[Orb]

Originally Posted by MrWhite1015

guess this is never getting fixed

I collected some data on this issue and at least see some consistency with the problem. The one thing for sure if you replace the springs and use camber plates then issue is gone.

I have inspected a few OEM top mounts. In each instance when the chirping was present the OEM top mount bearings were worn with at least 2 mm of play (you could say this part has failed). My own OEM top mounts only had 8,000 KM on them and they had 3-4 mm of play and were grinding. If your driving hard the OEM top mounts are not going to last very long from the few sample i have seen so far.

The theory is that the worn bearing allows the spring to translate in the horizontal direction during compression which causes a chirp. The chirp simply could be the worn bearing in any case. The fact we know that changing these part out gets rid the noise in every instance at least isolates the problem to the top hats and springs.

I going to pack up the old KW spring and my worn top hat and send them to KW for investigation since these are know parts that chirp they can at least review the problem in controlled environment.

I’m working on a modified solution for this which will swap out the springs and OEM top hat. By modifying the M3 OEM top mount slightly and using a KW M3 spring the system will be far more robust (Dinan does something similar in their kits as well). The M3 front spring is made from the same material as the race spring so you get no sag. The rear springs can be upgraded to KW 61 mm race springs at any time as complete drop in.

Orb

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Orb

I collected some data on this issue and at least see some consistency with the problem. The one thing for sure if you replace the springs and use camber plates then issue is gone.

I have inspected a few OEM top mounts. In each instance when the chirping was present the OEM top mount bearings were worn with at least 2 mm of play (you could say this part has failed). My own OEM top mounts only had 8,000 KM on them and they had 3-4 mm of play and were grinding. If your driving hard the OEM top mounts are not going to last very long from the few sample i have seen so far.

The theory is that the worn bearing allows the spring to translate in the horizontal direction during compression which causes a chirp. The chirp simply could be the worn bearing in any case. The fact we know that changing these part out gets rid the noise in every instance at least isolates the problem to the top hats and springs.

I going to pack up the old KW spring and my worn top hat and send them to KW for investigation since these are know parts that chirp they can at least review the problem in controlled environment.

I’m working on a modified solution for this which will swap out the springs and OEM top hat. By modifying the M3 OEM top mount slightly and using a KW M3 spring the system will be far more robust (Dinan does something similar in their kits as well). The M3 front spring is made from the same material as the race spring so you get no sag. The rear springs can be upgraded to KW 61 mm race springs at any time as complete drop in.

Orb

How about just do this, either with a camber plate or stock upper mounts, and add custom Swift springs:

[MrWhite1015]

thanks for the update ... do you have the part number for the top mounts ?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by MrWhite1015

thanks for the update ... do you have the part number for the top mounts ?

Those are oem top mounts. You will also need upper spring perches if you are going with true coilover type springs.

[ucdbiendog]

Any updates Orb?

[ucdbiendog]

anything new? dying to hear the resolution of this, it's largely putting me off from ordering..

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by ucdbiendog

anything new? dying to hear the resolution of this, it's largely putting me off from ordering..

M3 top mounts don't for the 335i without some modifications. The oem 335i mounts should last more than 8000 km in our experience, but depends on the use and road conditions.

You can throw a set of camber plates at it of buy a pair of new oem 335i mounts.

[NM_BMW]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

M3 top mounts don't for the 335i without some modifications. The oem 335i mounts should last more than 8000 km in our experience, but depends on the use and road conditions.

You can throw a set of camber plates at it of buy a pair of new oem 335i mounts.

So its the top mounts in the front that is causing some people issues?

I know I"m over 8000km and I haven't heard anything like what is mentioned with my KW's.

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by Humtek

So its the top mounts in the front that is causing some people issues?

I know I"m over 8000km and I haven't heard anything like what is mentioned with my KW's.

I'm at 29K miles with a 70+ hours of track time this year. No noise. I am starting the feel that the coilovers dont have the same strength as before.

How soon should I expect the coilovers to lose their strength?

[JaysBlueE92]

So after about 15,000 miles on my V3s, I too now have some clunking and squeaking, the chirp that people have been talking about as well. It seems to hit a lot harder now on even small bumps, and all rebounding/dampening seems really soft. I will let you guys know what happens after I take it to my installer and get his opinion.

[MrHarris]

Do M3's using KWv3's have this problem as well? Will I need Dinan camber plates or something?

[SGxi]

Well, I heard chirping yesterday and today. Looks like, after 4 months of riding on them, the chirping has finally arrived...

Now the KWs are actually not on the stock springs, so even if you have different setup for spring (I have firmer KW springs based on Orb's recommendation), they will still chirp...

Will probably have to get them checked out soon...

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by SGxi

Well, I heard chirping yesterday and today. Looks like, after 4 months of riding on them, the chirping has finally arrived...

Now the KWs are actually not on the stock springs, so even if you have different setup for spring (I have firmer KW springs based on Orb's recommendation), they will still chirp...

Will probably have to get them checked out soon...

Could be from the valving package internally.

[Orb]

Originally Posted by ucdbiendog

Any updates Orb?

IMHO the noise is a product of two things. The top mount bearings wear out very fast. When top mount bearing starts to wear the KW spring displaces radially under certain load conditions; hence, you get a squeak as the spring slides against itself. My top mounts were in extremely bad condition after 5000 KM with 3 track days and they made a horrendous noise which was much worse in the cold.

The one thing that is a given if you change the springs and top mounts there is no more noise in every case. I changed two varibles so what can we assume?

If the noise is driving you crazy then I would suggest replacing the top mounts but it’s at your own risk.

It should be noted some early production models (pre 2008) have roll bar bushing that cause a similar problem.

Orb

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Orb

IMHO the noise is a product of two things. The top mount bearings wear out very fast. When top mount bearing starts to wear the KW spring displaces radially under certain load conditions; hence, you get a squeak as the spring slides against itself. My top mounts were in extremely bad condition after 5000 KM with 3 track days and they made a horrendous noise which was much worse in the cold.

The one thing that is a given if you change the springs and top mounts there is no more noise in every case. I changed two varibles so what can we assume?

If the noise is driving you crazy then I would suggest replacing the top mounts but it’s at your own risk.

It should be noted some early production models (pre 2008) have roll bar bushing that cause a similar problem.


Orb

A quick test for either component is just to spray some lube on them and take it for a quick test drive. The lube may quiet down the component for a short period of time for you to determine the source of the noise. The other option is to install chassis ears to those components and go for a test drive.

[MrWhite1015]

exactly what part do i need to order to replace ?


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...14&hg=31&fg=10

[SGxi]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Could be from the valving package internally.

So this would be an issue with the shocks themselves? My chirping (occasional) seems to come from the rear. It is very possible it came from the bushing for the UUC sway bar bushings, as I heard it is notorious for making noises.

Originally Posted by MrWhite1015

exactly what part do i need to order to replace ?

I think is #1 in here?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

[MrWhite1015]

Originally Posted by SGxi

So this would be an issue with the shocks themselves? My chirping (occasional) seems to come from the rear. It is very possible it came from the bushing for the UUC sway bar bushings, as I heard it is notorious for making noises.



I think is #1 in here?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

anyone know if thats the right part ?

[Hedges]

I think i'm going to pass on these...

[SGxi]

The chirping seems to come and go, I can't really figure out how I can replicate this. It only happens over small uneven road surfaces with minor bumps, and the noise is coming from the rear. Looks like I will get my rear mounts replaced and see if this will resolve the issue. My car has about 50k miles so it might be time to get this replaced and have my bushings properly greased again and see if that resolves the issue.

[Yvette]

ouch guess KW is not for me

[SGxi]

It's about -15C (5F) overhere. The chirping noise is very prominent and more frequent now. I am sure this is probably more temperature related. Perhaps the rubber on the related suspension components got too hard as the temperature drops?