Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 07-19-2018, 04:59 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 42
chrisfuture8 is on a distinguished road
Clunking noise under front passenger side...help!

Hello All,

This is my very post to this forum and I hope I can get some helpful suggestions/info from someone who's knowledgeable with the front suspension or has experienced this problem before.

This 2002 X5 4.4 with a 130K miles is (well, was) my wife's daily driver until everything that can go wrong started going wrong.

I'm not new to BMW (I actually owned 3, 5 series in the past and now has an 850 for 10 years) and have been working on them for about 10 years now.

On this X5, I have done a long laundry list of R/R since the beginning of the year. Some of the things I have done were:

1: Upper timing covers resealed
2: Valve cover gaskets replacement
3: CAM sensors replacement
4: New spark plugs
5: Timing chain tensioner replaced
6: New tires
7: New sway bar links
8: New upper control arms
9: New driver's door handle
10: New fuel pump
11: New fuel filter
12: Recent coolant expansion tank replacement
13: New front passenger wheel axle
14: Rebuilt driver's side wheel axle with new CV boots/grease
15: etc, etc.

After I replaced the upper control arms, sway bar links, and axles, I partially tighten the bolts and set the car level on the ground to put proper load on the suspension. I then proceeded with fully tightening the axle nuts, and suspension component bolts/nuts.

When I drive on city streets I hear these loud clunking noise underneath the front passenger side. I can't make out what it is and everything seems tight.
On the freeway and at speeds in excess of 65mph, I don't hear the clunking noise...it seems smooth and quiet. Any speeds lower than that and especially around surface roads, the noise is quite obvious.

What have I missed and has anyone experienced this before? I also want to mention that I actually replaced the torn CV boots on both axles where the old grease was cleaned off and new grease added. Due to the noise on the front passenger side, I thought perhaps the CV joint has gone bad so I went and replaced OEM wheel axle just about 30 minutes ago and took the SUV for a test. Didn't change anything...still that noisy clunky sound.

Could the removal and re-installation of the support plate underneath the engine be a culprit? I have removed it before and never had the problem. Reason why I ask is because the sway bar moves freely when the plate is removed and when installed, perhaps the sway bar is misaligned and twist...?

Hoping someone with suspension knowledge can share some ideas.

Thanks.

Last edited by chrisfuture8; 07-19-2018 at 05:05 AM.
Reply With Quote
 

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:09 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.