Suspension rattling after installing Bilstein B8’s.

Chrisguilday · 10-01-2022, 04:47 PM

Hello guys, I have a 2011 E93 335i with 120K miles.

I have M-sport suspension, and my struts were completely blown. I bought Bilstein B8 struts and replaced all 4. When replacing the struts I also replaced all the hardware / rubber pieces.

Immediately after replacing the struts I started hearing a TON of metallic pops and clanks, so I thought it was my control arms and the new struts were just transferring the energy more into the control arms. So I replaced all the control arms except the one that adjusts the alignment. They were mostly OK except the real small one (tie rod?) as it was completely shot.

Now there is definitely less noise, but I’m still hearing a lot of hollow-ish sounding metallic pop / clank noises when going over smaller bumps / cracks in the road.

Is it possible I didn’t tighten down the main top bolt enough? How tight are you supposed to make those? I wasn’t sure how far you tighten them, are they supposed to be bolted down all the way? Or what else could be the problem here?

Chrisguilday · 10-01-2022, 05:56 PM

Never mind, it was the top nut not tightened enough.

Jaronbwall · 10-17-2022, 01:09 PM

Chrisguilday How tight did you up setting the bolts? From my understanding with suspension those nuts simply "hold" the strut up in position. They don't get torqued to a high amount, correct?
I'm at 116k miles... my struts are smoked as well. Original m-sport suspension. I'm seeing some oil leaking on a front strut already. Considering the B8 or B12 kits and lowering the car 3/4''. It would be a DIY install.

How do you like the B8 kit so far?

whyzee125 · 10-18-2022, 10:46 AM

You said you replaced all except the one that adjusts the alignment. Are you talking about rear?

This may not be what you were implying but you absolutely do need an alignment after any suspension work except rear shocks.

10-01-2022, 04:47 PM	#1
Chrisguilday Enlisted Member 9 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 335i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Suspension rattling after installing Bilstein B8’s. Hello guys, I have a 2011 E93 335i with 120K miles. I have M-sport suspension, and my struts were completely blown. I bought Bilstein B8 struts and replaced all 4. When replacing the struts I also replaced all the hardware / rubber pieces. Immediately after replacing the struts I started hearing a TON of metallic pops and clanks, so I thought it was my control arms and the new struts were just transferring the energy more into the control arms. So I replaced all the control arms except the one that adjusts the alignment. They were mostly OK except the real small one (tie rod?) as it was completely shot. Now there is definitely less noise, but I’m still hearing a lot of hollow-ish sounding metallic pop / clank noises when going over smaller bumps / cracks in the road. Is it possible I didn’t tighten down the main top bolt enough? How tight are you supposed to make those? I wasn’t sure how far you tighten them, are they supposed to be bolted down all the way? Or what else could be the problem here? Last edited by Chrisguilday; 10-01-2022 at 05:40 PM..
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10-01-2022, 05:56 PM	#2
Chrisguilday Enlisted Member 9 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 335i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Never mind, it was the top nut not tightened enough.
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10-17-2022, 01:09 PM	#3
Jaronbwall Driving cars and riding bikes really fast 285 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Chrisguilday How tight did you up setting the bolts? From my understanding with suspension those nuts simply "hold" the strut up in position. They don't get torqued to a high amount, correct? I'm at 116k miles... my struts are smoked as well. Original m-sport suspension. I'm seeing some oil leaking on a front strut already. Considering the B8 or B12 kits and lowering the car 3/4''. It would be a DIY install. How do you like the B8 kit so far? __________________ 335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads. https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava
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10-18-2022, 10:46 AM	#4
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1665 Rep 3,629 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	You said you replaced all except the one that adjusts the alignment. Are you talking about rear? This may not be what you were implying but you absolutely do need an alignment after any suspension work except rear shocks.
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