Is my suspension going bad or?

[SeanC]

'09 Xdrive 4.8i. Almost 90k miles. Adaptive drive. Thrust arms and sway bar links have already replaced.

In south east TX we have mostly concrete roads which are already uncomfortable to start with, and sometimes the road drops down a few inches where it meets the next concrete block.

Going over these connections, there is a clunk coming from the driver's side, almost to the point where I find myself paying extra attention to avoid such roads as much as possible. Otherwise adaptive drive is very smooth and compliant.

Could this be the adaptive struts nearing the end of their lives? If not, what else?

Tldr; clunking noise from driver's side when road drops a few inches or going over potholes. Smooth otherwise. What could it be?

[jfoj]

Might be the upper strut bumpers. There are a few rubber doughnuts that disintegrate over time.

But also do not forget to check the thrust arms and lower control arms again.

With the Adaptive Drive/Active Suspension the hydraulic sway bar motors can also get sloppy and noisy, so the the sway bar motor and bushings as well.

[SeanC]

Originally Posted by jfoj

Might be the upper strut bumpers. There are a few rubber doughnuts that disintegrate over time.

But also do not forget to check the thrust arms and lower control arms again.

With the Adaptive Drive/Active Suspension the hydraulic sway bar motors can also get sloppy and noisy, so the the sway bar motor and bushings as well.

I think you're onto something here. I saw a lot of orange/brown foam-like shavings on top of the strut towers. On both sides.

I ordered all of them (three per strut), and will be "rebuilding" my struts along with new strut mounts. How difficult is it to get the struts out? I did this on an e46 before, but the adaptive drive feature worries me a bit.

[jfoj]

Originally Posted by SeanC

I think you're onto something here. I saw a lot of orange/brown foam-like shavings on top of the strut towers. On both sides.

That orange/brown is a problem, it may be the entire problem, it may be only part of the problem!!!

Originally Posted by SeanC

I ordered all of them (three per strut), and will be "rebuilding" my struts along with new strut mounts. How difficult is it to get the struts out? I did this on an e46 before, but the adaptive drive feature worries me a bit.

I have had everything here for a year to do all of my suspension, have not gotten around to it, so I will let you tell me how much of a job it is!!!!

[SeanC]

Originally Posted by jfoj

I have had everything here for a year to do all of my suspension, have not gotten around to it, so I will let you tell me how much of a job it is!!!!

You got the adaptive drive struts as well? I wanted to, but I didn't want to dump 2 grand on them at this time. Then again, I couldn't find anybody on E70 world that replaced them because they got bad over time

[jfoj]

Leave the struts, get all the supporting parts replaced.

Not sure how long the struts last, might look for a low mileage wrecked E70 if you want struts??

[Tomaz]

Most likely a bushing or a loose shock mount. A quick look on a lift should reveal the problem. Good luck.

[daytonatrbo]

On many of the previous EDC and SLS models it was discovered that the shocks/struts were (at least partially) rebuildable. I wonder what could be done for ours. And the sway bars.

Mine has the full package and I have noticed some "nervousness" from the rear suspension with 122k miles. Originally I thought that it was the first signs of the rear lower balljoints failing, but now I'm wondering if it's related to the active sway bars.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by daytonatrbo

On many of the previous EDC and SLS models it was discovered that the shocks/struts were (at least partially) rebuildable. I wonder what could be done for ours. And the sway bars.

Mine has the full package and I have noticed some "nervousness" from the rear suspension with 122k miles. Originally I thought that it was the first signs of the rear lower balljoints failing, but now I'm wondering if it's related to the active sway bars.

I have experience with this..... Its probably shot rear subframe mounts. Normal issue on BMW's tons of threads. It will give your rear end a wiggle that is highly annoying and it feels nervous. BMW's have a tendency to put in soft rear sub-frame bushings that fail early.

[daytonatrbo]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I have experience with this..... Its probably shot rear subframe mounts. Normal issue on BMW's tons of threads. It will give your rear end a wiggle that is highly annoying and it feels nervous. BMW's have a tendency to put in soft rear sub-frame bushings that fail early.

I will keep an eye on that. It's not terrible. But I've also only just bought the vehicle, so I'm not sure what its meant to feel like.

Thanks for the tip.