Strange front end clunk when braking...

[TowX]

On my way back from VIR, towing my car and trailer, every time I'd drive maybe 5 miles and hit the brakes, I'd get a clunk from the right front. Can feel it in the steering wheel too. Pulled into a rest area, and driving 5mph every time I hit the brakes, clunk. Did a quick visual to be sure nothing was torn or falling off, and called my dealer. His first thought was thrust arm failure. So I continued the 800 mile trip.

So, I know the thrust arms/ bushings are a notorious BMW problem. Ahd them replaced on my E39 5-series, and the left side on the X5 was replaced for clunking over bumps. But this makes no noise over bumps, just when braking. Obviously I've parked the X5 until the dealer can fit me in (2 weeks if you can believe that!!) Worse is that I turned over 50K miles on this return trip.

So, has anyone else experienced this sort of symptom when the thrust arm went bad?

[Butt]

Just have a quick look at your cv joints, that tend to happen when they are worn. Auch!!!, quite costly too to get 'em replaced.

[Big "J"]

Could be your control arm bushings and/ or your sway bar link.

[Thumbs]

I had something similar on my '01, at about the same mileage. It was years ago, but I seem to remember the repair being covered under a recall and not a warranty item. Certainly worth checking into!

Best of Luck,
Randy H

[ccarrera]

Have you replaced your brake pads recently? If so, did you use OEM or aftermarket replacements? I had this exact same problem on my '01 325Ci, about 500 miles after I replaced the front brake pads with Akeebonos. Took it to my mechanic and he suggested getting a replacement pair and give it a try. I contacted Akeebono and they sent a free replacement, and the problem is gone after I changed them.

Akeebonos are great pads, and they meet OEM specs, so I am not suspicious about them, I think it may have been a bad batch or something. I replaced the pads on both sides, but I was only getting the "clunk" from the front passenger's side.

Hopethis helps.

[Weasel]

That sounds just like thrust rod bushings. Clunk when first applying the brakes, or repeadedly hitting at 5-10 mph. Clunk felt when driving up a curb also... Why was the left side replaced without the right???? They should be replaced as a pair/set! But its a safe bet with the thrust rod bushings.

[TowX]

All good thoughts. Brake pads have been in there a year so that's not it. CV's are fine. I'm betting thrust arms too. Left was replaced by dealer not because of noise but because they thought it was bent when I took delivery of it. Agree that the factory procedure for warranty is in pairs, but they covered on their own dime since it was sold to me that way. Maybe under warranty now they'll replace both.

Symptons are exactly like Weasel described, now frequently on the highway too. If I drive a few miles pulling the trailer up a long hill, then hit the brakes on the downhill side, can hear it, plus it tugs the steering wheel to the right at the same time. Car finally goes in on Monday. Can't believe I had to wait 2 weeks to get it in to repair a potential safety issue. good thing I had the 528 (with fresh thrust arm bushings) to drive since I parked the X5 two weeks ago.

[omodos]

Did you get this sorted out in the end, I get the same noise too but even whilst braking to come to a stop in my very tight driveway so basically rolling along under 5mph....hmmmm no shake in steering when I brake or drive on the highway or click.clunk when turning but only when I tap slightly on the brakes and only audible with windows down....

[rb0135]

Is there any pictures or how to replace the thrust rod bushings tutorial?

I had a look on REALOEM but couldnt find the part.

Thanks,
Rob

[omodos]

do a search lots of posts, most recent one is this:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rust-arms.html