stabilizer bar bushings

T

tablet

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#1
I have a 97 328i (60000 mi on the odo). Lately, I have been hearing a clinking noise whenever I go over bumps. It happens about 70% of the time. Is this related to the stabilizer bar bushings?

If yes, what exactly needs to be replaced? The whole stabilizer bar unit or just the bushings?

What is involved with replacing the whole stabilizer bar unit or just the bushings?
 
E

epj3

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#2
tablet said:
I have a 97 328i (60000 mi on the odo). Lately, I have been hearing a clinking noise whenever I go over bumps. It happens about 70% of the time. Is this related to the stabilizer bar bushings?

If yes, what exactly needs to be replaced? The whole stabilizer bar unit or just the bushings?

What is involved with replacing the whole stabilizer bar unit or just the bushings?
Click to expand...
Get your rear subframe checked out first of all - e36's are known to have the body literally crack and or fall apart.

But honestly this sounds like a strut bearing (front) or shock mount (rear).

Stabilizer bar bushings are probably not bad. I'd bes urprised if they were - my 88 325is had the OEM bushings and they sure didn't make noise.
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

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270,000 miles on my original stabilizer bar bushings and they are still 100% quiet. I think epj nailed it. If the noise is coming from the rear of the car, the most likely cause is bad rear upper shock mounts - they are an inexplicably poorly designed part on all BMWs.
 
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tablet

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My car had been upgraded with HR springs and Bilsteine sport shocks as well as new rear shock mounts at 50000 mi. the subframe is also completely intact.
 
bmw555

bmw555

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epj3 said:
Get your rear subframe checked out first of all - e36's are known to have the body literally crack and or fall apart.
Click to expand...
Interesting... never heard of it, is it sedan-only problem? Coupes should have much stiffer body
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

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bmw555 said:
Interesting... never heard of it, is it sedan-only problem? Coupes should have much stiffer body
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Nope, it's all E36 cars. If the car is driven hard, the rear subframe can rip the mounting points out of the body.

I think the sedans actually have a stiffer body anyways.
 
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epj3

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bmw555 said:
Interesting... never heard of it, is it sedan-only problem? Coupes should have much stiffer body
Click to expand...
Yup, what justin said - and even the Z3's had the problem (seemed to be worse in the Z3 than the normal E36's). The M's had reinforcements from the factory.
 
bmw555

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jrt67ss350 said:
Nope, it's all E36 cars. If the car is driven hard, the rear subframe can rip the mounting points out of the body.

I think the sedans actually have a stiffer body anyways.
Click to expand...
I see, it has nothing to do with body rigidity then, it's just a bolt subframe mounting. But what do you mean under "driven hard"? taking sharp turns? I like to burn some rubber occasionally

P.S. coupes should have more rigid body btw
 
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