Squeak from front end when going over bumps

LisaLannister · 11-17-2020, 06:25 AM

Hi.

Recently, I have started to hear a squeaking sound coming from the front end when driving over bumps and smaller potholes and it is especially noticeable when driving over cobblestone streets (I think it is from the right front side).

Any ideas what it could be? I just want to have some information before bringing the car into the dealer/mechanic so I am not told too many stories

Thanks

chickdr · 11-17-2020, 11:26 AM

The first thing I would tell you to check is the strut support bar nuts. They frequently loosen at the firewall side and make noise. Simple to tighten with a wrench. The blue bars in the photo(yours will be black).

couchflyer · 11-17-2020, 05:27 PM

Motor mount coming loose?

garz747 · 11-17-2020, 08:05 PM

What is the mileage? Possibly the front control arm bushings are making the noise.

LisaLannister · 11-18-2020, 05:39 AM

Thanks for the answers. The mileage on my car is about 82K.

Roadroach · 11-18-2020, 03:13 PM

I'll 2nd chickdr above.

Check those strut braces FIRST. It's quick, easy, and FREE to check those. Just throw a wrench on those nuts, make sure they're nice and TIGHT and take the car back out for a test drive.

I had an annoying squeek coming from the front end for a couple of months. Car is at the 150k mile mark and severely needed new struts/bushing/end links/etc etc. Did all of that and was STILL having the squeeking over bumps. I thought the nuts were tight so kept looking at other stuff to replace.

Got the advice from chickdr to check those struct braces again and he was right. Took me 5 minutes to tighten them up and the squeeking is completely gone.

DerE85Fahrer · 11-18-2020, 07:08 PM

Is the squeak happening if you only hit a bump with one wheel as opposed to with both wheels at the same time? If so, check your sway bar bushings and end links. I did a front suspension overhaul last year, which corrected several strange noises and a good bit of slop in the front end. The most prominent noise I was hearing was a squeaking and knocking sound, which turned out to be my sway bar end links.

kaybat · 11-18-2020, 09:45 PM

Z series?

thrak410 · 11-25-2020, 10:49 PM

My squeaks (and flex) were because the lower front brace was loose. Actually it was missing bolts, but who's counting lol...

So, also check the underside brace.

11-17-2020, 06:25 AM	#1
LisaLannister Private 48 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 650 Xi Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (0)	Squeak from front end when going over bumps Hi. Recently, I have started to hear a squeaking sound coming from the front end when driving over bumps and smaller potholes and it is especially noticeable when driving over cobblestone streets (I think it is from the right front side). Any ideas what it could be? I just want to have some information before bringing the car into the dealer/mechanic so I am not told too many stories Thanks
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11-17-2020, 11:26 AM	#2
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	The first thing I would tell you to check is the strut support bar nuts. They frequently loosen at the firewall side and make noise. Simple to tighten with a wrench. The blue bars in the photo(yours will be black). Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 Roadroach164.50 MZHammer44.50 Quote

11-17-2020, 05:27 PM	#3
couchflyer Private First Class 97 Rep 155 Posts Drives: M4; X4 M40i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW X4 M40i [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [7.00]	Motor mount coming loose?
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11-17-2020, 08:05 PM	#4
garz747 Captain 286 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC 01 330i 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	What is the mileage? Possibly the front control arm bushings are making the noise.
	Appreciate 1 kaybat125.50 Quote

11-18-2020, 05:39 AM	#5
LisaLannister Private 48 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 650 Xi Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the answers. The mileage on my car is about 82K.
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11-18-2020, 03:13 PM	#6
Roadroach First Lieutenant 165 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si coupe w/stick Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	I'll 2nd chickdr above. Check those strut braces FIRST. It's quick, easy, and FREE to check those. Just throw a wrench on those nuts, make sure they're nice and TIGHT and take the car back out for a test drive. I had an annoying squeek coming from the front end for a couple of months. Car is at the 150k mile mark and severely needed new struts/bushing/end links/etc etc. Did all of that and was STILL having the squeeking over bumps. I thought the nuts were tight so kept looking at other stuff to replace. Got the advice from chickdr to check those struct braces again and he was right. Took me 5 minutes to tighten them up and the squeeking is completely gone. __________________ 2006 Z4 coupe - with HOMELINK! 1966 Mustang GT fastback (too many mods to list) 2015 335i GT 2014 981 Cayman S manual
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11-18-2020, 07:08 PM	#7
DerE85Fahrer New Member 16 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E85 Z4 3.0i, VW MK6 GTI Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	Is the squeak happening if you only hit a bump with one wheel as opposed to with both wheels at the same time? If so, check your sway bar bushings and end links. I did a front suspension overhaul last year, which corrected several strange noises and a good bit of slop in the front end. The most prominent noise I was hearing was a squeaking and knocking sound, which turned out to be my sway bar end links. __________________ 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i: manual, sport package, premium package, sport seats, xenon headlights, premium audio, navigation, no mods yet.
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11-18-2020, 09:45 PM	#8
kaybat First Lieutenant 126 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '06 Z4MR, '14 Cayman S Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ormond Beach,Fl iTrader: (1) Garage List '06 Z4M [0.00]	Z series? __________________ Ken B.(BMWCCA/PCA/ZSCCA/SCCA)
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11-25-2020, 10:49 PM	#9
thrak410 Private First Class 86 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Roadster Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canton, GA iTrader: (0)	My squeaks (and flex) were because the lower front brace was loose. Actually it was missing bolts, but who's counting lol... So, also check the underside brace.
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