Bad New Arnott front struts ?
 

I might have bad struts. I had new front suspension done a couple years ago on my 4.8is except the air springs. All tight and good until I replaced this year the air springs. I went with new Arnott struts, not reman. Now, no leak but when I get over the speed bumps for example I get a strong BANG. It feels like the struts don't hold and the BANG is because the wheels are pushed to the end of the strut. Did you guys find this with arnott front struts?

Good day!

I'd go back in there and check all the mounting hardware for the front struts! I was actually missing one of the strut to spindle nuts... I'm not sure how the large bolt didn't work it's way out and cause real issues... Three nuts at the top strut tower in the engine bay and the two bolts/nuts mounting the strut to the spindle...

I've also heard the brace pan hardware can cause the same issue... Think there are six bolts/nuts holding it on...

Let us know what you find please! Good luck!

Cheers!

The strut is held in place by the three bolts on top and the two large bolts on the wheel carrier. They are all torqued right. Also, I had it inspected by two independent shops and they both point it to the struts.
The strut supposed to hold in and release slow the wheel weight after being compressed. In my case it feels like nothing holds the air spring tension and the weight of the wheel. It's pushed down fast and the knock is when the strut is fully extended.

It's been a few months trying figure it out. I have hard time to believe that both struts have the same problem. If that's the case then it would be a common problem and some of you here would have run into it already. I am going to call Arnott and see how common this is. Any feedback from you guys would be appreciated.

Just to be clear. This is what I got installed:
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...7_gid1152.html

Not the reman one.

I called Arnott and they said that this is not common problem although they did see it.

That bang sound over dumps might be your motor mounts , I had the same issues , is there vibration on a cold start?I am picking up my 4.8is from the shop now , also did the vanos solenoids[4 units]

I thought of motor mounts as well but the symptoms lead to the struts according to the Indy as well. I am curious to see if you feel a difference with the new motor mounts.
In the cold mornings it's a rougher start and a bit of vibration but it goes away quick.
How do you check the motor mounts for this bang?

Anyone here went with ARNOTT AS2765 NEW air struts? Any feedback? I know some of you got the reman and probably it was a better choice. Any feedback is appreciated.

I highly recommend ARNOTT products.. I purchased two (2) air shocks (complete assembly) for the front of my 4.8is approx 3 years ago - at 48k my original ones FAILED... The ones I ordered from ARNOTT have been lasting me for past 3 years with everyday city pothole driving... GREAT PRODUCT.. superior to the original..

What you said sounds like MOTOR MOUNTS... they are NOTORIUS for going bad, as they are filled with oil, over time the rubber cracks, oil runs out, and the shocks FAIL and dont provide good rebound effect for the engine in the suspesnion dept.. So def def get the ENGINE MOUNTS checked!!

Here is a picture of how they look.. -> http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib...3_01_IMG01.jpg

and you can buy here if you want ->
Welcome to bavauto.com | Motor Mount - Left or Right - Lemfoerder

I have reman arnotts in the front of my 4.8 and they are fine. I also use the arnotts on my Mercedes R500 front and rear. They are good products. Had a fitting leak on the rear R500 and they replaced it under the warranty. If it's the struts they will stand by it and take care of you

You would be surprised the difference new motor mounts would make on these X5's

Guys, I believe and I don't disagree with replacing the motor mounts will make a difference but in my case I don't have the vibration at idle and the motor mounts test was ok. I will eventually replace these as well at some point.

Because I still didn't want to believe that Arnott air struts are causing the clonking in my case, today I took it to a third mechanic and the same diagnostic, bad struts. Good engine mounts.

Again, mine are ARNOTT AS2765 which has an "Arnott's patented top mount and bearing design".

Based on your replied it seems like the remans are good and at this point I am planning to ask Rockauto to send me the Arnott Remanufactured BMW Front Air Strut AS 2305 - 2306 instead.

Please post here what Arnott (part number) you got and if you have any problems or are happy with them.

What Arnott part number, AS 2765 or 2305?

Anyone? Any good or bad feedback on Arnott 2764/2765 (NEW Arnott TOP) or 2304/2305 (REMAN)?
I am trying to make a decision before I reorder.

Ive had rebuilt Arnotts for almost 5 years up front - they are fine

Thanks guys. So far I believe nobody here got the arnott 2765.
I will get the reman I guess.

OK, here is an update. I didn't go with the reman because this thread.
So,I didn't want to take a risk and end up with 'reman' NEW ARNOTT design struts again.
Most likely there is a design flaw in this new top arnott strut.

I ordered a pair from aerosus
I know, it might be a bigger risk, since there is no much review out there but anyway I thought I should give it a try.

Fast shipping. I ordered them Wednesday last week and today I already installed on my car.
So far so good and I hope they will last too. The clonking and the BANG are gone now.

I still wonder if I was so unlucky to get two bad struts or is it truly a design flaw?


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...pskqodyjld.png


These are the Aerosus:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...pszqakjo76.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...psfsee6yud.jpg

Oh man, just having bad luck or making bad choices?

So, my aerosus struts still hold air but they developed a light clunking that bothers me badly that I have to replace them. It's not obvious noise to the occasional driver or any passenger but I want the X to drive and sound like new and it doesn't.
So, I had store credit at rockouto from the old New Arnotts and decided to go with the reman Arnotts this time.

Well, after I removed the aerosus strut I checked the top bearing to see if I can feel a play (no play) and then decided to check the new reman arnott before install. Here is what I found.

https://youtu.be/Ca8xAsTWIGI

I called Arnott and based on their engineers it seems to be ok although the right strut bearing is tight. See below:

“I did review this yesterday afternoon and would advise that this is OK. AS the top mount has a radial ball bearing, it will have movement present otherwise it would be bound. Due to the dynamics of the struts actuation in the fitted position, the mount will have the vehicles weight applied to it and will no longer exhibit this condition.”

I had to put the aerosus back as the arnott response took a ac ouple of days.

Thoughts? Should I go ahead and try it?

Video demo is not indication of a bad strut or design flaw.

OK, so you don't think the play will cause a clunking noise? I just don't want to install it if it is going to clunk again.
Yes, I don't think it's a design issue since it is actually a reman oem.
But, the other one is tight/no play and I was wondering why loose bearing.

My input is an opinion based on experience. My experience is the Arnott is the go to for aftermarket struts and suspension airbags. No quality or reliability issues. Have you verified you have the right part number?

I don't know how loud or what you call a clunk. I would get confirmation from Arnott they are good or send them back and have them replaced.

As I understand, this noise start directly after the installation which points to the struts as the problem but I would make sure it isn't coming from something associated with the install such as a loose sway bar or one of the links disconnected, a loose fastener or something damaged in the process.

There is always the possibility of infantile failure of the best products. My experience with remanufactured part of any kind is such I never buy them.

Oh well, this is my experience update with a second set of Arnott struts.

I went ahead and installed yesterday the reman arnott struts dispite the loose top mount bearing on the left strut. The install went well and it held pressure over night, however today on my first ride I go a sudden drop because of this:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...psgzvkknuo.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...pspmooxahx.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...psfx4ygf6o.jpg

I already paid three times shipping with rockauto and although they will take it back I don't want to pay another shipping. I will contact Arnott and see how they will handle this issue. I cannot believe I got four struts so far and all four had problems. Just bad luck, really? I guess their QC is non existent.

Oh boy sorry to hear. My rears on the 4.6is are arnott and so far they have held up well during my ownership 2 years and counting.

Make sure you're not twisting/forcing the air strut during re-installation.

Do the top first then bottom....

I know, I bought rear air springs years back and no problems, but these air struts are way more complicated, not just a simple bag though.

Oh yeah, I know these struts. That's my fourth air struts install and the install goes smooth. I will have to put my old one back on. I am waiting for Arnott's response on this.

My year old arnott seems to be leaking as well. Front left, when sitting in car. I think there is some sort of issue with my front left.

I had the exact same issue, see my thread about it here:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...lowing-up.html

It turns out that Arnott may have had a bad batch of E53 struts where the crimp ring isn't to spec. They have since resolved the issue and are sending me out new struts.

Their customer service has gone above and beyond, even received email updates from the CEO Adam, who personally saw that the issue was resolved.

The new struts are coming today, I will install and report back if all is well.