Clunk in the Trunk

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Gregory891

....Did you swap wheels (side to side) to eliminate wheel or tire damage?
Did you remove the CV shaft - a bit more work but you eliminate this as well?
You could swap shocks (side to side) before buying a pair. I have yellow B6 on my E53, firmer but no regrets.

Having needed the replace my four rear axle carrier bushings, you'll get a clunk over speed bumps, imperfections, sometimes feel a slam sensation. Less intense with 17", more so with 18" (my two wheel sets).

It might appear to be "too soon" but the pothole might have done this. In my case, visual inspection didn't reveal or indicate damage BUT upon assembly - EACH of the four bushings came out in two pieces. My case was simply the march of time - it's a necessary item on the E53. The E70 design appears to be quite similar.

I haven’t swapped wheels. But I’ve done a good visual inspection.
I haven’t removed any of the suspension except the right rear shock and sway bar, with no change in the clunk with either removal.

I’m replacing the shocks (with B4 Bilsteins) because they are wear items and we have used the X5 to tow heavy loads (e.g. 2 cubic yards of crushed limestone) in our 5 ton capacity utility trailer.

Did you replace the rear axle carrier bushings on your E53 yourself?
Did you do it with the rear axle carrier still on your E53?
Did you use one of the special tools to get the bushings out?
Were the bushing fractured vertically or horizontally?

FWIW it is easy to find special tools for removing E53 rear axle carrier bushings while still on the vehicle. But I didn’t find any for the E70. Which left me wondering if a special tool is not needed (i.e. too-easy / not-possible)?

Funf Dreisig
2009 E70 X5 35d