Rear suspension problem

With reference to my other post about scrapping the car, here is the
problem with my rear suspension:

When driving over any bumps, the car rattles. I can describe the noise
as follows (bear with me). My father used to have a Bedford Rascal van
which he delivered wine in. To protect the floor, he put a loose sheet
of plywood on the bottom, which would clatter when you went over bumps.
My car sounds exactly the same, although I don't have a large sheet of
plywood in the back.

I've also lost confidence in the car's handling.

> When driving over any bumps, the car rattles. I can describe the noise
> as follows (bear with me). My father used to have a Bedford Rascal van
> which he delivered wine in. To protect the floor, he put a loose sheet
> of plywood on the bottom, which would clatter when you went over bumps.
> My car sounds exactly the same, although I don't have a large sheet of
> plywood in the back.
>
> I've also lost confidence in the car's handling.

Sounds very like subframe or trailing arm bushings.

--
Who needs a life when you've got Unix? :-)
Email: , John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
Web : http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
Need Sun or HP Unix kit? http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html

My 6er does the same think, I have pointed out the sub frame bushings.

AlF
"John Burns" > wrote in message
...
>> When driving over any bumps, the car rattles. I can describe the noise
>> as follows (bear with me). My father used to have a Bedford Rascal van
>> which he delivered wine in. To protect the floor, he put a loose sheet
>> of plywood on the bottom, which would clatter when you went over bumps.
>> My car sounds exactly the same, although I don't have a large sheet of
>> plywood in the back.
>>
>> I've also lost confidence in the car's handling.
>
> Sounds very like subframe or trailing arm bushings.
>
> --
> Who needs a life when you've got Unix? :-)
> Email: , John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
> Web : http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
> Need Sun or HP Unix kit? http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html

Sure it's not a loose spare wheel? If it's a 5 series the dog-bone links to
the rear axle are often over-looked.

Steve

"Robin" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> With reference to my other post about scrapping the car, here is the
> problem with my rear suspension:
>
> When driving over any bumps, the car rattles. I can describe the noise
> as follows (bear with me). My father used to have a Bedford Rascal van
> which he delivered wine in. To protect the floor, he put a loose sheet
> of plywood on the bottom, which would clatter when you went over bumps.
> My car sounds exactly the same, although I don't have a large sheet of
> plywood in the back.
>
> I've also lost confidence in the car's handling.
>

I dont know what model yours is....but BMW's are famous for ripping the
subframe mounts from the car. I have removed many a rear seat to reveal
broken welds and bracing where the subframe pins seat.

Mine is a 1993 E34 520i. I don't think the spare tyre would cause the
same handling problems. I'll have a look under the seat later today.

Robin wrote:
> Mine is a 1993 E34 520i. I don't think the spare tyre would cause the
> same handling problems. I'll have a look under the seat later today.
>

Ripped subframe mounts is a three series phenomenon. And it is *not* a
common one on cars that do not have 1) stiffened suspension and b) been
thrshed on the track / autocross circuits.

--
-Fred W