Front Suspension noise

[DINANM3]

Originally Posted by vonchor

I'm having this done on my 4.8iS in about a week, obviously under warranty:

SI B 31 01 05
Body Equipment May 2005
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Front Wheel Bearing Noise

MODEL
E53 (X5) produced up to January 2005.

SITUATION
Metallic knocking noise heard coming from the front axle area or through the floor panel.

CAUSE
The wheel bearing seat comes loose in the swivel bearing.

CORRECTION

Confirm the wheel bearing noise:

Bring the front axle components to normal operating temperature by driving and braking repeatedly for about 10 minutes.

Drive a complete circle with the steering wheel in full lock position to produce a high lateral acceleration.

Stop the vehicle and, with the vehicle in a stationary position, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction for three turns. Do not turn to the full lock position.

Engage reverse gear and pull away abruptly. Listen for a brief, distinct metallic knocking noise to confirm the wheel bearing noise.

This Service Information does not apply if a rattling or chattering noise is heard.

The wheel bearing noise may be resonated to the transfer case via output shafts. Replacing the output shafts or the transfer case will not remedy the situation.

PROCEDURE
Once the wheel bearing noise has been confirmed, both front wheel bearings and drive flanges can be replaced by following the Repair Instruction RA 31 21 180.

NOTES

Ensure that the bearing press fit area is clean and free of oil and grease.

Coat wheel bearing seat in the swivel bearing over 50% of its length with either Loctite 648 (3 hours curing time at 70°F) or Loctite 638 (6 hours curing time at 70°F).

It is important to observe the curing time and the ambient temperature. It may take up to 24 hours curing time if either Loctite is applied at 40°F.

During curing time, do not move the vehicle or use brakes.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Information only.

[ Copyright © 2005 BMW of North America, LLC ]

Hi Vonchor,

Where did you get this information. It is exactly what is happening to my x5. Is there somewhere i can go and get info like this so i can print it out and bring it to my dealer.
Thanks

[x5fromOz]

FYI...My 4.4 has been diagnosed with having a worn/faulty steering rack. I think this is a little unfair at 85k klms???

[vonchor]

Originally Posted by DINANM3

Hi Vonchor,

Where did you get this information. It is exactly what is happening to my x5. Is there somewhere i can go and get info like this so i can print it out and bring it to my dealer.
Thanks

The service manager emailed it to me. It's code # is
SI B 31 01 05
Body Equipment May 2005
Technical Service
as shown in my post. That's all I know. The work
was done this past week (27 June 05) and the
problem seems to have vanished.

[DINANM3]

Thanks for posting that Vonchor. It helped me out a lot.. I have been trying to figure out what it was since i bought my X5. The dealer always said they can not figure it out. I tested it and it seems to be exactly what you described. I am bringing the printout to them next week. The only thing is i have an 04 4.4i wonder if that matters.

[vonchor]

Originally Posted by DINANM3

Thanks for posting that Vonchor. It helped me out a lot.. I have been trying to figure out what it was since i bought my X5. The dealer always said they can not figure it out. I tested it and it seems to be exactly what you described. I am bringing the printout to them next week. The only thing is i have an 04 4.4i wonder if that matters.

Note: "E53 (X5) produced up to January 2005."

The service mgr told me that this can affect ANY X5. But they
don't fix it unless you demonstrably have the problem which is
why they have this specific (but whacky sounding) test. My '01
X5 3.0i Sport did not have this problem at all.

[lonestarBMW]

JV, has the replacement of the sway bar links fixed the knocking problem over small bumps? I think I have the same problem that I haven't confirmed yet.

[JV]

Originally Posted by lonestarBMW

JV, has the replacement of the sway bar links fixed the knocking problem over small bumps? I think I have the same problem that I haven't confirmed yet.

Yes it has. I've had no issues with the noises since the replacement. All the same, if you can get your dealer to look at it, it might be wise. It could be something else, but if it's a hollow sounding thump, I'd bet it's the link.

JV

[newbie1]

Hi All,

I have just got a 2001 X5 and am noticing a knocking noise from the front r/h suspension.
It sounds like a shock absorber fault and is mainly noticable at speeds up to 30mph.

The handling and drive comfort is not affected at all but it is annoying. I can see from this thread that the sway bar links seem a common cause of this, but I have had a look under and all seems ok, no signs of play in the links, I also tried the wheel bearing test in this thread and that all seems ok. Any ideas on this would be appeciated.

Also, I have seen a couple of threads saying its the contol arm bushes, is it worth changing these as well, please can someone point out what item they are on the picture attached


Cheers,

Jon

[newbie1]

To add to the last post, is the control arm bushings a common fault on the X5

[fast4d]

it's number 10. you buy the the entire arm which comes with a new bushing installed plus a new ball joint.

it's about 30 minutes to replace each side.

Originally Posted by newbie1

Hi All,

I have just got a 2001 X5 and am noticing a knocking noise from the front r/h suspension.
It sounds like a shock absorber fault and is mainly noticable at speeds up to 30mph.

The handling and drive comfort is not affected at all but it is annoying. I can see from this thread that the sway bar links seem a common cause of this, but I have had a look under and all seems ok, no signs of play in the links, I also tried the wheel bearing test in this thread and that all seems ok. Any ideas on this would be appeciated.

Also, I have seen a couple of threads saying its the contol arm bushes, is it worth changing these as well, please can someone point out what item they are on the picture attached


Cheers,

Jon