clunking noise from rear of e46 m3?

[XTR2steve]

Any1 familiar with such an issue? has done 76k, is a 03, owned from new - no previous accidents. had the rear springs replaced last year, anti-roll bar bushes are ok, just had top mount bushes replaced, as i thought that was problem due to a couple being split, but not so! the clunking is still there and seems to be getting worse, like bearing wear of some kind. o yes, and the rear diff carrier is ok (i know this can be an issue for this car). noise only happens at low speed when suspension not heavily loaded and generally immediately after the shock absorber 'rebound'. and had the suspension arm bushes checked - seem ok too. my local body shop which my friend owns, is the local bmw approved repair center, and has carried out the checks mentioned. they think might be prop shaft bearing, but all the heat shielding has to be removed to check. so here i am, in case any1 has experience of such an issue ..... thanks.

[obscene]

I doubt this is it but worth getting looked at if it's going up on the ramps, rear subframe.

[XTR2steve]

obscene said:

I doubt this is it but worth getting looked at if it's going up on the ramps, rear subframe.

thanks for reply - i figure they'd have come across that pretty quickly at the body shop. it was up on ramp for half hour while they pushed and poked about, but i will ask them.

[Dave Dax builder]

RTA (Rear Trailing Arm) bushes. You won't be able to tell with a pry bar, you'll just have to pull them out and replace them. You can get RTA bush limiter kits which will give them longer life and drastically improve rear end stability.
There are a number of places that sell them. I think someone called Simpson Motorsport might be able to help (I am not connected to this company).
A few cars have been known to tear the diff mounts on the chassis, but this is very rare and was (i believe) addressed in later cars.

[buggalugs]

Just thought you guys might get a laugh out of this:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948...

[XTR2steve]

thanks Dave Dax, just spoke with my man and he reckons that would figure too - nice1.

[gaz1234]

i know this is an old thread but did u manage to ge to the bottom of this problem? sounds like a similar problem to what i have...
thx

[CarBuff33]

Not sure if it's related to your problem, but I was also experiencing some noise coming from somewhere in the rear of my E46 M3. The issue resolved itself (--> no more noise) over time, I think after a month or so.

[gaz1234]

was lose hand brake shoes, sorted now

[XTR2steve]

Yes ... it was a broken rear spring. Common fault on oe fitment. I had them replaced 2 years 30k odd before, after similar fault. Unfortunately, the local official BMW repair centre missed it! The spring can fracture without any outwardly noticeable visible signs ... generally comes apart if vehicle is unweighted eg jacked for new tyres or whatever. Hope this helps

[XTR2steve]

Oh lol ... just read your more recent post! Oh well, i'll leave it posted as it might help someone oneday.