Experiencing noises from your vehicle often is never comforting, so listening noises on your BMW 3 Series suspensions when you pass a speed bump can be worrying. This indicator may be a sign of a small issue as well as a warning of a much larger repair to come. Whatever the case, it is necessary to check the cause and take the necessary actions to correct the issue, it is with this goal in mind that we wanted to write this article to help you see more clearly. We will first see the possible explanations for a crack when the speed bump passes, after that, what can be the reason of a squeaking noise when a speed bump is being passed and finally what to do if you have another noise when a speed bump is passed.
Suspension cracking noise BMW 3 Series
Check BMW 3 Series suspension
If you encounter a suspension noise when you pass a speed bump on your BMW 3 Series, and it is characterized by a “clack” or cracking, it is highly plausible that your suspension block is the cause of it. In fact, it may be the suspension cups, which, when they are dead, have the rubber (silentblock) that acts as a buffer and shock absorber for the upper part of the suspension that no longer fulfils its function during small bumps that compress the suspensions. To verify if this is the issue that worries you, take a dented road and focus on the noise coming from your front axle as you go over holes. If it is indeed the cups, think of replacing them fairly quickly or you may affect other parts and have to make more important auto repairs.
Check the cardan shaft
If you are here because you have researched for “BMW 3 Series suspension noise” and the suspension is not the cause of your problem, it may be that the cardan shaft is responsible. In fact, when the cardan bellows get outdated and the dirt/dust builds up inside them their functions is degraded and it is possible to experience a noise when they are in torsion. To verify this, you can try both types of torsion, first vertical with suspension compressions on the speed bump passages, and horizontal when you are going to make a turn at low speed. If it cracks in these two situations you should consider replacing it or them. If you have the feeling that this noise is more like a a loud noise on BMW 3 Series, don’t hesitate to visit this article.
Check steering hinges/stabilizer bar
Finally, when you experience a suspension noise when your BMW 3 Series passes over a speed bumps, it is imaginable that the hinges or the stabilizer bar are responsible. Just like the gimbals, the steering part is mobilized when you modify direction. If this is the case, the components that may have been broken by regular wear and tear or impacts (e. g. sidewalks). The steering hinges, the stabilizer bar hinges. can be the causes of your noises, to verify it, put it under the vehicle and apply twists on each of its components to verify that there is no particular play on one of them, they are supposed to resist you quite strongly over their entire travel. Remember to take your vehicle to your mechanic or change them if they are involved.
squeaky noise speed bump BMW 3 Series
Check the stabilizer bar
If, however, you have a noise that is more like a squeak when you pass a speed bump with your BMW 3 Series, it is plausible that it is the stabilizer bar itself that is involved. In fact, abnormal/pronounced wear of the latter can cause unusual friction which can generate this squeaking noise. Please remember to verify by passing under your vehicle the condition of the paint on your bar which will tell us if there is friction. Second plausible point, it may be your stabilizer bar silentblocks that are dry and cause noise, in which case take them out from the cradle and grease them, this should fix the issue.
Check engine silentblocks
Finally, last case that we can verify together, it is the engine silentblocks, in fact, these silentblocks operate as pads/shock absorbers between the engine and the cradle of the vehicle, a noticable weakness of these will generate a subsidence and therefore a space between the engine and the silentblocks, it may appear that a squeaking noise appears when you pass a speed bumps or any holes with your BMW 3 Series. To change them go to your auto technician.
Other speed bump noise BMW 3 Series
If, despite all its assumptions, you still can’t find the origin of the noise your BMW 3 Series makes when you pass a speed bump, we advise you to consult this article on a loud noise on BMW 3 Series or to visit your mechanic in order to carry an in-depth check on your BMW 3 Series and find this issue.
