I'm worried about my subframe bushings...

[BigFurryWhale]

So my car is lowered on what the PO told me is Bilsteins and H&R springs (sports most likely). I haven't been able to confirm this yet, but I plan on it. Anyway, onto my question.

I've noticed alot lately that when I go over bumps in the road (fairly small bumps, slightly noticeable in other vehicles) that I get a lot of nasty bad noises coming from my car. It sounds like solid contact of something hitting something else. What the hell is going on here? I really know nothing about e30 suspension, and very little about e30's/cars in general. Could my suspension be in really bad shape? (I'm beginning to suspect that it is, and it scares me). How do I check to see what kind of condition stuff is in down there? Where can I find an "E30 suspension for dummies" type of thread, so I can start to think this through.

[PiercedE30]

It may be your exhaust bouncing around.

......Or you can just turn up your radio to cancel out the noises........

[T.Dot_E30]

Could be a couple things.

Check the Rear Shock Mounts, those are made of rubber and are a known weak point.

They can be replaced with solid ones or e46 ones.

or it could be something else....could be anything really, without lookin at it or hearing it we can only guess.

[NC325iC]

is it from the front of back,

if its in front it may be the gland nut (it holds the shock down in the tube) it makes a loud clunking noise if its not tight enough, easy enough to tighten get a set of channel locks (pretty big ones) jack up the front of the car reach your hand between the coils of the spring (not alot of room) pull up on the boot (should be blue for billies) under the boot you should see a goldish colored nut with the shock running through it, grab it with the c-locks and tighten it as much as you can.

if its in the rear i would also say its the rear shock mounts, though mine usually make more of a squeeking noise than clunking

[MikeE30325i]

.
......Or you can just turn up your radio to cancel out the noises........

Like me....;)

[MikesJo]

When I go over bumps I go over them slowly cause the subframe bushings are shot. Sounds like metal on metal w/ no bushings, lol and the rear is a bit loose.

[BigFurryWhale]

Interesting... I'm hoping to check under neath there ASAP.

[BigFurryWhale]

How hard would rear shock mounts be to do myself? I've got very minor automotive abilities and limited space/time/tools to work on stuff, but I'm eager to learn.

[Kilomph]

How hard would rear shock mounts be to do myself? I've got very minor automotive abilities and limited space/time/tools to work on stuff, but I'm eager to learn.

Rear shock mounts are very easy to replace, 1-10 they'd be a 1. Buy a Bently manual.

[325iCabrio]

Like me....;)

You have a working radio? :p