e39 M5 creaking sound

[Patrick Bateman]

Not had a chance to get the new purchase up on a ramp yet so figure I'd ask here.

After the car is warmed up there's a creaking sound at low speed, generally manoeuvring speed, not much higher than that.

There's also a bit of vibration at 70, at 60 or 80 it's not as noticeable, not sure if they could be linked. It's a definite creak and not a clunk.

Suspension arms/bushes a possible source? I know the vibration can be from as little as the wheels needing re-balanced.

[DVandrews]

Patrick Bateman said:

Not had a chance to get the new purchase up on a ramp yet so figure I'd ask here.

After the car is warmed up there's a creaking sound at low speed, generally manoeuvring speed, not much higher than that.

There's also a bit of vibration at 70, at 60 or 80 it's not as noticeable, not sure if they could be linked. It's a definite creak and not a clunk.

Suspension arms/bushes a possible source? I know the vibration can be from as little as the wheels needing re-balanced.

Lower arm bush.

Dave

[Patrick Bateman]

Would that be number 6 here?-

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE93...

Any idea why it's only once the car seems to be warm and not at speed?

[Patrick Bateman]

Vajazzle said:

A creak manoeuvring at low speed is usually the strut top mount, if it's more noticable over speed bumps it's a bush. A vibration is generally wheels out of balance or worn/budget tyres just being st.

I'd considered the top mount as well after recently watching the wheeler dealers episode again.

Don't notice anything over a bump, it is just moving at low speed (that I can tell, although I'm not the best at noticing minor knocks).

If I was to replace the top mounts is there anything else you should replace at the same time or are the surrounding components usually re-usable?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE93...

[Patrick Bateman]

Bump stop?

I'll keep that in mind thanks.

[Patrick Bateman]

Thanks for that, I'll keep all that in mind.

[S3_Graham]

Patrick Bateman said:

Thanks for that, I'll keep all that in mind.

Crikey Patrick you don't fk about! What happened to your 530?

[Patrick Bateman]

fk all, brilliant car.

A certain itch kept getting bigger though and required immediate treatment.

There's a 530i Sport for sale if anyone's interested...

[cosworth330]

If your going to the trouble of renewing the top mounts you might aswell replace the front shocks as you will have to remove them, over about 80k miles and they will be worn out, i changed mine at about 112,000 miles and it made a lot of difference, the old ones were shot once off the car and i pushed them down they didn't come back up !

Simon.

[liquidsmoke]

+1 for the top mounts. I've recently fitted all new suspension arms and bushed including lower bushes. I have a creak thats started recently. I recon top mounts. Will probably treat the old girl to some new shocks and springs at the same time.

[quavey]

With regards to replacing shocks on an M5, is there an OEM alternative part? When I had the M3 I managed to find the correct part number manufactured by sachs just without the BMW part number on it. Does anyone know which are best rather than going to the main dealer for parts?

[Patrick Bateman]

Carparts4less seem to have them listed but out of stock. Unsure if they're definitely the right ones, if I could find the Sachs part number it would help.

Creak seems to be from the rear now as well although hard to pinpoint, hopefully just the top mounts.

[TJW]

I had a creak / squeek by my B pillar in the M5 a few years ago.

Turned out to be the door lock and the metal pin they rubbed so at carpark speeds you could hear it. Double sided felt on the door pin sorted that annoying creak.

Could be worth a try.

[Patrick Bateman]

I think it only does it after the car's warmed up a bit.

[eztiger]

How much are the top mounts?

I have this - replaced some of the other bushes and it made it better but still bad. Especially on a warm day.

Top mounts are the next try - though there are some other bits and bobs I want to get done so nice to know what I'm getting into price wise. I don't think it's particularly essential to do - just an annoying noise.

Easy enough to check it's the suspension and not the b-pillar. Let it get warm enough to start happening - park up and then bounce the front suspension by hand..

Patrick - I seem to be stalking all your e39 m5 threads at the moment. Sorry

[Patrick Bateman]

I've tried bouncing on the car, I can get a high pitched squeak doing it to the passenger side but it's a totally different sound.

It isn't there as soon as you're above a crawl in second gear, it's never when going over bumps though.

Top mounts are about £48 (front) and £35 (rear) excluding VAT from bmminiparts.

[eztiger]

Thanks for the pricing.

Does sound different to my issue then. Once things are warmed up (which can take a good 20-30 mins of driving) it's chronic on any bump etc. And certainly rocking the front of the car reveals it.

Of course mine may not be top mounts

[Patrick Bateman]

It's a pity you have to remove the spring and the rest to check, by which point I'm as well doing the shock absorbers while they're out.

[Aizle]

Patrick Bateman said:

I think it only does it after the car's warmed up a bit.

Thrust arms, mine did that when warm

[Patrick Bateman]

It's going in the garage on Wednesday to get the wiper drive rod replaced (having no wipers isn't particularly fun I have to say) and I've told them to have a look around the suspension and see if they can find anything obvious.

Am I right in saying the thrust arms are number 5 here-

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE92...

Carparts4less do Lemforder ones for £80 a pop which I suspect will be much lower than anywhere else.