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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:38 am Post subject: 1998 323i Convertible Squeak! |
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I have a 1998 323i Convertible and it squeaks. The noise either comes from the convertible top behind the driver or possibly the shocks. I have no clue but every bump in the road is so annoying. The inside of the roof is black, and between the fabric & the frame the plastic sheeting has deteriorated. I sprayed WD40 everywhere possible to no avail. Can someone please help me?? |
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85-325e
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Cindi...
Welcome aboard! Great place here, with tons of info.
I'm going to move your post to the proper forum so you get the attention you need. The E30 forum is only for cars made from 1984 to 1991/2. I think you need the E36 forum instead as it's for 3 series cars from 1992 to 1998.
Good luck...
FYI, if you hear the squeaks when the top is folded down, and they sound the same, then you can rule out the top. I think you'll have to define when the squeaks happen better though... For example, does it squeak ONLY when you go over a bump, or does it do it turning from one specific side to another??? Is there any "rattling" when it happens, soundling like something's loose? _________________ Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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hey Cindi, where in CT are you?
85-325e asked some good questions.
on my convertible, I get squeaks when the rubber trim on the back windows gets dry (the rubber on the back window that touches the front window). it rubs on the front window and squeaks on every bump, until I moisten it up with some Armor All. The rubber on the door should also be treated.
try putting your windows down, to see if it gets any quieter, then you will know that is the problem. _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:10 am Post subject: 323i Squeak |
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The squeak does happen when the top is down (I just don't hear it as much because, well, the top is down!) Seems like it is coming from somewhere under the driver's side back end of the car. Every bump in the road ALL THE TIME.
85-325e thanks for fixing my post. This is not an easy sight to figure out.
walshja - New Haven County.
I see that you both have pictures of your cars on here. How do you do that? Is is because you are selling them? |
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:45 am Post subject: |
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hey Cindi, I'm in New Haven county as well, Guilford. Small world !!
We got our pictures listed in our signature, you should try to do the same, would love to see your car.
did you try lowering your windows, to see if the squeaking stops? _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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85-325e
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Cindi...
You adjust your signature from the "profile" link at the top.
It's actually a pretty easy site to navigate, but you have to know the actual series of car you have. There are forums for 5 series, 6 & 7 series cars etc.
The one thing we DON'T do is host photos, so if you want to put a picture in your signature, it has to be available from the web, and you link to it. Usually your ISP account, AOL, or Comcast whatever etc., provides you with storage space for pictures etc., or you can use one of the online services like Picassa or Google to store your pics...
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming !
Again, welcome aboard... (fyi, I'm more of an E30 guy, from 84-91 BUT there are many qualified people up here with the same model car as you to help you out...) _________________ Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:09 am Post subject: Squeak |
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Joe, it is definitely a metal on metal sound, really loud. No change with the windows. It is coming from somewhere under the car, maybe above the wheel. I am trying to avoid North Haven BMW because they will charge me a million dollars just to diagnose. Do you use anyone in the area for repairs that you recommend? I have family in Guilford (kids in 6th & 4th grade I think) Haven't seen your BMW but definitely would notice it because it is the same color as mine, but I have red on the bottom instead of black, and no rear fin. I'll work on a picture as soon as the sun comes out. |
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:11 am Post subject: Squeak |
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and Joe, why is a Yankee fan driving a Red Sox red car?!! |
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:10 am Post subject: |
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Cyndi, it pains me to drive a red car, trust me !! how did you know I'm a Yankee fan??
I have 2 kids as well, 2nd and 4th grade. What school is your family in? Mine are at Mellisa Jones. This world is getting even smaller !! I will be on the lookout for another red convertible in Guilford, listen for the horn beep !! Do you live in Guilford? I can take a look at the car if you want.
if it is metal on metal, it could be your upper shock mount, they are known to go bad. Cheap to fix. There really are not many moving parts back there.
when the car is cooled off, give the exhaust a shake, see if you can make the sound appear that way. otherwise I would look at the upper shock mount. _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:54 am Post subject: Squeak |
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Don't suppose your 4th grader is in class with a Basil? I am actually in North Branford. I tried to shake the exhaust but other than making my hands black, didn't hear much going on. The shock mount sounds more like it. I remember having my shocks worked on years back. Do you recommend anyone in the area that works on BMW's?
I figured you were a Yankee fan because when you click on the link right near the picture you end up on your old fantasy baseball sight and I believe the word "pinstripes" is in your name. I know ALL about fantasy baseball (football, too). The hubs has a few drafts coming up and he is actually going to miss my son's first starting varsity game (he's a catcher) because guess what he has scheduled that day? Some guys in his league literally fly into CT.
I am NOT a Yankee fan (even though my son is named after the late, great Mickey Mantle... his middle name is Mickey believe it or not) In fact I have a Red Sox plate on the BMW, plus I have seat covers with the Red Sox logo. When the top is down it's funny how many people notice and either like it, or HATE it!
I am going to research the upper shock mount now. Thanks for all your help!
Cyndi |
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85-325e
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY
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Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:14 am Post subject: |
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Cindi... Try rocking on the back bumper and see if the car going up and down back there makes the noise. Rear shock mounts are an easy fix... _________________ Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...
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walshja
![](images/avatars/8505547374401e953cc5b6.jpg)
Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:25 am Post subject: |
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I like your husband ... you? not so much anymore !! I HATE the Red Sux !! LOL People who play Fantasy Baseball and Football are a unique bunch. As you can see from my website we are all pretty dedicated. I imagine we both know a lot of the same people, I have a good friend that lives on Valley Dr. in N. Branford.
If you're in N. Branford I would go to Sports and Imports on Rt 80. I personally don't like the guy, he's a quirky kinda guy, I tried giving him my business before I starting doing all the work myself on the car, but he gets angry if you just show up, he wants appointments made !! But I understand from other people he does great work. He specializes in BMWs, so he will know exactly what the problem is
Changing the upper shock mounts is a pretty easy job Cyndi, you should try it yourself. _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: Squeak |
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I've been driving the car all weekend - not the shocks. My kids swear the noise is coming from the convertible roof. I cannot figure out why it is just one side of the car. I still hear it when the roof is down, so that must mean that the metal is still grinding. Next step mechanic? |
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:20 am Post subject: |
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if you think it's the top, I might be inclined to go to the dealer. the top is pretty complicated, and they have a conv top specialist there.
I still can't imagine what would make a grinding noise on the top, especially if it does it when the top is both up and down.
the upper shock mount is right where the top sits, you can look at it. when the back cover for the top is in the upright position (in the middle of the top going down), look in the space where the top sits and you will see 2 rubber domes, one on each side of the car. pop off the dome over where you think the noise is coming from, and that is the top of the shock, and it is held in place by the shock mount. That is a common failure point on these cars. Maybe you can determine if it looks good or bad.
I also have a grinding noise on my car, been there for years, only happens in cold weather. never bothered me enough to track it down. I wonder if we are hearing the same thing. Mine only happens when the back end hit a big bump. never on the corners _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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cyndiqueenbmw
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:59 am Post subject: |
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I was wondering what that dome was - going out the garage right now! |
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