Creaking noise / sound from package shelf or rear shock mounts

[M3 Driver]

In the passenger cabin, I hear an intermittent creaking noise / sound from package shelf / rear shock mount area. How can I remove / resolve this? I suspect that it is common to all e46 coupes.

[M3 Driver]

i should add that i am running a slightly wider set of tires and spacers and have done so since i bought the car in 2004. the noise came about in more recent years and maybe is simply old rubber bushings.

[beefaroni]

If the creak you are referring to is the same as mine, its coming from the folding rear seats. There is a rubber/plastic pad that acts as sort of a bump stop. The creak comes from those pieced rubbing together. I added some sil-glyde grease to mine.

[M3 Driver]

If the creak you are referring to is the same as mine, its coming from the folding rear seats. There is a rubber/plastic pad that acts as sort of a bump stop. The creak comes from those pieced rubbing together. I added some sil-glyde grease to mine.

thanks for the input Beefaroni. i think this will be the easiest and least expensive "repair" yet for my e46. I will try it this week.

[dog2bert]

Also look up the tennis ball mod

[old///MFanatic]

I would drop the rear seats and see if the sound continues. If not it’s something with rear seat. If so try to detect where it’s coming from with seat down.
Areas to inspect would be rear shock mounts. If you’re using poly bushings, like for the RTABs, it may need to be re-lubed.

[T.J.]

The piece of plastic trim at the back of the parcel shelf is also known to rub against the body and make noise.

[heinzboehmer]

Areas to inspect would be rear shock mounts. If you’re using poly bushings, like for the RTABs, it may need to be re-lubed.

I've got a similar sound that started around the time I swapped out my rear shock mounts. It can be heard with the seats up or down. If it does turn out to be the rear shock mounts, how would I fix it?

[old///MFanatic]

I've got a similar sound that started around the time I swapped out my rear shock mounts. It can be heard with the seats up or down. If it does turn out to be the rear shock mounts, how would I fix it?

Well sometimes people forget to install the washer underneath the mount. It then pushes out the top bonded rubber of mount. It can start as a squeak until completely separated and then it’s a clunk. It could also be tightened down too loose or tight. Open the trunk and rock the back of car up and down and listen.
Another less common squeak after rear shock install is tightening the rear shock on the bottom to car while it’s hanging from jack stands. This pre-loads it on the lower shock’s built-in rubber bushing.

[heinzboehmer]

Well sometimes people forget to install the washer underneath the mount. It then pushes out the top bonded rubber of mount. It can start as a squeak until completely separated and then it’s a clunk. It could also be tightened down too loose or tight. Open the trunk and rock the back of car up and down and listen.
Another less common squeak after rear shock install is tightening the rear shock on the bottom to car while it’s hanging from jack stands. This pre-loads it on the lower shock’s built-in rubber bushing.

Now that I think about it more, the last thing I did before hearing the noise was stitch weld the driver's side rear arch (couple weeks after changing out the shock mounts). Noise is coming from that same side. I'll double check to make sure I didn't accidentally miss a washer or preload the shock bushing. Thank you!