Hi,

When driving my 300D and the 318i, whengoing over bumps or around bumpy curves, I often hear a sort of clicking noise from the rear end. I have always attributed it to tools/flashlights rolling around in the trunk. I had a CV boot fail on the 300D, it completely tore apaqrt and made some bad loud noises.

Tonight, I was driving home in the rain, and accelerated over a bump and through a few puddles. As soon as I shifted into 5th in the 318i, I hear this knocking sound coming from my rear. it eventually sounded as if it was coming from the hump in the center of the car, around near the drivers seat. It came and went from time to time, in different gears/speeds, clutch engaged/disengaged, around curces and on straightaways, bumpy and smooth. It made the noise from no noticable set of driving circumstances, and just came and went.

Does anyone have any ideas what this noise (and the similar one in the MB) is? could it be a slowly going CV joint? I have to wonder if maybe the grease in the joint got displaced in the bumpy puddles, and thus the chicking noise.

Any info/advice/ideas most appreciated. Thanks

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

I believe there is a tsb concerning the stiffness/compressed height ( after years of use) of the front biscuit rubber on the rear suspension.... it appears that the rear biscuit in some situations can act as a fulcrum when the wheel goes into a pot hole (ie down) causing the front of the rear arm to go up and hit the frame...... don't know for sure ,,, but it is something you could check out...

Basically the cure is new rubber bushings on the rear suspension.... and being sure the minimum distance at that front bushing is maintained...