Knocking sound at rear of car 323i

[Tscotten]

Good day all

I need advice pls. I have a knocking , sounds like something is loose...but i have looked and checked and NOTHING...someone told me its go something to do with the wheels...or something on the suspension...its starts at round 60km ...pls advise before i go to a mechanic and he talks a hole in my head...

much apprecaited...:dunno:

 

[msm]

Next time, it goes knock, knock .... ask who's there

Anyway, on a more serious note, take the car to anyone that does alignment for a quick check.

 

[Nic_s]

Could be side shafts or maybe shock mounts... someone with more knowledge might no more. Best would be to have it checked out. :thumb:

 

[freerider]

Is it a constant knocking or only when you change gears etc?

 

[Tscotten]

Is it a constant knocking or only when you change gears etc?

constant knocking...gets worse the faster i go

---

Could be side shafts or maybe shock mounts... someone with more knowledge might no more. Best would be to have it checked out. :thumb:

awesome...thanks I will go do just that!

---

Next time, it goes knock, knock .... ask who's there

Anyway, on a more serious note, take the car to anyone that does alignment for a quick check.

i will die of heart failure if someone answers back!!!!:clap: thanks i shall do so!!

u guys are GREAT!!...just wat every chick needs...a walking talking BMW manual..giehie

 

[Jandre]

I with NicS, would guess shocks, shockmounts, might even be sideshafts.

 

[Tscotten]

I with NicS, would guess shocks, shockmounts, might even be sideshafts.

ok so now i know what i should be looking at ...erm what the hell are side shafts? wait i will google that ...giehie....

 

[Hellas]

My guesses:

Worst case first. Not likely, but depending on the history of the car, it could be the rear subframe ripping from the body. Flawed design especially in the early USA spec model E46's, not so much in the EURO spec models, but it does occur. Easy to spot if you have the car on a lift.

Easier guess is the wheel bearing, since the sound gets worse the faster you go. If indeed the knocking noise goes faster as you accelerate, then the bearing is worth a look. But the bearing should make the same noise below 60km/h too.

You are vague on the 'getting worse' part. If you mean louder, then have a look at the shocks and suspension. An out of balance tyre can also create unharmonious sounds with the suspension. Have a look at the shock mounts.

For all this you can go to a Speedy or Kwikfit that do a free check for faults. If you are unsure, get two or three different opinions or ask to have a fellow fanatic help you out in your area. :thumbsup:

 

[Tscotten]

My guesses:

Worst case first. Not likely, but depending on the history of the car, it could be the rear subframe ripping from the body. Flawed design especially in the early USA spec model E46's, not so much in the EURO spec models, but it does occur. Easy to spot if you have the car on a lift.

Easier guess is the wheel bearing, since the sound gets worse the faster you go. If indeed the knocking noise goes faster as you accelerate, then the bearing is worth a look. But the bearing should make the same noise below 60km/h too.

You are vague on the 'getting worse' part. If you mean louder, then have a look at the shocks and suspension. An out of balance tyre can also create unharmonious sounds with the suspension. Have a look at the shock mounts.

For all this you can go to a Speedy or Kwikfit that do a free check for faults. If you are unsure, get two or three different opinions or ask to have a fellow fanatic help you out in your area. :thumbsup:

OMG ..lets start with not worst case ...mm?...giehie...ok so long and short take it to a speedy or Hi q etc...i shall do so ...maar as hulle n gat in my kop praat ...i will be back...then maybe we can all go visit the "specialists" lmao.....and getting worse i mean louder....and i do not hear the sound below 60km....but i shall go ask ...and come tell u what the "experts" say...giehie

thanks guys ...MWAH ...TASH:wave:

---

I with NicS, would guess shocks, shockmounts, might even be sideshafts.

ok so now i know what i should be looking at ...erm what the hell are side shafts? wait i will google that ...giehie....

GUESS WHAT I KNOW WHAT SIDESHAFTS ARE...AND MORE TO THE POINT I KNOW WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.... AND DO!!!!!!HA HA HA HA HA :excited:

 

[Hoffi]

hi guys
the worst case scenario here (rear subframe ripping from the body) seems like something to be a bit concerned about for an e46 owner i know it is in the early USA spec model E46's and not so much in the EURO spec models. how does one find out your car is euro spec and was there ever a recall or warning issued by BMW for this fault.

 

[Tscotten]

hi guys
the worst case scenario here (rear subframe ripping from the body) seems like something to be a bit concerned about for an e46 owner i know it is in the early USA spec model E46's and not so much in the EURO spec models. how does one find out your car is euro spec and was there ever a recall or warning issued by BMW for this fault.

omw U ARE RIGHT...HOW WOULD I kNOW WHICH SPEC IT IS?!?!?!?!:dunno:

 

[Fordkoppie]

In my case it was a combination of the propshaft centerbearing and the CV on the back of the prop.

 

[Sankekur]

Wasn't this subframe problem only on the early e46's?

 

[Jandre]

The rear subframe issue came up on the 1999 e46 328i mainly. Some issues in US mostly, we know of the odd one here in SA. Think e46jase had something like this.

BMW kept quiet on this as far as I know. Somewhere on this forum is a hugh debate around this topic.

 

[Sankekur]

I remember reading that, afterwards I asked our mechanic about our 1999 e46 328i, in his opinion everything was still fine, whew

This 323i in question here is an e36 so I doubt will have this subframe problem.

 

[Nic_s]

In my case it was a combination of the propshaft centerbearing and the CV on the back of the prop.

hmm... didn't think of that. Could be worn center bearing not doing it's job anymore. When mine failed it also made a knocking noise, but only when I accelerate.

Best would be do have someone lift the car and check all these things, specifically all the rubber mountings.

 

[Hoffi]

sweet, once again peace of mind regained. thank you

 

[Tscotten]

sweet, once again peace of mind regained. thank you

PHEW!!!!!!!!:dropjaw:..OK I KNOW thanks alot guys u r all stars for your help!!...ME GONNA GO STARIGHT TO hiQ AFTER ME GET OFF ME LAZY BUTT AND I WILL COME BACK AND TELL U WHAT I HAVE MANAGED TO FIND OUT...:thumbsup:

 

[Hellas]

Matt Q also had the subframe failure on his 2004/5? M3, but we all know that it was definitely not stock power going through that drive-train

 

[Sankekur]

Matt Q also had the subframe failure on his 2004/5? M3, but we all know that it was definitely not stock power going through that drive-train

I think the emphasis here should be on the "not stock power" part, that makes a big difference