2NmeOY7GOEw
Member
BMW CCA Member
How fast were you going when you recorded that? The wind noise masked some of the sound.
Was any service done on the car recently?
Did you have any incident recently? Like, hitting a large pothole, or bump, or curb?
Is it coming from one specific side at the rear?
I don’t think the diff would make this sound, but perhaps a CV joint for a drive axle? Check the CV boots on the left and right drive axles to see if there are any tears, or any telltale signs of tears, like CV joint grease ‘sprayed’ in a pattern on the underside of the chassis above the CV joint.
Does your parking brake work properly? The parking brakes have a separate brake drum in the center of the rear brake disks. If you’ve ever worked with drum brakes, you know that they have a collection of springs and adjusters to manage them, and maybe one of the parking brakes came apart.
Another possibility could be a rear hub bearing. How many miles/kms on the car?
-rb
Last edited by RBNetEngr; 05-01-2022 at 03:02 PM.
shade tree mechanic
Moderator
Moved from general BMW forum to E39 forum
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
How do I?
Moving about 30 mph, no service on suspension, it feels like it’s from dead center, possibly a bit to the right. Parking brake has no issues.
Car has 119k miles, no grease or any tears in boots. Could be a rear hub, have new ones and planning on doing when I do brakes in a few weeks.
It’s a quite abrupt noise, there’s the clicking but also a jumping kinda like it gets hung but the diff (or whatever it is) lets go all at once after a turn.
Member
I had a clicking noise in the e38. Needed a driveshaft. Texas Driveshaft. Cannot give enough praise. Excellent to deal with.
Headliner Hipster
It's the CV joint
Diehard E39 driver.
I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"
Member
Not sure which CV you mean. Mine was the CV at the end of the driveshaft.
Headliner Hipster
that one, preciselyOriginally Posted by CPHES
Diehard E39 driver.
I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"
How do I?
Ok. It only makes noise when I’m off the accelerator. No noise otherwise.
I also am getting vibrations in the steering column at above 50 mph (took on test drive yesterday to see if any other issues)
Could be flex joint on driveshaft?
Dismembered
Balance your wheels.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
How do I?
All four wheels and tires were off the car three weeks ago for new tires. This is not a balance issue I suspect.
Dismembered
Just because they were just done recently, doesn’t mean the guy that balanced them did a good job. If you are getting it at a certain speed, one or more of the wheels might be out of balance. Example would be, maybe the clod that did the work placed the weight on the wrong spot, and instead of correcting it, figured it was close enough. Seen that before. I do all my tire mounting and balancing myself because I figure everyone is on drugs, or just plain stupid.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
How do I?
Definitely is a factor-
This is not necessarily a speed issue. Happens whenever IÂ’m off the accelerator.
New noise- rubbing when turning close to or at lock.
Leads me back to diff?
Donny
Engine mounts broken or collapsed so that oil pan is sitting of the crossmember or something similar? I’ve seen some driveshaft center support bearings where there is no rubber “support” left, so the driveshaft just thrashes around inside the mounting ring.
-Donny
How do I?
Update- after too much time under the car, with a new driveshaft, CSB, and flex disc, the noise is still there. Is louder in neutral (could be just perception)
This is starting to become irritating
How do I?
Think I may take car in to get diagnosed at dealership. Will cost about $300 but at least I’ll know what the issue is. I hate doing this but at this point 50 some hours later Im getting to the point where this has become a drain. (also replaced sunroof cartridge due to some issues and all four shock absorbers)
This will mark hour 150 into this car in 4 weeks or so. (Timing chain guides, interior work, etc)
Georgia Car Scout
This. And find a specialist that has been in business for years and has a great reputation in the collector and performance auto community. Like my friends at Gran Turismo East.
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Member
Where in Cali? If near San Diego - La Jolla Independent. I can’t speak highly enough of them. ( sent my kid there, and they have been more than honest )
How do I?
In Santa Barbara. Will take to autowerks or similar.
How do I?
Tires balanced. It’s not the issue
How do I?
Apparently I do not have engine mounts anymore. Gone. So going to replace those.
What a Journey.
Almost There
Moderator
Half shafts?
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Member
loose wheel weight?
Dismembered
Illegal migrants in the trunk…
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Headliner Hipster
a ghost from a murdered ho that got transported in the trunk.
Diehard E39 driver.
I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"
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