108,000 miles on my 2005 545i.

I've been noticing a rather loud creaking sound as I get in and out of my car, drive out of my garage, driveway, or over any other uneven surfaces. It comes from the rear suspension. I will admit that I need to lose some weight, but I'm only 195 lbs... so I don't think that's the cause for the noise.

Anyone have any ideas why this might happen? Maybe some of the suspension components are worn out?

 

If it only does it over bumps and level changes, I'd check your shocks/struts - at that mileage, the original ones are certainly toasted. Also check the operation of the bushings under there, see if you can replicate the noise by jacking up, then lowering slowly, the car and just listen down/back there while you do it to try and identify the souce of the noise.

FWIW, it's probably worth it in to replace the shocks/struts and springs anyway, whether its the cause of the noise or not.

Personally, since noise diagnosis is equal parts science and art, I'd be inclined to take the car to a mechanic for a diagnosis. Make sure it's BMW shop though, I've had generic shops mis-diagnose suspension noises in the past on uncommon cars.

 

Go to the back of the car and bounce it / push down with force and listen for sounds . While doing so see if it keeps bouncing and or is squishy. This will kind of tell you how bad the shocks/struts are .

 

They are rear ball joints!

 

A "creak" is normally related to the vibration of a rubber component against metal. A "screech" is metal to metal.

On a 545i rear suspension, you have a whole lot of rubber bushing to metal contact as shown below:



You can try a penetrating lubricant (Sea Foam) on the various contact points; but that is a short-term, quick, fix. More than likely, you have actual wear causing the creaking, and that can only be remedied by replacement of the component.