E36 Suspension Issues

[Dave328i]

Hi all, new to the forum and looking for some help!!

I've got a 1996 E36 328 cabriolet which is sitting very low to the rear.

I'm not too bad with the mechanics of vehicles so I changed the suspension springs thinking that would be the issue, but shes still sitting low.

There is also a creaking noise from the rear end over bigger bumps, the Mrs reckons a duck is caught under there from the noise lol.

I know a comen fault is the rear trailing arm bushes, but if these are worn to excess can that make the car sit low too??

Any advice on things to check etc are very welcome. It's a bit feezing out there to be getting under the car but I'll do what I can.

Cheers, Dave (the newbie)

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

How does she "Bounce"? Did you have a look at the dampers?

Did you replace the spring-cups or re-use the originals?

[Dave328i]

Shes rides along just fine, quite smooth really , the spring cups were in good order so I left them in, should I have changed them?

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Not necessarily if they're good and not perished/flattened in any way...

The creaking will either be the dampers or bushes, so have a real good look...

Daft question - How is the front-end? Does it seem a little high? And is there any unnecessary weight in the boot?

[Dave328i]

The front end does look a bit higher than the rear, but I did some work there.

I fitted new front control arms complete with ball joints and did the problematic bushes on the rear of the arms, I went for Powerflex Polybushes instead of fighting with the more expensive OE rubber units.

Theres nothing in the boot so theres no issues there, it is a cabriolet if that can cause issues there....

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

I would then recommend polys in the rear-end to complement the front ;)

[Dave328i]

I've got my eyes on a set, £140 mind.... :o

Thanks for the help Dabsy

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

My pleasure.

Would've been cheaper to do the whole car in the first place though, not to worry eh?

Get some pics of the job when you start it mukka ;)

[mr metatarsal]

Ahhhh,welcome to the world of BMW suspension.Prepare your wallet for a regular beasting.

[Dave328i]

Is it really that bad? lol

I've got the second lot of polys on order along with the rear strut bushes, hopefully this will sort my issues B)

[mr metatarsal]

yes,it is,or maybe its me