re: <E36> rear squeak!

[barrettn@xxxxxxxx (Barrett Nicholas)]

Rob: As far as troubleshooting the clanking sound from the front end,
I've found that if I drive alongside a concrete wall, the sound is
reflected back and it makes it a lot easier to pin down where it's
coming from. I usually use a road with concrete dividers, or go to a
parking garage (best for slow speed sounds, plus usually you can find
a section where you don't have to watch for traffic so much). There's
also what sounds like a really neat tool (haven't used it myself, but
it's on my wish list) - this was posted on another list I subscribe
to:

>On a related thought, in the A&I catalog I saw an "EngineEar", as well =
as a=20
>"ChassisEar", and two other devices.  They range from under $100 to over=
$200
>for capabilities such as 1) electronic stethoscope  2) multi-sensor =
stethoscope
>3) on-the-road driving stethoscope (16 ft. of wire for the engine bay or=
chassis
>to listen to wheel bearings., etc.)=20

A&I Supply (800) 382-2400 (good price on Lincoln floor jack also)

Sounds like a tool every dealer should have - wouldn't it be nice to
hook up a half dozen points, drive around while their technician
listens, and pinpoint where rattles, squeaks or other noises are
coming from!

hth,


Barrett N.
barrett.nicholas@domain.elided
Houston, Texas
BMWCCA# 130,000
'95 325i - CeeKay, the SuperCar
shark-infested (JimC chip)


>Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 10:01:58 -0500
>From: Rob Boucher <boucher@domain.elided>
>Subject: <E36> rear squeak!
>
>My 93 325is has a couple of problems. First, every time I drive=20
>over the railroad tracks or a small bump the car makes a "bird churping"=
=20
>or high squeak noise sound that seems to come from the the rear part of
>the
>car. Somewhere from the back driver's side of the car. I have ruled out
>the
>sunroof and engine compartment. So here are my questions....=20
>
>Has anyone else had this problem?  Are there any know problems with
>E36's and=20
>shock towers or something like that. What are some possible causes that
>I can=20
>investigate?
>
>Also, from the rear drivers side wheel sometimes I hear a clanking noise
>when I=20
>accelerate from a stop. It is a rhythmic clanking where the frequency
>increases=20
>with speed. The clanking is most noticeable during acceleration and
>seems to go=20
>away as my speed increases. I had old Helmut (friendly neighborhood
>German car guy)=20
>look at it and he said that there wasn't anything wrong. The problem
>comes and goes
>so I think that he just wasn't able to reproduce it while my car was in
>the shop.=20
>If anybody has any clue to what this might be let me know!
>
>Rob
>
>CCA Card Carrying Member of the Windy City Chapter

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