Front end Suspension Sounds - Creaks and clicks

[husam]

We had heavy snow in the last couple of weeks and then the temp goes up to 50F, nice weather, but my X5 seems not to like since I start to hear some creaks and clicks when driving, here below exact description to my case:

Creaks : When moving from zero or almost stop I hear that Creak sound that look like rubber moving , could be the sway bars ?

Clicks: If Iam driving over uneven road and less than 40 mile per hour, I will hear that sound that look like something loosing and moving, could be lower control arms with bushings ?

Both sounds came from the left side of the front end , but sometimes I feel it not from wheel but something closer to the middle.

I have another question what is best source for these parts , The cheapest with keeping the highest quality.

Appreciate your feedback my friends

My car is 2001 X5 3.0i

[jst2878]

If it's definitely coming from the front drivers side than check everything u assume it is. Go to ecstuning.com or bavauto for oem or aftermarket parts. eBay is always the cheapest though. Good luck with it

[husam]

Thanks, but do you know how I can test the control arms and the sway link ? If I left the car , what kind of movement I have to look for?

[jst2878]

Move your wheel up, down, left, right. Check the wear of everything. Your front strut could be expired as well. U have a lot of reading to do on the homepage e53 diy

[husam]

I checked the shocks, there is no oil going out of them, I suspect the sway bars, so I may start with them, they are cheap relatively and easy to change.

[M_Six]

If you have an indie do the work, be careful of 3rd party parts. I had a "reputable" indie replace virtually my entire front end and he used parts that were slightly different than BMW parts. He didn't tell me either. I was wondering how he did it so much cheaper than the dealer. Now, a year later, the front end bangs every time I take a 90 degree corner. I'll need to start replacing parts all over again. I'm so disgusted I could scream.

[husam]

I agree 100%, I need something to last for a while. This is way I am afraid from the stuff that fill ebay.com

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by jst2878

Move your wheel up, down, left, right. Check the wear of everything. Your front strut could be expired as well. U have a lot of reading to do on the homepage e53 diy

Simple test once it's up on a lift is to grab the entire front wheel tire and move is as jst described above. Simple but you can see how tight that corner is. We had done this on my mothers 2001 325Ci (120k on the clock) and the whole front end was dancing around! Also check the rubber boots up front to see if they are cracked and shooting fluid out...another common E53 issue if I'm not mistaken.

Good luck!

[husam]

I just came back from my mechanic shop, we replaced the lower control arms only and its become completly different ride, the creak and rattle gone , we used a trademark called Lemforeder as OEM part, the only concern that i have they are made in Italy ?!!

The bad news my bushing need replacement in the near future they are not done yet, but it sounds like something to consider.

Thanks