Experiencing noises from your vehicle frequently is never reassuring, so discovering noises on your BMW i3 suspensions when you pass a speed bump can be stressing. This symptom may be a sign of a insignificant trouble as well as a warning of a much larger repair to come. In any case, it is essential to check the cause and take the necessary actions to solve the trouble, it is with this aim in mind that we wanted to write this document to help you see more clearly. We will first see the possible causes for a crack when the speed bump passes, after that, what can be the cause 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 i3
Check BMW i3 suspension
If you encounter a suspension noise when you pass a speed bump on your BMW i3, and it is categorized by a “clack” or cracking, it is highly possible that your suspension block is the origin of it. In fact, it may be the suspension cups, which, when they are outdated, have the rubber (silentblock) that acts as a buffer and shock absorber for the upper part of the suspension that no longer fulfils its function during small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 check if this is the trouble that concerns you, take a dented road and focus on the noise coming from your front axle as you drive over holes. If it is indeed the cups, think of swapping them quickly or you may affect other parts and have to make more important repairs.
Check the cardan shaft
If you are here because you have researched for “BMW i3 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 In fact, when the cardan bellows get out of date and the dirt/dust accumulates inside them their working is deteriorated and it is possible to experience a noise when they are in torsion. To check 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 turn at low speed. If it cracks in these two circumstances you should consider changing it or them. If you have the feeling that this noise is more like a a loud noise on BMW i3, don’t hesitate to visit this article.
Check steering hinges/stabilizer bar
Finally, when you recognise a suspension noise when your BMW i3 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 change direction. If this is the case, the components that may have been affected by regular wear and tear or impacts (e. g. sidewalks). The steering hinges, the stabilizer bar hinges. can be the origins of your noises, to check it, put it under the vehicle and apply twists on each of its elements to check that there is no particular play on one of them, they are meant to resist you quite strongly over their entire travel. Remember to take your BMW i3 to your mechanic or replace them if they are involved.
squeaky noise speed bump BMW i3
Check the stabilizer bar
If, on the other hand, you have a noise that is more like a squeak when you pass a speed bump with your BMW i3, it is possible that it is the stabilizer bar itself that is concerned. In fact, abnormal/pronounced wear of the latter can cause abnormal friction which can cause this squeaking noise. Remember to check by going under your vehicle the condition of the paint on your bar which will show if there is friction. Second possible point, it may be your stabilizer bar silentblocks that are dry and provoke noise, in which case disassemble them from the cradle and grease them, this should eliminate the trouble.
Check engine silentblocks
Finally, last point that we can check together, it is the engine silentblocks, in fact, these silentblocks process as pads/shock absorbers between the engine and the cradle of the vehicle, a obvious weakness of these will make a subsidence and therefore a space between the engine and the silentblocks, it may appear that a squeaking noise occurs when you pass a speed bumps or any holes with your BMW i3. To change them go to your auto mechanic.
Other speed bump noise BMW i3
If, even though all its assumptions, you still can’t locate the origin of the noise your BMW i3 makes when you pass a speed bump, we recommend you to consult this article on a loud noise on BMW i3 or to visit your mechanic in order to carry an in-depth check on your BMW i3 and determine this trouble.