drb5

iTrader: (4)

Our 2004 3 litre diesel X5 has recently passed it's MOT, but for the past 4 months or so, there has been a creaking from the offside rear when entering, exiting and driving of the car.

I'm struggling to pinpoint what is causing the noise, but having passed it's MOT i can only assume it's not so much of a worn bush, but maybe a rusted bolt moving a touch?

Is there a particular item on the rear suspension that is a common fault? Tried using Google, but the majoriy of things that appeared was about handbrake faults, which isn't the case here.

dan2926

iTrader: (4)

I have the exact same problem on my x5 mate, had it into the garage and we inspected everything. I didnt find anything wrong and have had no problem with it

The X5 do have their common faults list (changed all the common parts that need repair).

Just turn the stereo up a notch and you wont hear it

I found this link quite useful :

http://ksl.stanford.edu/people/kpfle..._problems.html

richs2891

Quick search on google comes up with the rear hatch been misaligned or the battery cover or cargo cover.
Have a look on the BMW forums
Richard

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Cheers Dan. Will check your link out.

Rich, i've done the search and looked on the forums. It's none of those faults you listed.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Quick update....nightmare!

Narrowed the noise down to the bolt that hold the hub to the lower arm. Bolt is about a foot long and goes through quite a few items and has a load of pressure on it, so when removing the bolt, unless you counter the weight and angle of the hub, it goes AWOL.

3 hours late, loads of grease and cursing, we got the bolt back in and the creak has gone for now. I expect it to return when i get used to the silence.

dan2926

iTrader: (4)

Nice 1 will need to check out mine, was the bolt damaged?

The Zohan

Kilo of cocaine inside the rear door?

drb5

iTrader: (4)

No damage mate, no. Probably just corroded a touch.

What to do is slacken the nut from the bolt, while someone is bouncing up and down on the car to make the noise. If the noise disappears, like mine did, when you've slackened it right off, then it's definately the same bolt.

dan2926

iTrader: (4)

Nice one mate ill give it a bash and see what happens