Just replaced sway bars - with photos - Page 3

tony77ca · #21 03-10-2009, 09:29 AM

This might be a dumb question but the sway bar links are located at the front, am I right? Thanks.

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omodos · #22 03-10-2009, 09:32 AM

yes indeed number 7 on the pic below

tony77ca · #23 03-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Do I have to do a wheel alignment after the sway bar links are changed? You mentioned ealier in this thread that a wheel alignment should be done. You also mentioned that it should be taken to a machine shop to have old bushing pressed out and new one pressed in. Would any mechanic have this tool, because I am thinking about taking it to my mechanic. Thanks again for the help.

omodos · #24 03-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony77ca

Do I have to do a wheel alignment after the sway bar links are changed? You mentioned ealier in this thread that a wheel alignment should be done. You also mentioned that it should be taken to a machine shop to have old bushing pressed out and new one pressed in. Would any mechanic have this tool, because I am thinking about taking it to my mechanic. Thanks again for the help.

Tony the sway bar link rods don't have bushings as such , from what I gather the rods at each endhave a ball joint enclosed in that rubber housing as per pics and this ball joint is lubricated and that is what goes wrong causing clunking, bushes you refer to maybe the thrust rod bushings, that is not the same part as the sway bar and sway bar link rods

omodos · #25 03-10-2009, 10:52 AM

one forum member also mentioned making sure all bolts related to the sway bar and thrust rods etc were tight, he had the clunking noise had sway bar changed but no luck, and on a routine check at a dealer they tightened all bolts (not clear which ones) and noise gone!

tony77ca · #26 03-10-2009, 11:01 AM

I am sorry but I am confused. I am new to this, so please bear with me. I am hearing the clunk noise when I go over bumps. The car drives very smoothly at high speeds. After reading, I think I will need to change my say bar links. I will be taking it to my own mechanic, I will also ask him to tighten all the bolts.

Do I have to do a wheel alignment if I ended up changing the sway bar links? Would any mechanic be able to do it or should I go to the dealer.

Thanks again.

RichiRich · #27 03-10-2009, 11:09 AM

I had the same problem 2 years back......had both my control arms replaced and the sound went away.....read here also...

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...unk-clunk.html

Rich

cowboynj · #28 03-10-2009, 12:16 PM

I've replaced the LF control arm and brakes and still it shakes like a crack addict in withdrawal. It happens at 50mph or so.

RPX5 · #29 03-10-2009, 12:23 PM

Could it be your calipers? I had a similar shake, violent between 45-65 mph, BMW replaced both front calipers and rotors under the CPO warranty. Service advisor said the front left caliper froze up.

tonycajjo · #30 03-10-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omodos

does anyone know if there are bolts on the sway bar links in the areas pointed out in the picture>?

you need a slim profile box wrench to get in there and properly tighten. i was lucky in that i used to be a bike, umm bicycle, mechanic when i was a kid so i have all kinds of flat tools and odd size metrics that come in handy these days. if you use the resistance of the joint to tighten you can risk ruining it.

something like this if you dont know what i mean, though this one is SAE:

http://alloy-artifacts.com/Photos/to..._f_cropped.jpg

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