Please help. Loud clunk

[addiction]

Hello all.

I replace the whole front suspension components on my x5 this weekend. I got it aligned and installed new tires. Drives great now. It's amazing what new bushings can do. Anyways here's the problem. When I'm driving randomly I hear a clunking noise on the drivers side front tire. At first I thought it was only over pot holes but no. It's very random. I rechecked all my connections, bolts etc. I lubed the bushings and nothing helps. It's almost the sound of the cv axle pop without turning. When I was working on it though I did say to myself that I was moving that cv joint at really radical angles and I needed to be careful. The axles look great but that doesn't mean I didn't screw it up. What else could it be? I can't seem to think it's the transfer case because it was fine the day before.

It's an 01 4.4 sport with 208k. I doubt those axles have been replaced.


Please help

[TerminatorX5]

definetely issue with your install... tripple check your work, ask a friend to help out... something is stressing under a load, something that you can not see while under the car in suspended state...

[Rockit]

I just replace most of my front end parts, they start to go at 80k. When I was done I noticed the upper strut bushing were worn, they had play in them. They start to knock when they go bad, very common.

When I was done with all the front end stuff about a week later I also got a knocking. It was the joint where the sway bar connects to was worn.

All you have to do is get the front end up off the ground and start grabbing parts and check for play. When I grabbed the sway bar end I could easy hear the knocking noise. 2 weeks ago it was fine.

Worn CV joints usually only make noise when your turning on acceleration.

[addiction]

I think I found the culprit. The only thing I didn't replace was the inner tie rod ends. When I suspended the front end today I had my wife turn the steering wheel. There's not enough play to move the tire but enough to clank when you jerk it. I guess when they did they were setting the caster they moved the inners around enough to make them noisy now. At least one side.

[X5Cat]

I replaced some ball joints, control arms, and a CV axle several months back. Like Rockit, about a week later, I start hearing this clunking noise as I go down the road. I had it raised up on a rack and looked at. The guy who installed the ball joints, control arms, & axle for me said everything is tight, that I should suspect the struts. I'd once been thinking the same myself, but I'm just not so sure now. I don't see any oil leaking from them. I know struts can sometimes make a bumping noise if certain parts go. Maybe I can remove them and look them over. Just hate to go to that trouble without knowing. It sounds a bit like a loose brake caliper, but I checked the caliper bolts and they seem fine.