Rear sub-frame bushes "soft" - cause "creaking" in rear ? 2003 4.4i

[RoShamBo]

Hi all,

Had a creaking coming from the rear for a while, started off now and then and now seems to be creaking when pulling away (but not so much when going over bumps oddly)

Anyway, car was having a service recently and "soft" rear sub frame bushes were noted.

Would soft bushes cause the creaking (best word to describe it as its not really a knocking sound)

I guess I need to get them replaced anyway at some point - if it cures it that will be a bonus !

Any thoughts / comments welcome

Thanks

Ro.

[Raj]

The rear subframe bushes can cause creaking but usuall te best test for those being an issue is to keep your foot on the brake and change gear from drive to reverse and vice versa. You will hear a clunk which is usually the tell tell sign for subframe bushes.

I'd check rear ball joints though as they tend to be a bit more of a common issue for creaking.

[davesavage257]

I second Raj on this, mine was creaking as I pulled away and over bumps, changed the rear ball joints on Saturday and all is quiet now, and the rear camber seems more square visually.  The joints that came off were well and truly worn.
I took loads of pics and I'm planning to do a 'how to' write up.

Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

[RoShamBo]

Thanks guys - my mechanic took it for a drive and he is pretty sure its bushes, but he's prepared for anything so when it goes in next week fingers crossed I will be creak free !

It's odd because it tends to happen with movement of the car (turning, stopping, moving away) rather than over bumps where it doesn't seem to make the noise much.

[Raj]

To me definitely sounds more like the rear ball joints.

[RoShamBo]

Had the 4 rear sub frame bushes changed for Powerflex ones and bingo - knocking has gone !

Has them check the ball joints and seem ok.

Ro.

[Sanj]

You're shit at this mechanical diagnosis (like me) Raj!  )

[Raj]

[quote="Sanj"]
You're shit at this mechanical diagnosis (like me) Raj!  )
[/quote]

N'ah just you...

[Smeeagain]

I've noticed, but only when the windows are down, that i have the rear creak.

RoShamBo Can you tell me what you paid to have this done?

Can anyone give an indication of cost to get rear ball joint done if it's that (indy prices not main dealer!)

Smee

[RoShamBo]

Hi Smee,

Sure - I had the 4 rear sub-frame mounting bushes replaced with Powerflex bushes and cost was £ 480 plus vat (£280 for the 4 bushes and £200 labour)

At the same time I had the 2 front thrust arm bushes replaced with Powerflex - this cost was £ 145 plus vat (£70 for the 2 bushes and £75 labour) This fixed a wobble in the steering at around 60mph.

I am in Surrey and the work was done by Phoenix Motorsport - http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/index.php

...who were recommended by several people.

In the last few weeks they have done the bushes, water pump, front CV gaiters, gearbox oil & oil cooler thermostat. All work done to an excellent standard.

Cheers,

Ro.

[Raj]

I did the rear subframe bushes myself. Used Powerflex bushes and hired the tool from phoenixmotorsports.

The rear balljoints again can be done yourself. I have the original BMW tool if you want to hire it. A few peeps have and they said it wasn't too hard using it.

[Raj]

£200 + vat for labour on the rear subframe bushes. Glad I just hired the tool from them and did myself. Took me about 3 hours total.

[RoShamBo]

I would end up breaking everything if I even attempted to do it myself.
Fitting a set of floor mats is about my limit.

[Sanj]

Get Raj to do it - if you're near him...

[Smeeagain]

[quote="RoShamBo"]
Hi Smee,

Sure - I had the 4 rear sub-frame mounting bushes replaced with Powerflex bushes and cost was £ 480 plus vat (£280 for the 4 bushes and £200 labour)

At the same time I had the 2 front thrust arm bushes replaced with Powerflex - this cost was £ 145 plus vat (£70 for the 2 bushes and £75 labour) This fixed a wobble in the steering at around 60mph.

I am in Surrey and the work was done by Phoenix Motorsport - http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/index.php

...who were recommended by several people.

In the last few weeks they have done the bushes, water pump, front CV gaiters, gearbox oil & oil cooler thermostat. All work done to an excellent standard.

Cheers,

Ro.
[/quote]


That's great, thanks

Smee