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Thread: Abnormal suspension knocking noise on E36 coupe

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    1998 318is DASC

    Abnormal suspension knocking noise on E36 coupe

    My 1998 E36 318is coupe has been making an unusual noise for a while now and I have not been able to work out what it is.

    I've added a video where you can hopefully hear the sound. It is that quiet knocking type sound that you can hear through most of the video.

    It doesn't make the sound all the time, maybe about 60% of the time. It seems more noticeable at higher speeds, and seems to happen at the same place on my daily commute.

    It does not seem affected by going over bumps. It does not seem to vary with road speed. It does not seem to be affected by engine speed as if I stop accelerating or put clutch in it does not change. It is not affected if I brake or use the handbrake.

    However, it seems to never happen if I am turning left.

    I can't work out which end of the car it is coming from.

    I had a look under the car (eg. rear shock mounts, anti roll bar bushes and mounts) but can't see anything obvious.

    Any ideas on what the sound could be or how to diagnose?

    (These parts have been changed in the last year or so: front control arms/bushes, inner and outer tie rod ends, rear shock mounts, RTAB, rear wheel bearings)

    Last edited by john318is; 11-20-2018 at 07:00 PM.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  2. #2
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    If it is rhythmic goes straight or turning right, it is most likely left front wheel bearing, but don’t rule out left rear wheel bearing


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  3. #3
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    I would say wheel bearing too. jack up the tire and grab it at 12 and 6, push/pull for play. Front wheel bearings are easy to do.
    Attn. NEWBIES: Use the search feature, 98% has already been discussed.
    Click the search button, select "search single content type", select the "e36 sub forum" specifically, try the "search titles" then try the "search entire posts".

  4. #4
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    Forgot to add that I also replaced rear wheel bearings in the last year or so.

    When jacked up and I spin any wheel I don't feel or hear any wheel bearing noise or feel any play.

    Would wheel bearings be intermittent? Wouldn't the noise change with wheel speed (it isn't)?

    It's not very rhythmic, seems a bit random.
    Last edited by john318is; 11-20-2018 at 07:03 PM.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    1998 318is DASC
    I jacked the car up again and had a better look at each corner.

    I can't feel any movement when rocking each wheel.

    The rear sway bar links show a little cracking in the rubber but I can't see any movement in the links or the bushes when moving with a pry bar.

    The front sway bar links show some deformation of the rubber bushes. See photo. This isn't normal, is it?

    Rear link:
    WP_20181115_004.jpg

    Front links:
    WP_20181121_003.jpg
    WP_20181121_004.jpg

    Front bush:
    WP_20181121_006.jpg
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
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  6. #6
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    Does the sound change with wet or damp pavement? Vs dry? I am chasing a popcorn sound in the right rear on mine. Again no speed relation. I also have new wheel bearings. I am going to follow this thread and wish you luck. Oh mine is mostly in the wet only.
    1998 328ic

  7. #7
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    Change the front lower ARB links, they are at least past their best and can knock against the bracket
    No warranty of any kind implied or given and no liability for any loss, damage or injury, no matter how incurred accepted.

  8. #8
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    Abnormal suspension knocking noise on E36 coupe

    Quote Originally Posted by E36328Coupe View Post
    Change the front lower ARB links, they are at least past their best and can knock against the bracket
    Disconnect one side completely and does the noise go away?


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  9. #9
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    In the video it's not a tapping sound like he describes, it's a Wa Wa Wa Wa sound.
    Attn. NEWBIES: Use the search feature, 98% has already been discussed.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mike318 View Post
    Does the sound change with wet or damp pavement? Vs dry? I am chasing a popcorn sound in the right rear on mine. Again no speed relation. I also have new wheel bearings. I am going to follow this thread and wish you luck. Oh mine is mostly in the wet only.
    I haven't noticed but it hasn't rained much here for a while. I will try an pay attention next time it does.

    I'm going to try the sway bar links, even though it's not making any different noise when going over bumps.

    I will report back here with any changes after replacing the links.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric93se View Post
    In the video it's not a tapping sound like he describes, it's a Wa Wa Wa Wa sound.
    Not sure that the video captured the sound well but I would describe it as a tapping/knocking/rattling type noise.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Disconnect one side completely and does the noise go away?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    They're had it, fix them. Have found the pins are sensitive to tightness and shift in the U shapes, usually dropping off a curb and click and nothing to be found levering. A complete removal may narrow it. Best move would be later style but probably needs strut and link swap etc.
    No warranty of any kind implied or given and no liability for any loss, damage or injury, no matter how incurred accepted.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by mike318 View Post
    Does the sound change with wet or damp pavement? Vs dry? I am chasing a popcorn sound in the right rear on mine. Again no speed relation. I also have new wheel bearings. I am going to follow this thread and wish you luck. Oh mine is mostly in the wet only.
    It rained today so I was able to check and the answer is no - no difference in the noise from dry to wet roads.

    My sway bar links have arrived so I will be fitting those when I can find some time.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
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  13. #13
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    Take a look at the front swaybar mount, I had to replace one for a friend. Somehow it got crushed. Cut it out and welded a new one in. I'm not a very good welder as uh ou can see.

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  14. #14
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    Ive also had to replace a swaybar mount. Mine rusted and then ripped apart. You'll get a much better weld if you prep the metal first. Grind all the paint off where the seam will be, and wipe it clean with isopropyl alcohol first.

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  15. #15
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    I finally changed the front sway bar links today but I still have the same noise.

    The new links did make a big difference to how the the car feels though. So well worth replacing these if they look worn.
    Last edited by john318is; 12-17-2018 at 03:47 PM.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  16. #16
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    I still have this problem and it is getting worse.

    There is a bit of a rumbing noise noticable most of the time, particular the faster I go.

    There is this popping noise (that you can here in the video in the first post) that happens on and off but most of the time. It might vary based on road surface but hard to say. This goes away around left hand corners.

    Around long left hand corners at highway speeds a rumbling noise builds up.

    I checked my records and I see that the rear wheel bearings were actually replaced back in 2014 and 75,000 km ago (46,000 miles), so are older than I thought. I'm not sure what brand was fitted and they may not be good quality.

    I'm beginning to think that it may be the rear wheel bearings again. Are there any definitive tests? I can't feel any movement or rumbling with the car on a jack.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  17. #17
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    Abnormal suspension knocking noise on E36 coupe

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric93se View Post
    In the video it's not a tapping sound like he describes, it's a Wa Wa Wa Wa sound.
    Cupped tires?


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    Last edited by bluptgm3; 06-05-2020 at 01:06 PM.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Cupped tires.
    Thanks for the suggestion... I couldn't see anything unusual with the rear tyre treads, so I swapped both rear wheels/tyres with spares and took it for a drive and the noise was still there (although it changed a little).

    I wasn't previously sure it was the rears but when I drive with the rear seats folded down it is much noisier so am pretty confident it is the rear now.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  19. #19
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    is there nothing in your spare wheel well vibrating or rattling, , not the stock jack or something ?
    is your exhaust also properly mounted, not swaying from side to side or resonating ?

    rear shocks & mounts all in good condition ?, possibly no rubber pads on your springs ?

    just throwing some ideas out there

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by SimonJD View Post
    is there nothing in your spare wheel well vibrating or rattling, , not the stock jack or something ?
    is your exhaust also properly mounted, not swaying from side to side or resonating ?

    rear shocks & mounts all in good condition ?, possibly no rubber pads on your springs ?

    just throwing some ideas out there
    Some good advice, thanks. I have been a bit fixated on thinking this is a suspension issue but I could be wrong. I will make a more thorough check of other things.

    I did replace rear shock mounts not too long ago when trying to fix this issue. Also fitted the rear springs myself so I know they have the rubber pads and I did check that they were seated okay last time I was investigating this problem.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  21. #21
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    Conclusion to the problem: replaced one rear wheel hub and bearing. Bearing was okay but the hub was a bit bent. This probably happened when the wheel bearing was previously replaced as the mechanic had a lot of trouble getting it out last time and probably damaged it.
    Now: 1998 E36 318is coupe (supercharged) Past: 1997 E36 318is sedan; 1991 E36 325i sedan; 1994 E36 318is; 1990 E30 318is; 1995 E36 M3; 1990 E30 318is
    My BMW 3 Series Blog | DASC Owners Group on Facebook | Car Magazine Collector | Auto Books and Manuals | 1984 Australian Cannonball Cup

  22. #22
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