how can i tell my rear strut brgs are bad?

[der affe]

chasing a rear end clunk when shifting/ letting out the clutch...poly rear bushings..good shape/almost new...trans mts. stock but in good shape and bolted tightly...driveshaft brgs seem tight and ok....rear diff mount seems ok...rear sub frame isn't cracked...engine has BMP solid/poly mounts they are tight...cv joints are tight...that seems to leave either the diff/ring gear needing to be reshimmed, or the rear strut mounts. they are stock rubber type and i have bilstein sports w/ h&r springs and h&r rear swaybar. the strut brgs don't seem to be cracked (the rubber); do they just get streched out or what? what are the advantages of the solid type of strut brg, other than less compliance?
thanks,
greg

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

I'll let the strut in teh rear thing go (its a shock!)

but, what in god's name is a BRG ?

[der affe]

BRG..short for bearing. that how i have always wrote it on the back of RO's for the notes, just figured everyone knew the abrevation. and you are right they are actually shocks NOT struts.

[arsevader]

BRG..short for bearing. that how i have always wrote it on the back of RO's for the notes, just figured everyone knew the abrevation. and you are right they are actually shocks NOT struts.

They are bushings not bearings. The noise could possibly be caused by a bad flex disc or by a worn pinion in the differential.

[der affe]

sorry new to the bmw...where is the flex disc?

[arsevader]

sorry new to the bmw...where is the flex disc?

It's the rubber disc that sits between the Driveshaft and the output flange on the gearbox.

[der affe]

ahhh ok i'll check that too in the morning. is it worth going to the solid type strut bushings if the stock ones are ok?

[kyla325is]

Don't get the stock rear shock mounts. The e46 m3 conv ones are a better choice.

[der affe]

i found the sorce of the clunk the two bolts that go from the subframe to the diff were loose, but i could tell until i powerwashed of the crud under the car to reveil the SMALL gap inbetween the flange, tightened ti up...no more clunk!