Bad sounds coming from the tunnel to the rear of car

[Dinobyte]

Well...the test drive did not go so well. The sound/vibration is back...just as when the bolt was loose. When I accelerate and the car squats, the sound gets worse. No sound/vibration in normal grandma type driving. Even in light acceleration, there is vibration.

I am diving back under the car to see if anything is rubbing or still loose. Arrggh!

[round_midnight]

Check the condition of the bushing and make sure the rubber isn't torn. Also make sure that the bushing is not loose in the trailing arm. Another possibility is that in your picture, it looks like the bracket that the bolt goes into may be bent, allowing free play.

Also, just a short FYI. e36 BMWs and hence BDRs like to have some toe-in at the rear wheels. .25 degree is good. Mine handled like a pig until I found out that someone had put .25 degrees toe-out instead of toe-in. Terrible oversteer, even with no throttle. Handles like a completely different car now.

P.S. Have the alignment shop use alignment specs for a '97 BMW 328is when they align it.

[Dinobyte]

Guess what I found....a sheared bolt!



Trying to identify the correct name for the bolt and nut so I can go pick one up. Does anyone know the correct name for this and what happens if it is not bolted?

It is located right under the diff.