E9X Suspension squeaking over bumps

veer90

Lieutenant
Nov 16, 2016
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West Nyack, NY
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e90 335i 6MT
So my rear suspension squeaks over speed bumps, potholes, etc. Yesterday we had a snowstorm in NY and I dug my car out from under 1.5 feet of snow... lo and behold it stopped squeaking. Update: humidity related, has nothing to do with the weight of the snow.

A mechanic friend said the top hats might be worn and causing the noise. Otherwise the car launches, turns, and stops perfectly. What do you guys think?

I replaced all the arms in the rear except for the main lower spring / shock perch (M3 control arms, rogue engineering toe arms, and ECS billet trailing arms). Recently just checked all the bolts and all were tight. KW V3 coilovers with about 20k miles and no signs of leaking shocks.
 
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doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
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AZ
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2009 E93 335i
Was the snow heavy enough to make it squat? If not, the only thing I can think of is some sort of moisture lubrication?
 

NoQuarter

Major
Nov 24, 2017
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Indiana, USA
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Z4 35is, 535xi, X5 35i
On the 5 series, in the front, it is always the front sway bar bushings that squeak in the cold.

Not sure if it helps but may get you thinking of something similar
 
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veer90

Lieutenant
Nov 16, 2016
1,000
774
0
West Nyack, NY
Ride
e90 335i 6MT
Update: seems to be humidity related, not related to the weight of the snow. It's been raining on and off here for the past few weeks and it stops making noise for a few days after it rains.

When it dries out it will always start squeaking again. Spring/shock perches, or main carrier bushings?
 

NoQuarter

Major
Nov 24, 2017
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1,066
0
Indiana, USA
Ride
Z4 35is, 535xi, X5 35i
Update: seems to be humidity related, not related to the weight of the snow. It's been raining on and off here for the past few weeks and it stops making noise for a few days after it rains.

When it dries out it will always start squeaking again. Spring/shock perches, or main carrier bushings?


Didn't matter, new or not. Try some lube in the sway bar bushings; easy enough to try.
 

Rob09msport

Major
Oct 28, 2017
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Monroe CT
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09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
Wondering how you fared. Also do you have adjustable end links and you could loosen and retorque all arms in rear as they should be loaded when installed. I never knew this until this platform and assume many others don't as well.
 

Rob09msport

Major
Oct 28, 2017
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Monroe CT
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09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
Curious what grease you used some say marine grease but Mobil 1 synthetic says won't wash away either and Is suitable for more applications ie wheel bearings
 

Jeffman

Major
Jan 7, 2017
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My PowerFlex bushings for my front control arm came with silicone grease, FYI.