1993 325i - Rear Driver Tire Making Bouncing Noise. Bushing Maybe??

[UnSavvy]

So my rear driver side tire makes this noise like its a slight bounce up and down all the time. It's happened before a long time ago and the guy said it wasn't the shock, but a "little piece that sits on top of the shock" that needed to be replaced.

Its not like a grinding or anything and the shocks still feel tight, it's just the tire on that side that makes that slight noise all the time. It doesn't do it when I go over a speed bump but if I'm just driving down the street, even when I'm driving slowly I can hear it.

I've looked online and see that it could be bushing or control arm bushing or maybe shock mount?

Has anyone else had this issue? It happened with my last BMW, which was a 1992 325i. Same tire. Is this common. the alignment and all tires are fine. Brakes are fine. It's really just that one tire.

[markdas]

If the shock top mount is worn it will move around in the housing and maybe you will hear a clunking noise. If it sheared all together then the shock will slide up into the housing and cause the tyre to lift off the road as you describe.

It could also be a worn shock absorber......replace both and do both sides!

[Manolito]

Is it a clunk or a "whump" "whump" sound that varies with speed? When these rear wheel bearings go out, they make a whump whump, that you notice more in the first couple of miles when cold.

[coolbear1]

I have replaced both mounts and bearings more than once on my 93 (same model/year as your car).
If it is intermitant thumping that sounds like your spare tire is loose in your trunk when you hit a bump it is most likely your shock mount. If it is somewhat steady, and more of a low roaring noise that will change tone or even stop when you turn, could be wheel bearing.
Better hope it is the shock mount, (easy and cheap 30 min. job).
Rear bearing and races on the other hand are pressed into the trailing arm, requires a special stub shaft press, not puller. you have to push the stub shaft on the CV out of the hub/bearing assy, then pull the bearng and race out of the trailing arm to get the bearing out.
If you have not done so try jacking the car up and take a stout board like a 2x4 at least 5 ft long, and put it under the wheel that is noisy, pick up and down, you may find the problem.
Good luck, hope this helps.