"Popping" noise from dash

[RSPINAJR]

I'm hoping someone can help with this. I'm trying to diagnose a "popping sound from inside the dash of my MC.

It seems as if it happens more when the car starts to warm up. When rough roads come, even more.

I've heard this is a common problem with the entire Z4 range and that it could be my Strut Tower Braces coming loose.

Is this the case? I've manually tried to duplicate the sound by shaking the hell out of both braces but I cannot do it.

Its getting worse unbelievably annoying!

THanks in advance!

[Z4-VILLA]

are u modified at all?

[RSPINAJR]

Bone Stock with the stock 2 piece brace connected to the firewall

[Finnegan]

Very common, and likely the firewall brace fasteners coming loose (common), or even some breakage (uncommon).

See this thread for the two types of fasteners:

1. One you can just tighten and re-use--this is the one that most often comes loose
2. Newer style fasteners that are single use and require a torque pre-load and then angle torque--newer design that does not often loosen.

Specs and pics of both types, and methods to fix, noted in thread.

[RSPINAJR]

Thanks a million!

[beta]

If you have the original fasteners (nuts, not the one-use bolts), you can use nord-locks so they don't come lose again. I had to tighten mine a few times before putting nord-locks on there, no problems since. See here for part numbers.

[RSPINAJR]

Thank you all for being so helpful. I really appreciate it. I will tighten what I have then try to get the nord-locks - might be tough in Hong Kong...

[ncnmra]

I had this problem when I bought my Z4M. I was *convinced* that it was something in the dash. I came across a thread like this on Bimmerfest, that mentioned the strut brace. I was skeptical because I couldn't budge the braces, but I did see some "rubbing" marks on the brackets that indicated to me that it was moving at some point. Remember that there is a lot of force on those things, so the fact that you can't move them manually isn't much of a test.

Long story short, I torqued up the nuts and *bingo*, problem solved.

Remember to use the right torque (41Nm) (hope its ok to post to another forum)
http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr...00#post2696800

I love that there is so much information on our cars online, but there are at least 3-4 forums that are active

[Spreadsheet]

Originally Posted by ncnmra

I had this problem when I bought my Z4M. I was *convinced* that it was something in the dash. I came across a thread like this on Bimmerfest, that mentioned the strut brace. I was skeptical because I couldn't budge the braces, but I did see some "rubbing" marks on the brackets that indicated to me that it was moving at some point. Remember that there is a lot of force on those things, so the fact that you can't move them manually isn't much of a test.

Long story short, I torqued up the nuts and *bingo*, problem solved.

Remember to use the right torque (41Nm) (hope its ok to post to another forum)
http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr...00#post2696800

I love that there is so much information on our cars online, but there are at least 3-4 forums that are active

I had same issue, the dealer's Service Advisor remembered a bulletin for this situation after I made him drive in the car with me to hear the noise. Loosened bolted and re-torqued to specs, fixed everything right up and no more noise.

[seank]

You can always remove them to diagnose whether or not it's the noise.

[BIMMERGUY91]

Originally Posted by ncnmra

I had this problem when I bought my Z4M. I was *convinced* that it was something in the dash. I came across a thread like this on Bimmerfest, that mentioned the strut brace. I was skeptical because I couldn't budge the braces, but I did see some "rubbing" marks on the brackets that indicated to me that it was moving at some point. Remember that there is a lot of force on those things, so the fact that you can't move them manually isn't much of a test.

Long story short, I torqued up the nuts and *bingo*, problem solved.

Remember to use the right torque (41Nm) (hope its ok to post to another forum)
http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr...00#post2696800

I love that there is so much information on our cars online, but there are at least 3-4 forums that are active

Had this exact same problem before. Took it to the dealer and they fixed it. Not a problem since then