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      01-19-2013, 02:34 PM   #1
peeti
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Creaking in front end - Car has Dinan SIII suspension

In Chicago where I live we've had very low temps of late, 20-30 degrees. It seems that when the car has been sitting in the cold, it does this more but in general does it if pushed hard enough regardless.

The regardless part, engine warm, driven for 30 minutes or so, same ambient temps and much less pronounced.

So the "it" is creaking. It sounds like metal on metal. The sound sounds like it's coming from the chassis/body, and it sounds, for lack of a better description, like old mattress springs.

The car has a Dinan Stage III suspension wonder if this is a suspension issue or something else?

The sound "seems" to be coming from the passenger side wheel area, though from time to time the sound seems centered.

What could this be? I want to take it in but save myself lots of cash in troubleshooting by providing them a target to look at.

Thanks in advance all!
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      01-19-2013, 04:02 PM   #2
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when was the suspension installed?
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      01-22-2013, 12:22 PM   #3
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I just bought the car, but from the records looks like about 7 months ago.

Update on when it happens too - it's totally temp related. Yesterday was 5 degrees out and the car lives in a heated garage. The creaking didn't start until I was 30 minutes to work.

At the end of the day, car having been in 5 degree weather all day, the car groans and creaks like crazy for most of the drive. Finally quieted down some by the time I got home - but even then, still some creaking.
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      02-01-2013, 07:41 PM   #4
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Drive it slowly over a parking lot speed bump to see if you can isolate the motion that triggers the sound. It may be something as simple as your sway bar bushings needing some lube or anything else that uses hard urethane bushings.
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      02-11-2013, 10:04 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarbonFoot View Post
It may be something as simple as your sway bar bushings
^This. The squeaking is probably coming from your antiroll bar bushings. My e46 did this on cold mornings while leaving my driveway. Try rolling up onto an elevated entrance one wheel at a time. That should recreate the noise.
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      03-04-2013, 03:26 PM   #6
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Circling back - dealer took most of the front end suspension apart. They checked the shocks, springs, perches nothing would give. Creaking continued. Finally disconnected the sway bar links and creaking stopped. Lubing the bushings per Dinan tech fixed it for now, though it's supposedly going to come back.

Now some of you have chimed back that you've never had issues like this with your Dinan suspensions, and frankly, I'd agree for what they cost and are. Not sure what I think of this solution.

And yes, I fully understand that bushings need lubrication from time to time - I just would have figured Dinan to have this as a perma lube sort of solution.

It is what it is. Just curious on all thoughts.
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      03-04-2013, 03:37 PM   #7
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All polyurethane bushings require periodic servicing or else it will squeak. There is no way around this. There are some bushings designs that keep lube better on the surface so it requires less maintenance but none that are maintenance free.

That is why the OEM bushings are made from rubber. Rubber does not squeak and no maintenance besides replacement when they wear out.
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      03-22-2013, 03:41 PM   #8
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This is ridiculous. One week later the squeaking is back. Not as pronounced yet, but that's how it started. Sure I agree that there some periodic servicing, but one week?

Anyone got suggestions?
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      03-23-2013, 08:56 PM   #9
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I've experienced the same noise with the links that came with my coil over kit. Just ordered a pair from Turner that are said to be as quiet as OEM.
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      03-24-2013, 05:44 AM   #10
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Stock sway bar bushings are extremely tight on some M3s. Lowering the car only makes things worse unless you're using adjustable sway bar end links - when the car is lowered the sway bar geometry changes and may create noise at the mounting bushings. I solved my "noise" problems by switching to PowerFlex main sway bar bushings, and continuing to use adjustable end links.
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      03-30-2013, 07:02 PM   #11
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Just wanted to report that the Turner links are as quiet as OEM.
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      04-01-2013, 12:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peeti View Post
This is ridiculous. One week later the squeaking is back. Not as pronounced yet, but that's how it started. Sure I agree that there some periodic servicing, but one week?

Anyone got suggestions?
Old trick I use - polyurethane sway bar bushings are GOING to squeak if you just grease them.

Simply wrap the part of the bar that the bushing touches in teflon tape. Just a single layer and then push the bushing on over that.

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