Cold Weather Suspension Noise?

WISluggo · 12-02-2024, 09:33 AM

I have a new to me 2021 m550, and I live in Wisconsin. This past week the weather turned cold (mid teens/20s) and I have noticed a creaking sound when going over bumps, like speed bumps.

At first I thought it was going to be something like the oil in the struts being cold, but the car is parked in a heated garage at night. So when I leave in the morning, the sound isn't present but within 10 minutes of driving in cold temps the sound appears.

Is it possible some bushings are getting cold and need to be greased? It's under warranty, so I will have the dealer check it out, but the noise doesn't seem to appear unless the temps are below 25 degrees or so.

Warp Ten · 12-05-2024, 11:03 AM

I had the same thing happen regularly on my 2010 E60 535xi. Probably right that it was simply bushings stiffening up in the cold. When the weather warmed up the noise went away. Never really worried about it and I have not noticed it in my 2019 540xi. --Bob

430Scud · 12-05-2024, 12:36 PM

The quick and easy fix is to spray all the bushings the are localized to making the noise with aerosal silicone spray. I have done that to a car I had years ago that did that...That would keep the noise at bay for several months...at least until temperatures warmed.

The fix would be to remove and grease the offending bushing with some appropriate/compatible grease. It can be hard to find the exact one, though there are tools like chassis ears, than can zero it down...but takes time to find. BMW dealers may have more experience and aware of specific bushings that are known to be the cause.

12-02-2024, 09:33 AM	#1
WISluggo Enlisted Member 26 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2021 M550 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Cold Weather Suspension Noise? I have a new to me 2021 m550, and I live in Wisconsin. This past week the weather turned cold (mid teens/20s) and I have noticed a creaking sound when going over bumps, like speed bumps. At first I thought it was going to be something like the oil in the struts being cold, but the car is parked in a heated garage at night. So when I leave in the morning, the sound isn't present but within 10 minutes of driving in cold temps the sound appears. Is it possible some bushings are getting cold and need to be greased? It's under warranty, so I will have the dealer check it out, but the noise doesn't seem to appear unless the temps are below 25 degrees or so.
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12-05-2024, 11:03 AM	#2
Warp Ten Captain 885 Rep 760 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540xi Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Lake Bluff IL iTrader: (0)	I had the same thing happen regularly on my 2010 E60 535xi. Probably right that it was simply bushings stiffening up in the cold. When the weather warmed up the noise went away. Never really worried about it and I have not noticed it in my 2019 540xi. --Bob __________________ 2019 540xi M Sport, Carbon Black/Cognac, 2014 328xi, 2016 Corvette Z06; Previous:2010 BMW 535xi M Sp, 2008 335xi, 1998 M3 Sedan,1980 528i, 1977 320i, 1976 2002 Last edited by Warp Ten; 12-06-2024 at 09:36 AM..
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12-05-2024, 12:36 PM	#3
430Scud Lieutenant 453 Rep 462 Posts Drives: M550iX,430 Scud,E39 540Msport Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	The quick and easy fix is to spray all the bushings the are localized to making the noise with aerosal silicone spray. I have done that to a car I had years ago that did that...That would keep the noise at bay for several months...at least until temperatures warmed. The fix would be to remove and grease the offending bushing with some appropriate/compatible grease. It can be hard to find the exact one, though there are tools like chassis ears, than can zero it down...but takes time to find. BMW dealers may have more experience and aware of specific bushings that are known to be the cause.
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