Z4 Rattling : Broken Spring?

HEADRAT · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:31

Hi,

My Z4 3.0 SE (2003) has developed an annoying rattling sound, I thought it migh have been due to a broken mounting on the undertray so I've taken that off but the rattling persists!

It's not that loud just a "chattering" sound while going over bumps, uneven roads etc, on smooth roads there's no noise, handling doesn't seem affected.

Just wondered if anybody here had similar?

Cheers

HEADRAT

West · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:33

Do you know where abouts in the car it's coming from? Perhaps somewhere in the dashboard?

HEADRAT · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:37

It's pretty hard to pinpoint actually which is annoying in itself

Sometimes it sound like it's coming from the rear of the car, I think broken rear spring are a common fault so I wondered if this struck a cord with somebody.

West · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:39

HEADRAT said:
It's pretty hard to pinpoint actually which is annoying in itself

Sometimes it sound like it's coming from the rear of the car, I think broken rear spring are a common fault so I wondered if this struck a cord with somebody.

I can see how that's annoying, I do remember seeing somewhere as you say that the rear springs are a common fault with them, do you have any sort of warrenty left with BMW for them to take a look? otherwise if it's that annoying it maybe worth paying to at least let thjem have a look..

HEADRAT · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:40

I have a Warranty Direct warranty on the car, looks like I will have to book it in for a check.

mr tommo · 19 Mar 2009 at 14:59

I get this over big bumps, not a rattling sound though so Im not entirely sure if its normal or not. Ive got reciepts from the previous owner for 2 rear springs last summer.

HEADRAT · 19 Mar 2009 at 15:01

Nah this is almost all the time, it's not normal

Bumpy road, rattle rattle rattle rattle!! not nice

mr tommo · 19 Mar 2009 at 15:04

At least it drowns out the squeak squeak squeak from the wind deflector...Or is that just mine??

mjt · 19 Mar 2009 at 15:29

a broken spring would make a metallic thud, not a rattle

HEADRAT · 19 Mar 2009 at 15:39

mr tommo said:
At least it drowns out the squeak squeak squeak from the wind deflector...Or is that just mine??

Nah that's normal

Wolfchild · 19 Mar 2009 at 16:22

if front could be the shock

sounds same as noise from my 330 and thats what it was plus arb bushes.

both replaced at same time as both worn so cant say which caused most of the noise but all sorted now

jon.bda · 19 Mar 2009 at 19:25

Have done arb links on a Z4 recently...also the auto headlight adjuster widget on the front suspension had siezed and broken, that was knocking against something iirc...

loltim · 19 Mar 2009 at 19:54

So your BMW's are rattling and squeaking? Could have bought a Honda for that

iaind · 19 Mar 2009 at 20:01

mjt said:
a broken spring would make a metallic thud, not a rattle

Depends where it's broken. I had a spring snap near the bottom and it was a very very loud rattle.

Should be pretty easy to check on the front, bit harder on the rear though

jon.bda · 19 Mar 2009 at 20:02

Tim said:
So your BMW's are rattling and squeaking? Could have bought a Peugeot for that

Fixed!.

HEADRAT · 20 Mar 2009 at 11:51

Had it up on a four post lift, everything was given a good wiggle and springs are fine but the annoying rattle persists, it sounds like it could be coming from under the dashboard somewhere.

I've wanted to give my local BMW Independant a try so I've booked it into:-

http://www.benstenmotors.co.uk/services.php

St Ives (Cambridgeshire) to let them have a look.

HEADRAT

Fido McNasty · 20 Mar 2009 at 22:37

I can guarantee if your z4 had broken a spring it would sit unevenly. They invariably break the bottom one or two loops which may remain within the spring bowl area. Many BMW models across the range through the decades can have a natural lean to them but a broken spring would be fairly obvious visually when stationary on a relatively flat surface. Have a look.

Failing that we might have a loose handbrake or braking component or perhaps an exhaust bracket/hanger, a wheel center badge retaining spring (non oem wheels such as alpina reps etc).

I guess it must be fairly loud if you can hear it over ambient noise with roof up or down.

edit: Ah I see your last post. Hope they find it.

[TW]Fox · 20 Mar 2009 at 22:39

Tim said:
So your BMW's are rattling and squeaking? Could have bought a Honda for that

The Z4 drives me mad with its rattles and squeeks. It's a bit ridiculous really.

Fido McNasty · 20 Mar 2009 at 22:43

[TW]Fox;13722997 said:
The Z4 drives me mad with its rattles and squeeks. It's a bit ridiculous really.

I bet you just love tourings then hoho... boink rattle sqeak boink rattle squeak etc.

TaKeN · 20 Mar 2009 at 22:55

I had an annoying rattle/chattering on my 306, took me ages to work out what it was,

Loose front wheel weight!

Such a small thing making that much noise