2010 E70 X5 - Squeaking Noise from rear of car

[Sm[]key]

My car has been suffering from a ‘squeaking’ noise when travelling and is noticeable when a low speeds with windows open.

I assumed it was my rear heat shields under the boot moving, I removed these however the squeaking is still there.

I jacked the rear up and took the wheels off, and used a long bar to replicate movement when driving but nothing seen.

Any ideas what the issue could be?

[Greydog]

Rear rose bushes with the suspension inflated nothing moves try standing on the sill and rocking the car side to side
The next symptom will be increased camber and inner tyre wear

[Sm[]key]

Well the squeaking noise is much worse now, got someone to jump up and down on the sill whilst under car, not sure if its:

- Shock Absorber
- Air suspension
- Shocker arm
- Control arm bush

The noise is that loud its very hard to locate.

[Leslie]

I know before one rear air spring was changed it did squeak a bit but your noise sounds like its louder than mine was

[Sm[]key]

Further investigation started this afternoon, started with the shock damper.

Not the easiest to get to when you have two extra rear seats in the boot!

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The centre of the damper does not appear to be central to the mount, I'm guess this is not normal and could be my squeaking problem? A lot of ground dust can be seen in the photo....

Anyone with experience of this?

[Sm[]key]

Had a look at the parts list on realoem, it would appear the bushes have disintegrated.

[Sm[]key]

Finally got parts and started with a few hours light left (bad idea!).

The bottom shocker bolt has sheared in the arm!

[Leslie]

They are tight , that's a bit of a nightmare now some drilling and tapping needed

[Sm[]key]

The squeaking caused a good amount of rubbing on the top mount, now have ferrule shaped indent in the mount. New mount needed....

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Back to my more immediate problem, it really astounds me that the designers don't put a carbon steel threaded inserts in the aluminium alloy wish bones, clearly naïve to salt induced oxidation.

Or maybe another Stealers ploy from BMW.....

[Greydog]

BMW and their Dealers will recommend changing the complete rear swing arm. I had it with the 4.4 E53 Inner swing arm bushes gone (no adjustment) Dealer solution New Suspension arm ? ££? I changed the bushes without removing the arms from the car. E53 4.6is Seized shock absorber bolt Dealer solution two new Shocks and Swing arms, I brought an induction heater, several applications of Heat and Penetrating fluid and some muscle from my son Bolt removed. E70 seems to be much rustier underneath than my E53 and the rear suspension is due a refurb so I am expecting a fight

[Sm[]key]

Had a good pal help out with his MIG Welding set tonight, welded a nut onto the end of the stud and then tried to undo with breaker bar. It snapped the stud material (not the weld) 5 times until no protruding stud was left. This sheared bolt is well and truly seized!

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Next plan of attack was to drill it out, managed to drill through fairly central to 10mm diameter successfully then ran out of bigger drill bit sizes.

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The bolt is a M14 x 1.5 x 103, planning to get 11mm and 12mm bits tomorrow and a M14 x 1.5 fine tap.

Wish me luck!

If that fails I will change the swing arm, however that will introduce further seize issues. Bolt induction heater already on order for this scenario.

[Leslie]

Heating befote removal will definately help but it sounds well siezed in your case , aluminium to steel in a damp climate id a disaster after a few winters.

[lezmtaylor]

When reassembling lubricate well all nuts,bolts,everything with waterproof grease will assist in dismantling (if ever required).


Lez

[Sm[]key]

The thing that's confusing me is these M14 bolts are 10.9 's. They shouldn't be that easy to shear.....