front end sound still!!!!

[ttzcar]

If it's not your CV boots/front axles, then this is the problem...
Have someone drive your car while you ride in the back seat and feel for the vibration on the ground. If your problem is a somewhat severe embarrassing shaking/vibration then it going to be your rear drive shaft "center mount" bearing. Replace that, and while you're at it you might as well replace the "Universal Joint" flex disc going to the front of the rear drive shaft. (using the parts diagram on this forum select drive shaft for part numbers). If you park outdoors and have higher miles on your X5, these rubber parts start cracking over time.

[dpgx5]

Originally Posted by ArtMan

ok so...

i have eliminated the front end sound but now.....

what did you do/replace?

[ArtMan]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

what did you do/replace?

Hey, well aside from a worn suspension noise and what not...I found that if you look under the front there are 2 skid plates. one is plastic that is right under teh radiator and the aluminum stiffening plate. mine had a missing screw from the spot where the plastic skid plate mounts onto to the aluminum one. and it uses this metal clamp and with now screw it just moves and makes that metal tik tok sound I just went to the dealer and bought the screws.

ttzcar, well that had me thinking too but fortuantly the problem so far looks like the aftermarket ebay front kit that you see on the forums for around 230 dollars for the whole front redo came with defective lower rear control arm bushings i can move and shimmy the wheel and thats is not supposed to happen ....so looks like the guy will do a warranty claim and send me a new pair. then ill see if there is anymore vibration or not. I am hoping that there is not.

[TwinsPoppa]

I'm thinking its easier to troubleshoot problems by negating other possibilities. Make sure your wheels/tires are balanced and then get an alignment. The alignment should tell you a before and after settings.

After that if you still have vibrations, then at tleast you know its not the wheels/tires or alignment.

However, I would think when you get an alignment (especially if it can't be set to within spec) that you will discover any suspension problems.

Good luck!