Did they replace your sway bar bushings???

redsoxx · 02-23-2009, 09:01 AM

So, I have the dreaded creaking noise every time I go over a speed bump or any large bump or dip in the road. My BMW groans like an old beater. I took it in and they greased the sway bar bushings. It did the trick for about two weeks. But...the noise slowly started returning and is now back in all it's glory. Have any of you had your bushings replaced? Is there any other cure?

noro · 02-23-2009, 09:06 AM

Hey man, I strongly suggest you leave the bushings alone. The noise is the byproduct of the metal rubbing against mildly hardened bushing (due to the cold weather). There is nothing wrong with the bushings so replacing it will do no good whatsoever. Until BMW addresses this by providing an alternate design you are just going to waste your time. Just about everyone's car does this. Mine stops as soon as there is 35+F degrees outside.

AlpinWeiss · 01-13-2011, 10:52 AM

This is happening to my car as well. I'm about to go on a 500+ mile trip tomorrow. Is this going to cause any problems in the long run if I take the car? I just noticed it starting last night. It has been pretty cold here and my car has been in an open parking lot in 30F weather for about a month now.

Edward · 01-13-2011, 11:00 AM

I don't know how much weather affects urethane bushings since it stays moderate in temperature in socal, but maybe the control arm bushings are bad? Check to see if they are cracked or have any play with the end of the arm that fits into the bushing. Replacing them on my last 3 did wonders for tightening up the entire car.

MusclezMarinara · 01-13-2011, 11:01 AM

Once it warms up it goes away

PsychoSlug · 01-13-2011, 11:03 AM

Yes, the dealer replaced my bushings last winter. Haven't had a problem since.

Atorsesh · 01-13-2011, 11:22 AM

I've talked about this before on the forum. Find out what type of grease the dealer used. I'm guessing they used a lithium grease which will not work as well in freezing temps on rubber after a short period of time. Tell them to use or you should use GRAPHITE LUBRICANT. It is basically ground up pencil lead. It will work wonders for your sway bar bushing for a very very long time.

AlpinWeiss · 01-13-2011, 11:47 AM

Will driving with this sound for an extended time cause damage?

SpmnE9zero · 01-13-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsoxx

So, I have the dreaded creaking noise every time I go over a speed bump or any large bump or dip in the road. My BMW groans like an old beater. I took it in and they greased the sway bar bushings. It did the trick for about two weeks. But...the noise slowly started returning and is now back in all it's glory. Have any of you had your bushings replaced? Is there any other cure?

hhahahah, yeah I got mine replaced (under warranty) for the same reasons!
Will drive ya nuts huh? hahaha

Professor///M · 02-11-2011, 10:37 PM

I have just under 12K miles and this happened to mine too... Dealer replaced the bushings no problems - actually the day I was at the dealer it sounded the best it had in weeks, but the tech picked up the problem

sumster · 03-11-2011, 04:21 PM

I live in Canada with -20 Celsius temperatures. Had terrible noise. Dealer said it is a known problem, especially on the xi models. Replaced under warranty an no noise even with very cold temps. Dealer said
They have changed the part number and that the noise is NOT normal even in cold temperatures.

CHCCubs · 03-11-2011, 06:11 PM

Just had mine replaced under warranty a few weeks ago. No noise since.

MacR6 · 03-11-2011, 06:32 PM

I was getting this on speed bumps too BUT lately I've been getting by just turning the wheel from one side to the other. Anyone get it from that?

mabman · 03-11-2011, 06:39 PM

I had this same problem and Parkview replaced by sway bar bushings under warranty last week. This problem has also been reported under a different thread with more posts so search for that (I've posted on that one too if you want to query under my nickname).

Kolyan2k · 03-11-2011, 07:36 PM

same problem here....dealer lubricated them.....so so now

TheRox · 03-11-2011, 07:43 PM

I have this problem and will eventually take to dealer.

WWONG · 03-12-2011, 01:25 AM

Is this an E90 only thing or does everyone replying here right now happen to have sedans only?

gmiller · 03-12-2011, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsoxx

So, I have the dreaded creaking noise every time I go over a speed bump or any large bump or dip in the road. My BMW groans like an old beater. I took it in and they greased the sway bar bushings. It did the trick for about two weeks. But...the noise slowly started returning and is now back in all it's glory. Have any of you had your bushings replaced? Is there any other cure?

i just had my bushings replaced because my car for 6 months and moisture rotted my bushings. no problems since then. by the way, with labor and everything it costs about 1000 dollars at the bmw dealer. thank god i had 1 week on my warranty left

Kolyan2k · 03-12-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWONG

Is this an E90 only thing or does everyone replying here right now happen to have sedans only?

i got e92

335BBS · 03-16-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

i got e92

Me too. Mine were replaced about 3000 kms ago and they are fuc$%# again. False "light out" reading....false "low oil reading" and warm steering wheel heater AGAIN. 3 visits to fix finish too. Also need rear aligned. Original tires almost worn on inside after first 15,000 kms! Rear of Car came toed in from factory!! Cant wait to have that discussion.

Perfectus · 03-16-2011, 10:18 AM

They replaced my endlinks last year to fix the problem the OP described.

techMology · 03-19-2011, 11:19 AM

BMW Toronto just replaced my sway bar bushings as well. I have an E92. I had an E90 previously (for 4 years) and I went through plenty of winters and it never happened on that car.

Must be an xi thing.

02-23-2009, 09:01 AM	#1
redsoxx New Member 4 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	Did they replace your sway bar bushings??? So, I have the dreaded creaking noise every time I go over a speed bump or any large bump or dip in the road. My BMW groans like an old beater. I took it in and they greased the sway bar bushings. It did the trick for about two weeks. But...the noise slowly started returning and is now back in all it's glory. Have any of you had your bushings replaced? Is there any other cure?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-23-2009, 09:06 AM	#2
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Hey man, I strongly suggest you leave the bushings alone. The noise is the byproduct of the metal rubbing against mildly hardened bushing (due to the cold weather). There is nothing wrong with the bushings so replacing it will do no good whatsoever. Until BMW addresses this by providing an alternate design you are just going to waste your time. Just about everyone's car does this. Mine stops as soon as there is 35+F degrees outside. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 10:52 AM	#3
AlpinWeiss Member 21 Rep 168 Posts Drives: E90 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	This is happening to my car as well. I'm about to go on a 500+ mile trip tomorrow. Is this going to cause any problems in the long run if I take the car? I just noticed it starting last night. It has been pretty cold here and my car has been in an open parking lot in 30F weather for about a month now. __________________ daily: E90 LCI 328i #AWE90 track toy: E36 M3 #bcRCR instagram: omgwtfxbbq
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 11:00 AM	#4
Edward Colonel 377 Rep 2,982 Posts Drives: 2013.9999 E92 Jerez ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	I don't know how much weather affects urethane bushings since it stays moderate in temperature in socal, but maybe the control arm bushings are bad? Check to see if they are cracked or have any play with the end of the arm that fits into the bushing. Replacing them on my last 3 did wonders for tightening up the entire car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 11:01 AM	#5
MusclezMarinara Banned 262 Rep 5,018 Posts Drives: VALNCYA Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey iTrader: (23) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [9.22] 2009 335i Sedan xdrive [9.34]	Once it warms up it goes away
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 11:03 AM	#6
PsychoSlug Lieutenant 36 Rep 564 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nowhere iTrader: (0)	Yes, the dealer replaced my bushings last winter. Haven't had a problem since.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 11:22 AM	#7
Atorsesh Private First Class 21 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 123 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: 123 iTrader: (0)	I've talked about this before on the forum. Find out what type of grease the dealer used. I'm guessing they used a lithium grease which will not work as well in freezing temps on rubber after a short period of time. Tell them to use or you should use GRAPHITE LUBRICANT. It is basically ground up pencil lead. It will work wonders for your sway bar bushing for a very very long time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2011, 11:47 AM	#8
AlpinWeiss Member 21 Rep 168 Posts Drives: E90 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	Will driving with this sound for an extended time cause damage? __________________ daily: E90 LCI 328i #AWE90 track toy: E36 M3 #bcRCR instagram: omgwtfxbbq
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2011, 10:37 PM	#10
Professor///M Brigadier General 819 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i; Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 Comp. [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 35i [10.00]	I have just under 12K miles and this happened to mine too... Dealer replaced the bushings no problems - actually the day I was at the dealer it sounded the best it had in weeks, but the tech picked up the problem
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 04:21 PM	#11
sumster New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 328xi, 6FL, ZPP, ZSP, 677, 522 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I live in Canada with -20 Celsius temperatures. Had terrible noise. Dealer said it is a known problem, especially on the xi models. Replaced under warranty an no noise even with very cold temps. Dealer said They have changed the part number and that the noise is NOT normal even in cold temperatures.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 06:11 PM	#12
CHCCubs Colonel 97 Rep 2,101 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	Just had mine replaced under warranty a few weeks ago. No noise since. __________________ 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport Line Mineral Grey on Everest Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 06:32 PM	#13
MacR6 Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I was getting this on speed bumps too BUT lately I've been getting by just turning the wheel from one side to the other. Anyone get it from that?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 06:39 PM	#14
mabman New Member 10 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335xi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	I had this same problem and Parkview replaced by sway bar bushings under warranty last week. This problem has also been reported under a different thread with more posts so search for that (I've posted on that one too if you want to query under my nickname).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 07:36 PM	#15
Kolyan2k Major General 922 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	same problem here....dealer lubricated them.....so so now
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2011, 07:43 PM	#16
TheRox Colonel 119 Rep 2,312 Posts Drives: 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there iTrader: (2)	I have this problem and will eventually take to dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-12-2011, 01:25 AM	#17
WWONG Banned 109 Rep 1,830 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (14)	Is this an E90 only thing or does everyone replying here right now happen to have sedans only?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2011, 10:18 AM	#21
Perfectus Major 35 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: e92 335i/F10 528XI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NOVA/MD iTrader: (10)	They replaced my endlinks last year to fix the problem the OP described. __________________ 2012 528XI Saphire Black Stock for now 2007 e92 335i - Monaco Blue Injen DCI w/ Cyba Scoop - M-Tech Rear - ///M3 Rear Lip Spoiler - ///M5 SMG Shift Knob & iDrive Knob - BMW Performance Hand Brake - BMWCCA Member
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2011, 11:19 AM	#22
techMology New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: '06 325i ZSP Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	BMW Toronto just replaced my sway bar bushings as well. I have an E92. I had an E90 previously (for 4 years) and I went through plenty of winters and it never happened on that car. Must be an xi thing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote