3Series

I'm looking for some suggestions from the internet mechanics. My drivers side rear suspension squeaks when going over bumps and when I press down on that side. The passenger side seems fine. The car is a 997.2 with SPASM, 35k miles and maybe 30 track days.

1.) Is it the cold weather? The temps have plummeted 20-30 degrees in the last week or two.

2.) Broken/cracked spring? (the car doesn't look like it's sagging)

3.) Failed strut? (i don't really see any rebounding, but I'll admit haven't spent a lot of time messing around)

4.) Failed bushing? Is there a particular bushing that is prone to early failure?


To help, here's a diagram.

Red = Upper Control Arms
Blue = Lower Control Arms
Green = Sway and End Links

Patriot

Replacing the Front lower control arms and the Front diagonal arms on my 2011 Cayman resolved my squeaking. I had about 90,000 miles when I replaced them.

nwGTS

Get it on a lift and start shaking stuff. If that doesn't work, get it on a lift just off the floor and compress the suspension with a jack. Listen for the noise location when you compress it.

Bruce In Philly

I recommend a fantastic lubricant.... Winzer Polylube or Wurth HHS-K (aka 2000) ... I believe the Winzer is a relabeled HHS-K..... Just fantastic...... penetrating liquid that dissolves, penetrates, and then sets up. Perfect for this kind of stuff.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

BIG smoke

Of all my cars, most squeaks have been from the sway bar bushing.
Rear of the car? Try some of BiP's lube.
Having an older car does take some problem solving research and effort.
But that is why we are here...

Petza914

+1 on this.

3Series

Thanks for the tips. I'll focus on the vertical sway bar end link first (the vertical green circle). Hopefully I can isolate it and plan to replace some bushings in the spring.

I might shoot some Tri-Flow onto the bushings on the top and bottom and see what that does.