Rear suspension noise/klunk 95 e34 525i

[genphreak]

Dogbones only last a few years for me Shock mounts last a fair bit longer. The new Meyle HD ones are reinforced and claim better longevity. Dogbones/Pitman arms don't usually clunk like shock mounts can. Have you actually inspected the shock mounts?

You can remove a wheel and see if you can shake the shock piston near the top to see. Shine a light up won't really help you see them, to do that you need clean hands. Remove the rear seat top cushion, C pillar lights, covers and finally the parcel shelf and rubber shock mount seals/covers to really see them up close. For me, going to all that trouble necessitates having a spare set of new mounts in case they are toast- with all the interior items out of the car, it's a 10min job.

[Russell]

Dogbones only last a few years for me Shock mounts last a fair bit longer. The new Meyle HD ones are reinforced and claim better longevity. Dogbones/Pitman arms don't usually clunk like shock mounts can. Have you actually inspected the shock mounts?

You can remove a wheel and see if you can shake the shock piston near the top to see. Shine a light up won't really help you see them, to do that you need clean hands. Remove the rear seat top cushion, C pillar lights, covers and finally the parcel shelf and rubber shock mount seals/covers to really see them up close. For me, going to all that trouble necessitates having a spare set of new mounts in case they are toast- with all the interior items out of the car, it's a 10min job.

Thanks for the advice.
Yep, I suspect the mounts as well. Mine were replaced a couple of years ago with new struts.
So they can be replaced from the top side? That I did not know. Do you recomemnd a source for the shock mounts?

[Tiger]

Shock mount needs strut compressor to change it out.

[Russell]

Shock mount needs strut compressor to change it out.

Thank you, That's what I thought. Apparently I misunderstood genphreak's post.

[genphreak]

Yep. One bolt at the bottom, three at the top once he interior allows access and inspetion (through the rear window) of the shock mount and top nut.

The strut and spring assembly comes out as one. Depending on your spring compressor it can take longer than 10mins, but most are already loose as old springs are invariably sagged so already loose.

If replacing with lowered springs you don't need much compression- if any... IIRC the top nut can be started by hand.

[Russell]

Yep. One bolt at the bottom, three at the top once he interior allows access and inspetion (through the rear window) of the shock mount and top nut.

The strut and spring assembly comes out as one. Depending on your spring compressor it can take longer than 10mins, but most are already loose as old springs are invariably sagged so already loose.

If replacing with lowered springs you don't need much compression- if any... IIRC the top nut can be started by hand.

Thanks, I will put my new dogbones on and recheck for noise. The rear shock mounts have only been in about 36,000 miles. Bad already?

Side note. I may go ahead and recover my faded rear parcel shelf since it it needs to be removed to even check the struts. Tried to buy a new parchement parcel shelf no luck.

[Tiger]

Any good reupholstery shop can reline your rear deck to any way you want.

[Russell]

Any good reupholstery shop can reline your rear deck to any way you want.

Exactly

[Russell]

replaced the pitman arms. as I suspected, they were soft but did not have broken seals. The new ones were just a bit firmer. They did not help the thump/clunk sound I hear.

Could it be as simple as the old and stiff winter tread tires on the car? I will soon know as I am removing my winter tires/wheels next week and installing new Michelin Primacy MXV4 H rated tires.

[genphreak]

I know what you mean Russell, I find non-Z/V rated tyres better around town and in the wet (on 15 and 16s). Here in Aus it is technically illegal to fit them though. My favourites are Roadstones (aka Nexen) are good cheapies, high silica and incredible longevity/stickiness/wet weather action.

In 17s I've had good results with Dunlop Sports, Conti Sport or Michelin Primacy XM or LC or Pilot Sport if you want legal/go hard tyres. Kumho Ecstas are available too- not sure if they work well on e34 (the others are amazing though)