Cold weather causing suspension to squeak?

Heroditas

Howdy, in the last few weeks the car (2005 BMW 5 series) has been making a ridiculous amount of squeaking at low speeds. It seems to be coming predominantly from the rear left side.

Anyway, brought it in and the guys changed the bushings in the rear suspension. They were quite worn and were due to be replaced anyway. However, the squeaking returned so I brought it back in and they took the bushings off and lubricated them - problem again appeared to be solved.

However, this morning the squeaking was very bad and I could hear it even above the radio as I was driving into work.
Now, the squeaking only started to appear when the weather first turned cold back in November.
I'm starting to wonder if this is a weather-related thing, and if so, how the heck can I fix it?

Muckie

Maybe see can you spray some WD40 in and around the bushings
and where you think the squeaking is coming from.
Hopefully its weather related with moisture trapped in the bushings
and rubbers. Came across similar problem on a Clio. WD40 did the trick.

E39MSport

Howdy.

Nuthin worse than squeaky suspension...

All I can suggest is to apply silicon spray on all of the bushings especially control arms. Don't use wd40.

Heroditas

E39MSport wrote: »

All I can suggest is to apply silicon spray on all of the bushings especially control arms. Don't use wd40.

Cool, I'll give that a go.
Looks like I'll have to get it up on a kerb to be able to crawl under and spray the bushings.
There isn;t much clearance room!

E39MSport

Jack the corner up and take the wheel off would be best approach. Then you can smother the joints. Don't get the spray on the brake disc.

testicle

E39MSport wrote: »

All I can suggest is to apply silicon spray on all of the bushings especially control arms. Don't use wd40.

http://www.wd40.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1936

Captain Slow IRL

A squeaky bush would be more obvious in dry weather than wet weather.

What bushings did they replace?

The lower rear balljoints are a common failure item and cause a squeak at low speeds.

maidhc

E39MSport wrote: »

Jack the corner up and take the wheel off would be best approach. Then you can smother the joints. Don't get the spray on the brake disc.

A bit of spray is unlikely to ever solve anything. I have tried it many a time, and convinced myself it made a difference, but it doesn't really.

Muckie

testicle wrote: »

http://www.wd40.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1936

I'm not alone using good auld WD40 so.

Heroditas

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

A squeaky bush would be more obvious in dry weather than wet weather.

What bushings did they replace?

The lower rear balljoints are a common failure item and cause a squeak at low speeds.

They replaced the two for the rear sway bar.

They were torqued while the car was up off the ground. I'm wondering if that might have made a difference. There seems to be an argument that they have to be pre-loaded.

However, that might not even be the problem.
It was very noticeable this afternoon but seemed to improve after I'd been driving for a while.

Captain Slow IRL

Heroditas wrote: »

They replaced the two for the rear sway bar...............

Anti-roll bar bushings? (or "D" bushings) These should not cause a squeaking noise - there would be a knocking noise at low speeds over bumpy ground.

Have a look at this page - click! Item 2 is your lower rear balljoint - this is most likely causing your squeak. There may be a small bit of play when the wheel is rocked, or very likely may not!
If you want to have it replaced, you'll have to go to a main dealer or good independant who has the tooling to remove/install it. You will also need to replace items 3, 4 and 7.

You'll have to bring it to someone who is a little more familiar with your car to diagnose it properly - a main dealer, a bmw specialist or AC car sales if you're in Dublin.

Heroditas

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

Anti-roll bar bushings? (or "D" bushings) These should not cause a squeaking noise - there would be a knocking noise at low speeds over bumpy ground.

Have a look at this page - click! Item 2 is your lower rear balljoint - this is most likely causing your squeak. There may be a small bit of play when the wheel is rocked, or very likely may not!

Cool. A trip to Joe Duffys might be in order.

Perhaps it's not so much a squeak as a "groan" or "crunching" sound. It's hard to explain. It's easily reproduced when you push down on the left side of the boot and the suspension is then compressed.

Seth Brundle

Joe Duffy's?
Just shows that not everyone has been affected by the recession!

Heroditas

kbannon wrote: »

Joe Duffy's?
Just shows that not everyone has been affected by the recession!

Well I wouldn't necessarily get them to fix the problem!

As it stands, they're fully booked until the New Year so time to ring my Indy!

E39MSport

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

Anti-roll bar bushings? (or "D" bushings) These should not cause a squeaking noise - there would be a knocking noise at low speeds over bumpy ground.

Have a look at this page - click! Item 2 is your lower rear balljoint - this is most likely causing your squeak. There may be a small bit of play when the wheel is rocked, or very likely may not!
If you want to have it replaced, you'll have to go to a main dealer or good independant who has the tooling to remove/install it. You will also need to replace items 3, 4 and 7.

You'll have to bring it to someone who is a little more familiar with your car to diagnose it properly - a main dealer, a bmw specialist or AC car sales if you're in Dublin.

Hi, mine squaeked. Replaced them and problem solved.

E39MSport

maidhc wrote: »

A bit of spray is unlikely to ever solve anything. I have tried it many a time, and convinced myself it made a difference, but it doesn't really.

I agree with you. But it can help reduce the noise in the short term.

Captain Slow IRL

E39MSport wrote: »

Hi, mine squaeked. Replaced them and problem solved.

I said they should not cause a squeaking noise, not that they wouldn't. The OP had his replaced and the squeaking was still there - it's highly likely they weren't causing the squeak.

E39MSport

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

I said they should not cause a squeaking noise, not that they wouldn't. The OP had his replaced and the squeaking was still there - it's highly likely they weren't causing the squeak.

so you did

Heroditas

Right, got the car lifted up and the guys sprayed away at the underside.
Doesn't seem to be too bad now - only squeaks a tiny bit going over large bumps at low speeds.
Looks like it it could be the shocks apparently. We'll see how this develops. Definitely it is worse depending on the weather.

Nonoperational

Not sure the shocks would squeak. Its probably one of the rubber bushes is a bit worn and dry and the cold is just making it worse. I'm not sure of the suspension setup in a 5 series but in alfas its the bushes in the top wishbone squeak.