Something loose in rear

[dwonda]

Hey guys, something has worked itself loose in the rear of my car, and i notice it when either going from reverse to forward, i know i am in need of new engine mounts, and my suspension is completely OEM, well except for my inner and outer tie rods int he front, and the sound is like this clunk, i also notice it when the car is just sitting their, sometimes i can get it to make the clunk if my clutch is out and i move the shifter from neutral to almost 1st gear and back to almost in 2nd gear, not to sure what is it, any ideas?

[e30Matt]

Check your diff bushing and mounting bolts. I bet they're either loose and/or gone. Either that or subframe bushings.

[dwonda]

wow, i would expect most people to say u joints which i'm happy to hear your not, i've heard sub-frame bushings many times, but where exactly are they located? and how do you tie in my diff into what i described when i shift almost in to 1st or second, what exactly is going on here lol. thanks your help, it's always appreciated.

[clutterbucker]

SubFrame bushings suck. Take off the brakes, axles, trailing arms, and there you have your subframe bushings...basically right around the stand-points right in front of your rear wheels. From what I remember they're about the size of a clneched fist...well, a small fist.
I'm not sure about the diff bushing thing.
Good luck man, I hear a new clunk every day, so I know what you're going through.

[dwonda]

SubFrame bushings suck. Take off the brakes, axles, trailing arms, and there you have your subframe bushings...basically right around the stand-points right in front of your rear wheels. From what I remember they're about the size of a clneched fist...well, a small fist.
I'm not sure about the diff bushing thing.
Good luck man, I hear a new clunk every day, so I know what you're going through.

Thanks.

[Ryan Stewart]

If it is your subframe bushings, which I doubt it is. You dont have to do all that. You can try first jsut lowering the entire subframe itself and pulling the bushing out. A torch works if everything else fails. Get urethane ones.

I would, like said, start looking at the diff mounts. I wouldnt writeoff play in the u-joint or even play in the diff.

[dwonda]

writeoff? you mean you wouuldn't expect play in the u joints or differential, or you wouldn't ignore those things being it?

[KenC]

write-off = ignore

[dwonda]

ah, is that pic of yours stretched? the roof looks long and lower or something like a sedan, not specifically an E30 sedan because they don't really look different but it's jsut mroe sedan looking.

[KenC]

is that pic of yours stretched?

No. The car is lowered about 2" front and rear.

[dwonda]

wow, makes a big difference, are you wanting some euro or plastic bumper's as much i am, the diving board bumpers seem to stick out more on cars that arn't black, i really wish i could find some euro bumper's, taht way i wouldn't have to worry about paint, i believe the euro's are chrome instead of brushed aluminum, and are tucked in more, is that right?

[KenC]

I have a pair of euro bumpers at my house. I'm going to paint them body color when i get my tax return check. I also have an Mtech I front airdam.

[dwonda]

sweet, so your painting the chrome, why?

[KenC]

sweet, so your painting the chrome, why?

because i think they'll look better and more modern body color

[dwonda]

well to each his own i suppose.