dull "clunk" around front left, slow speeds

[kevinkay]

When driving at slow speeds, "clunk, clunk, clunk"......small dips in road, "clunk, clunk". Dull sound like hitting a plastic drum or the jack is bouncing around in the trunk.

"clunk" can be reproduced by bouncing UP on passengers front fender - but sound coming from drivers front. (my helper not strong enough to bounce and not observent enough to locate -so kinda on my own). Strange part when wheels are turned (to get a good look at suspension parts), I can not reproduce noise bouncing at either fender.

coincidence? noise started after repair of that wheels bearing. Nothing obvious, not coming from top of strut bearing (where plastic cover is removed). Suspension parts seem as loose/stiff as the other side, New ball joint, Big control arm - no rubber tears, stabilizer bars have movement but seem OK.

First thought - I damaged the wishbone rubber where it attaches to the frame as i use that as a jack point when I need to slip a jack stand at the "official" jack point. probably not a good time to ask, but where do others use as alternate front jack point?

[rb0135]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

When driving at slow speeds, "clunk, clunk, clunk"......small dips in road, "clunk, clunk". Dull sound like hitting a plastic drum or the jack is bouncing around in the trunk.

"clunk" can be reproduced by bouncing UP on passengers front fender - but sound coming from drivers front. (my helper not strong enough to bounce and not observent enough to locate -so kinda on my own). Strange part when wheels are turned (to get a good look at suspension parts), I can not reproduce noise bouncing at either fender.

coincidence? noise started after repair of that wheels bearing. Nothing obvious, not coming from top of strut bearing (where plastic cover is removed). Suspension parts seem as loose/stiff as the other side, New ball joint, Big control arm - no rubber tears, stabilizer bars have movement but seem OK.

First thought - I damaged the wishbone rubber where it attaches to the frame as i use that as a jack point when I need to slip a jack stand at the "official" jack point. probably not a good time to ask, but where do others use as alternate front jack point?

I cant believe this... I was reading your post and thought I posted it myself. I have exactly the same problem, after getting one wheel bearing done. The clunk is only on that side, not the other.

My shop (which are pretty good) are trying to figure the issue out. They have checked everything, all tight, no rubber problems, ball joints perfect.

I find large bumps, no noise, but a small bump, even like running over a small twig/tree branch on the road, you get the clunk.

I hope someone has experience with this..

It is definitely NOT the same CLUNK you get when you need to change the lower bushes on the tension strut.

Rob

[Pup X5]

May not be the correct answer, but, I would check the ball joints... I chased this for a while, and replacing the ball joints is what took care of it... A little play in a ball joint is magnified in a big way at times...

Another thing, last week I found a thread that told about the rear hatch bump stops and I adjusted those outward and that got rid of a VERY annoying rattle... These are the bump stops that the rear hatch rest on when closed. Located on the left and right channels in the hatch openening when the upper hatch is open they can bee seen... Evidently the rubber stops wear over time, and losening the torx screw in each one and unscrewing the rubber stop outward takes up the slack... It got rid of some irrating noises, and took only a few minutes..


Just my 2cents..

[rb0135]

Originally Posted by Pup X5

May not be the correct answer, but, I would check the ball joints... I chased this for a while, and replacing the ball joints is what took care of it... A little play in a ball joint is magnified in a big way at times...

Another thing, last week I found a thread that told about the rear hatch bump stops and I adjusted those outward and that got rid of a VERY annoying rattle... These are the bump stops that the rear hatch rest on when closed. Located on the left and right channels in the hatch openening when the upper hatch is open they can bee seen... Evidently the rubber stops wear over time, and losening the torx screw in each one and unscrewing the rubber stop outward takes up the slack... It got rid of some irrating noises, and took only a few minutes..


Just my 2cents..

Thanks for your reply.. In my case, it is not the ball joints (although I suspected that first). They have been checked out and there is nothing wrong with them (from my shop).

[kevinkay]

Changed my sway bar links and "clunk" is GONE!

$60 fix, Lemforder
old links were looser than new but did'nt feel "falling apart", I was convinced the dull "clunk" had to be coming from something more substantial.
easy fix, but you need 2 jacks (one to raise the steering knuckle to release tension) and a thin 18mm wrench to hold the back.
No real change is ride/performance. HUGE difference is aesthetics

Ever notice when you fix one noise it makes it quieter to hear the new ones!

[ecproductions143]

Sway bar links 19.99 from bavauto.com just do both sides cheap and easy fix.Welcome to bavauto.com | Sway Bar Link - Front Left - Bavarian Autosport

[gongetya]

Sway bar links are $16 for the pair at fcpeuro
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-x5-x5linkkit

[kevinkay]

I went to buy those $16 links at FCP, (stopped there as I happened to be in the area). The guy opened the boxes so I could see them - they didnt match, they were the same length and had the proper bends (left and right), but one had heftier ball joints than the other side?? Salesman could not explain it, they did not match the photo on the website but stock numbers matched. Asked if we could compare them to the Lemforder which had both sides with the same bigger joint.
Bought the Lemforders

[Ricky Bobby]

^^Agreed, I would only buy Lemforder or Meyle HD for those links

[rb0135]

Its not the sway bar links.

Mine were done with original parts, still the same problem and everything else checks out perfectly.