Hey Lads,
Ok, so for some time now the X5 has been making what sounds like a cracking noise in the front end somewhere. I also have a brake shudder from the front when I initially apply the brakes but that smoothes out after a the brakes settle in.
The cracking sound seems to be most prominent when I am initially backing up and turning the wheels and then again when I go forward. I believe it does it slightly while turning and driving but very noticeable at very slow speed such as backing out of the driveway.
After reading a bunch of posts, I settled on the idea that it was probably my CV axles making the noise. I have owned and driven the truck for three years and I have never changed them. I have no idea how old they are.
So today I went for it and bought a set of rebuilt axles. They look good and they feel solid. I thought the noise was coming from the right side and decided to replace that axle first which I did. The noise however, remains.
My first question pertains to a possible issue with the power steering and can a worn rack make such noises? I have never done one before so I do not know how they go bad and what they do. I do have some power steering fluid leaking from somewhere but haven't dived straight into that as it has only been drops coming from somewhere. Not enough to make any marks on the ground, just makes the hoses wet.
The second question I have involves the CV axles and to help me keep my sanity that I am not doing this for no reason. I checked the axle after I got it out of the truck and noticed play on one end when I counter twist the ends of the axle. Should there be any play at all in these cv joints? I ask because the new one has basically zero play by comparison and I want to feel good about spending the money and time knowing I did something good for the truck even if it wasn't to fix the problem I initially went after.
Oh, in case you want to ask, I am having a bitch of a time locating exactly where the noise is coming from. It doesn't do it at all when the truck is up off the ground and my son turns the wheels left and right. I have tried to follow on the ground as he backs up and goes forward and I have heard it but damned if I can locate exactly where it is coming from.
Bernie
3.0L
I am going to leave this thread here because this is a distinct possibility.
I have had the boots replaced so maybe the proper torque values were not applied.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...l-bearing.html
If anyone has the torque values for the components on the front end, it would be helpful.