odd noise at rear of BMW 328 i

skintmostofthetime

Hi. Help. Getting an odd noise - sometimes it's metal on metal - sometimes it's not. We've tried the bearing but wary of trying too much else - expense !!!!

Any suggestions would be helpfull.
you've been great before !!

harveybobbles

Pads low...?

we used to a lot of the back plates on the 5 Series. Might have come loose?

AdrianHi

Worn out brake pads does seem most likely. Is it happening when you brake or all the time?

skintmostofthetime

sorry for late reply, been on holiday only just returned
noise is now metal on metal - wonder if it could be a rear wheel bearing - any ideas any one? - will check out rear brakes. cheers

Bufger

is it a rotational noise? is it constant through all speeds or just low etc? Does it happen during any particular manouvre or when braking or steering?

If you can give us some more info then that'd help. It does sound like brake pads at the moment but it would be obvious that the sound is really bad when you're braking. Also you would get a grinding noise when applying the handbrake. If its constant then the bearing could have been it. Or it could be the driveshafts as its a rear wheel drive car.

Let is know when its happening in particular as if its the driveshafts making the noise you may have worn them or have leaked CV fluid and dried them out. This could be expensive if left.

AdrianHi

Another though - is the car level - is there a broken spring at the rear suspension?
It's not uncommon on the E46 3 series as it gets older and not too expensive to fix.

matty538

AdrianHi wrote: »

Another though - is the car level - is there a broken spring at the rear suspension?
It's not uncommon on the E46 3 series as it gets older and not too expensive to fix.

This was mainly an E36 problem but im inclined to agree with you, though BMW 6cyl engines do have a tendanct to lean to the right (battery in the boot) check to see if part of the rear spring has broken off and is now rattling round in the bottom spring cup.

Also check the condition of the rear top mounts.

skintmostofthetime

Found out - in the end and cost £290 - feeeeew !!!

Brakes - looks like nowt done to them for some time - BUYER BEWARE - as they say. Oh well - all done now - hopefully nothing else for a while - but thanks to all for the suggestions - I knew yod come up trumps.
Thanks again.