The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[cornercarver]

You'd hear a bad wheel bearing before it affected handing that bad... I wouldn't rule out a frozen caliper but there are so many things that can cause a vibration/handing issues

Speaking of wheel bearing squeak - I noticed this when I had the car up recently; does it sound like a bearing or the pads/rotor?

https://youtu.be/uMZ98Sd6hEU

The pads/rotor aren't that worn, so I don't think it's the brake wear indicator.

I noticed a squeak while driving, but it's so faint compared to road noise that I can't tell if it's happening when the brakes are applied/not applied.

[Newjack]

It’s staggered, but I switched front left and right tires before the drive back from Ohio and it still pulls right. I don’t think I have a dragging brake, since the dust accumulation is even on both sides, and I can’t hear anything. Bad wheel bearing, perhaps?

What suspension work have you done? Are the FCAB's new? Bent wheels?

I agree with Rob I don't think its the wheel bearing.

Something is out of alignment

[704sw]

if it's vibrating under acceleration, then it's either in the drivetrain (engine/trans mounts or driveshaft), or the rear suspension. rear suspension issues on these cars can indeed manifest themselves as vibrations in the steering wheel...

since you mention the tramlining is increasingly worse, i would look at suspension over drivetrain mounts. did you replace the rear outer control arm bushings yet? if not, definitely a good idea, and go with the upper unit in the lower location too.

What suspension work have you done? Are the FCAB's new? Bent wheels?

Okay Rob and Peter, I drove home for lunch with the windows down, and while going slowly over my driveway curb I heard a distinct “clunk clunk” on the passenger side. Going slowly through the neighborhood I heard a faint metal on metal sound.

I didn’t replace the FCABs since Peter replaced them, and I’ve only put 9k on it since purchase. FCAs and tie rods were replaced in July, so I can’t imagine it’s a ball joint failure. And Rob, I don’t think the wheels are bent since the pulling was the same after the left-right tire rotation.

Peter—I’ve not done the rear bushings yet, but I do have them sitting on the shelf. During lunch I ordered the 7 diff+subframe bushings/flex disc/CSB/fluids. I figured I’d do all if that + rear arm bushings all at the same time. I also bought new engine mounts which I’ll preventatively swap when I do the OPG. I guess I’m going to order some Lemmy FCABs right now, and see if FCP can add it to my order before it ships out.

[Sockethead]

I can't remember, are your sway bar end links new... and upper mount nut tight? They will make that sound going slow over bumps too...

[704sw]

I can't remember, are your sway bar end links new... and upper mount nut tight? They will make that sound going slow over bumps too...

Yep, I swapped them out for the E36 M3 links from Dane in front of his house on Sunday. They’re pretty darn tight.

These are what Peter used. I’m not familiar with the brand, but it claims they’re poly.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...strong-adus604

[Vas]

Yep, I swapped them out for the E36 M3 links from Dane in front of his house on Sunday. They’re pretty darn tight.

These are what Peter used. I’m not familiar with the brand, but it claims they’re poly.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...strong-adus604

I had poly fcab and then tried out the Z4m fcab.

Same feel.

I say ditch the poly and go with solid rubber

[slater]

Okay Rob and Peter, I drove home for lunch with the windows down, and while going slowly over my driveway curb I heard a distinct “clunk clunk” on the passenger side. Going slowly through the neighborhood I heard a faint metal on metal sound.

interesting... clunk-clunk and metal on metal definitely aren't related. the clunk-clunk could be a loose strut top nut (the big guy), swaybar endlink, or ball joint... but i doubt the last two are the issue since you just replaced those.

it could potentially be a bad FCAB, but generally those manifest themselves as tugs in the steering wheel when you first apply the brakes...

These are what Peter used. I’m not familiar with the brand, but it claims they’re poly.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...strong-adus604

i've used those on maybe 5-6 cars now - for my own and for friends, and they seem to hold up really well. they're an interesting design that should provide increased life and performance, while not being as 'stiff' as something like the AKG FCABs. i guess it's entirely possible one went bad? they are not hard to change; you could always swap them left-to-right (you should be able to press them out of the housings easily enough) and see if your pulling changes.

[slater]

I had poly fcab and then tried out the Z4m fcab.

Same feel.

I say ditch the poly and go with solid rubber

my only beef with the Z4M FCABs is that they relocate the wheel further forward in the wheel well... it just looks weird to me. aside from that... the increased caster benefits should be totally worth it...... i actually have a set of these in the garage that i've been wanting to try.

[Dual]

My trunk keeps moaning at me: something about the struts, and it's getting louder. Replace or lubricate? If the latter, where and with what?
Thanks...

[Sockethead]

every e46 I've owned makes that noise lol