Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 09:29:06 -0700
From: "twisty M3" <twistym3@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] Squeaking Left Rear

Could the exhaust have been taken off it's mounts for any reason and 
remounted improperly?

Jonathan L.


>From: "Rob Jackowitz" <rjme@msn.com>
>
>Howdy folks,
>It's been a while since I last followed the E36M3 list..ya know -
>responsibilities. I've been following again for the past few days. Hope all
>you M-drivers are doing well. I see that Chester not only made it to a 
>track
>event (finally) but is still here to tell about it (bravo!). Anyway, I'm
>experiencing a rather serious squeak from the left rear of my '97, most
>noticeable at low speed over small bumps. Rear shock mounts (stock) are new
>and swapping in my JTD mounts didn't change things. I've also swapped the
>rear shocks (left/right)in order to see if the squeak would move to the
>other side...it didn't. Car drives great with the exception of the squeak,
>so I don't think its rear sub-frame, as I would assume that I would "feel"
>that. Any ideas would be appreciated.
>Rob

Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 13:20:11 EDT
From: LoweSeaton@aol.com
Subject: Re: [E36M3] Squeaking Left Rear

Check the rear sway bar bushings.  They may need to be lubed.  It took me several months to track down this squeak on my M3.

Do you have an aftermarket sway bar with urethane bushings?  Or do you have the stock sway bar?

I assume you have the stock bar so I'll give that answer.  I learned you DO NOT want the stock rubber bushings to rotate on the sway bar.  Instead, you want them glued to the bar.  Think of the RSM.  Once it separates from the metal, it squeaks.

I learned the best "lube" is simple dishwashing liquid soap sitting by your kitchen sink.  It makes everything easy to assemble but then it dries and the bushing will be stuck to the sway bar.

You will have to remove the sway bar to "lube" it.  Best way I learned is to lift both rear wheels off the ground, remove the wheels, undo the 13mm nut inside the springs attaching the upper end of the sway bar link, and then undo the brackets holding the sway bar bushings.  Wiggle the sway bar out OVER the muffler.

See if you can turn the sway bar links.  They should be fused to the ends of the sway bar.  If not, lube them with the dishwashing soap and slide them back on.  Then lube the sway bar bushings and reassemble the sway bar.

Lowell Seaton
'95 M3
Dallas, Texas