Small clunk from rear with intial braking

[dog2bert]

Getting a small clunk noise, only once, when the brake peddle is initially pushed.

Jacked up the rear end and tried to reproduce and didn't hear it.

Back on the ground it did it again.

When the rear end was off the ground, I manually spun the rear wheel. When I would reverse the direction, I would get a similar noise to what I am hearing while driving.

What do you think it could be? Worn differential or axels or lsd?

Car has 60k miles.

[JamesSJ1]

Drive-train "clunk" is generally a well-known phenomena of the E46 M3. I would guess differential if you had 160k miles, but at only 60k miles it's most likely just the slack in the driveline. The similar noise when you reverse direction spinning the diff is just the normal driveline lash that every car has from the various moving components of the drive axles and the diff. Maybe you could get a video and post it, then it will be easier for others to weigh in on if this is the known normal amount, or something excessive.

[duracellttu]

How old are your brake pads? You can develop a clunk in the rear end that comes from the brake pad with the clip that inserts into the caliper piston. The rivet can become loose and create play, which is the cause of the clunk. Easy to unmount the caliper to check the pads.

[dog2bert]

I am planning on replacing my rear brake pad and rotors soon so hopefully that is the issue

[elbert]

I am planning on replacing my rear brake pad and rotors soon so hopefully that is the issue

Definitely check the brake pads. I had a similar noise once -- it was because the pad friction material had separated from the backing plate.

[dog2bert]

Replacing the rear pads and rotors solved the sound I was hearing.

Didn't notice anything wrong with the pads when I removed them.

[duracellttu]

Replacing the rear pads and rotors solved the sound I was hearing.

Didn't notice anything wrong with the pads when I removed them.

Glad to hear it was a simple and inexpensive fix!