Need your folks help here. This noise is driving me crazy.

New 2013 R56 with 500 miles.
Upgrade Parts:
HSport Comp Rear Swaybars
HSport Camber Links
NM Springs
Koni Yellows

I notice this rattling type noise a few days later after these parts were installed. It only happens small bumps in the road and is driving me nuts. I went back to the place that installed it and they think it's because the swaybar is to big and hitting the body. When it was jacked up, I saw no sign of it hitting the body. While I was there I had them position the endlinks from soft to medium settings. He advise me maybe getting a smaller swaybar might fix the problem.

I'm hoping when you listen to the recording you can identify the noise or point me in the right direction.

It is very hard to capture the sound. Listen for the rattling higher pitch sound in the background. Any help is appreciated.

 

Hard to hear anything from that video. My first instinct would be that the shop didn't properly tighten down one of the top nuts on the struts. This is unlikely since they probably used an impact to put the shock/spring together. If they didn't use an impact and just tightened it with a wrench that's probably your issue. They could have also assembled the rear shock upper mount wrong. If they think the swaybar is hitting the body you could disconnect the endlinks and tie the swaybar up and out of the way. I would keep taking it back to the shop till it's fixed.

 

Just a guess. Sway bar bushings wrong size. Try greasing them & see if gets quieter for a while.

 

I doubt any of this is "hardware fault" related, but rather installer/torque issues.

I would check to make sure the tops of the struts are tight, as well as the upper rear spring pockets where they bolt to the body.

 

It might be hard to hear on laptop speakers. I'll turn up the gain on the audio after work.

I don't think it's the bushing, unless HSPORT sent the wrong one, which I feel at this point anything is possible. They are greased very well.

If they didn't tighten the top bold is that the noise it will produce?

Also folks with Koni Yellows did the stock split washer fit?

*Forgot to add this noise is emitting from the right rear only*

 

Another guess. Have you checked the spare tire (if any) and the rear tool kit? On my Cooper I had a rattle that was coming from a loose bit in the spare/hanger/shield assembly.

 

I removed the toolkit, license plate, headrest, rear latches, removed rear hatch cover, rear seat belts, and heat shield.

 

+1. I had a similar problem on my other car, persistent rattle from the front suspension. After trying many other things, I finally dropped the strut/spring assembly out and found that the shop hadn't torqued the nut on top properly. Snugged it up and problem solved.

 

+1 on the top shock nut. I've had this happen on my last two MINI's. They need to be torqued down with a large impact gun or they eventually come loose. I have the 25mm comp bar and it does not create any noise.

 

Boom!! Rattle gone.

I think you folks are right. Top nut. I can't confirm it because I didn't tighten it straight off the bat. We replace the rear strut bushing first with power flex bushings and reinstalled the struts.

So happy the noise is gone..... For now. I do think maybe the installer enlarged the top mount hole to accommodate the koni's to much. If the noise comes back I'll replace them.