Clunk Noise From Front End

[imola4.6is]

Hello Everyone.....

First and foremost before I begin my thread and ask my question, I want to thank everyone in this forum for posting all the information that can possibly be posted about our E53. You dont know how grateful and thankful I am by getting pretty much everything I need for my E53 from this forum... Saved lots of money by being able to DIY and time at the dealer.


Now, since this is my first post, I need all the help I can possibly get because Im at the point with my E53 that I just dont want to "throw money away".

I have a 2003 4.6is with 93k miles on it.. The SAV is in absolute mint condition but given the mileage, its beginning to start costing me here and there. I dont mind because I absolutely love the SAV and am not planning on getting rid of it since I am also the original owner of it.

I have a "clunking" noise from the front end when driving over potholes, rough roads, speed bumps and getting in and out of my driveway. I also hear this noise when braking hard. The steering wheel slightly jerks or shakes when braking hard as well. I have changed my front shocks, swaybar links and front axle... The shocks needed to be changed given the mileage on the car as well as me living here in the NYC area, we just dont have the priveledge of normal smooth paved roads as the rest of the world. Since I changed the shocks, I figured to change the front sway bar links as well. The clunk noise is still there. I also was advised to change my axle as there was a clicking noise when making sharp turns and the wheel was turned all the way. All that is great and everything was changed except for the clunk noise when driving as I described above.

I can use all the help possible because I just dont want to take it to the dealership and they start changing everything they might think could be the problem and then getting smacked with a nice bill at the end. Is this common? What should this be narrowed down to? All the help is and would be greatly appreciated.

[Weasel]

Sounds like it may be the thrust rod bushings... Does you feel the clunk asd well as hear it when you go up the curb into your driveway, and when first applying the brakes? If so then that likely is it.

The bushings would be #7 in this link.

[imola4.6is]

Yes I do feel it as well as hear it. Even hear and feel it when applying brakes with more force than normal.

Are these busings something I can change on my own? Do I need to have the car up on a lift?

[Weasel]

Unfortunately the bushings are pressed in... To change this yourself in the driveway you would have to change the whole thrust arm which is part# 6. What you spend extra on the parts cost will offset the labor cost you would pay a shop anyways, so if you are comfy with the DIY then go for it! It is just like changing a control arm, just gotta have the X on her wheels to tighten the bolts through the bushing end.

[imola4.6is]

If i do purchase the entire thrust arm, does it come with the bushings? Do I have to purchase the bushings seperate? And what do you mean she has to be on her wheels to tighten? Has anyone done this job as a DIY? Was it hard? Time consuming?

[Weasel]

The new arms come with the bushings installed, so if you want to DIY that would be the way to go. The bushings can also be bought seperately, but then you would need to pay a shop to press them in the arms for you with a shop press.

And what I mean by on her wheels to tighten is that the bolt through the bushing tightens everything down in place, and if you tighten that with the X5 off the ground and the wheels sagging down it will hold the bushing to that position... and when you lower her back onto the ground and compress the suspension to the normal ride level the bushings will be twisted and will wear/tear abnormally fast. Basically you just want the suspension at the normal ride height when you tighten the bolts that go through the bushings.

There are likely to be some DIY writeups on this site somewhere, just search around and you should find something.

[imola4.6is]

Thanks so much weasel... Yet again this forum comes through! Just ordered the parts from bavauto. The dealer by me wants 240 each and i bought them from bavauto at 149 each. Will receive them during the week and hopefully get a chance to do the install. Hopefully no problems and my issue will be resolved.... Will get back with the final results.!

[trooper]

Thanks to the DIY on this. I bought the part from BMW and a set of thin wrenches so that I could complete the job. I already had a torque wrench and other sockets and open end wrenches. You really need the thin wrench (18mm) to get behind the bar. But, if you have them, this is an easy, easy job. It literally took me 45 minutes which included jacking up the cars front end, putting jack stands underneath, taking off the tire, replacing all parts and then letting the car down and put all the tools away. It takes me longer to wash the car than to do this repair.

The one thing is that the DIY says the torque should be 50 ft/pounds or something like that. The dealer told me 100 newtons which is equivalent to 74 newtons, so make sure you make them tight enough.

Thanks again!

[trooper]

Oops. I mean 100 newtons is equivalent to 74 foot pounds.

[tonycajjo]

also check part #7 off this link when youre under there:

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.6is Stabilizer, front

this is even easier and cheaper to fix and prob worn if never changed. (one on each side) i believe this job too will need a thin open ended wrench.