How to tell Your Sway Bar/Swing Arm End Links Are Bad

[1stE53]

I would replace the end links first. Stopped my clunk. It was cheap and easy to do. DIY is in this forum as well. If you can move them easily by hand, they need replacing.

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by Tripz

Small world, I'm from Calgary as well and this 'clunk' has been bothering me for some time now, it clunks every small/med/big bumps and I assume its the end links as well. My buddy is going to replace my ball joint fairly soon and hopefully I can get him to install these as well. OP, did you end up ordering it online or getting it locally from the dealer?

I always buy online unless I am pressured by time. The two local dealers we have in Calgary charge most the time double or sometimes triple than you can find it at tischer (it takes longer) or bimmerspecialist.ca which is fast, awesome service but a bit more expensive than tischer.

[JayX5]

I've had my sway bar links (OEM) replaced at 45k miles and now they are clunking again at 75k miles. Do you think I should replace them with OEM again or try an alternative aftermarket route (Karlyn, Moog, etc.) Thanks in advance for any input, experience or advice.

[MINIz guy]

I have a certain click/clunk in my steering wheel and am wondering if it could be sway bar endlinks. There is no sound related to it nor is the steering loose, just a clicking feel when shimmying the wheel at slow speeds. Plus, the endlinks were replaced last summer which was probably 18,000 miles ago and 2 driving schools ago.

[cfmistry]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

I have a certain click/clunk in my steering wheel and am wondering if it could be sway bar endlinks. There is no sound related to it nor is the steering loose, just a clicking feel when shimmying the wheel at slow speeds. Plus, the endlinks were replaced last summer which was probably 18,000 miles ago and 2 driving schools ago.

I have the same click, let me guess it's only when the wheel is around centered? I was hoping end links and lca bushings would fix this but everything I've read is inconclusive.

[MINIz guy]

Originally Posted by cfmistry

I have the same click, let me guess it's only when the wheel is around centered? I was hoping end links and lca bushings would fix this but everything I've read is inconclusive.

Yep, around center. For example, if it is at 12 o'clock and I shimmy it to 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock, I will feel the click. I also want to say that I've felt it when turning and then shimmying it that little bit too but I mostly feel it at center. It is the only driving gripe I have on the X5 since it feels 100% besides that click feeling.

[faranks]

I just had similar circumstances in my Audi A8, it was the ball joint going south in the steering rod end links. Get your wheel off the ground and try to pull/push it at the bottom. If it has play side to side then I would inspect further.

I have had to replace my sway bar end links for the ball joints knocking around multiple times. Sux but it's super easy.

[ArtMan]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

Yep, around center. For example, if it is at 12 o'clock and I shimmy it to 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock, I will feel the click. I also want to say that I've felt it when turning and then shimmying it that little bit too but I mostly feel it at center. It is the only driving gripe I have on the X5 since it feels 100% besides that click feeling.

I have that too and from searching this forums some people have said its the steering rack....and after they replaced it the click was gone.

oem racks are expensive but ive found oem rebuilt racks for 300-400 which seems reasonable. ill post the links later today.

[amacman]

another 2 cents

iif the links are worn to the point of clunking you can check by rocking the car side to side . as far as I know this is the quickest easiest and only way .
you could unbolt the ball joint to check for wear indicated by easy movement of the ball joint but a bit of movement does not always mean imminent replacement .
when the clunk begins is a good time for replacing .

[03BamaX5]

Very easy. Follow this check list.

1) Is it a BMW? Yes
2) Is it a x5? Yes
3) Is it no longer on the dealer lot? i.e. have you bought it and drove it for at least 6 mos? Yes

If you answered yes to all three then the part you are wondering about is about to fail. This simple diagram will help with any problem diagnosis.