Front Suspension noise
 

G'day from down under,

My 2001 4.4 has a knock in the front end, most noticeable when going over abrupt speed bumps...had the dealer look at it ,but could not find a problem. When driving over rough ground I can feel a looseness under the front somewhere. Has anybody had similar problems??? Does the X5 have shock absorber issues???

Any help will be most appreciated :)

If it's not the lower control arms then it may be the swing support link that go between the struts and the front stabilizer bar. It would be the part labeled as number 7 in this diagram - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...23&hg=31&fg=10

Thanks for that...if I jack up the front, can you check for excessive play with the suspension extended or does the car need to be on the ground (suspension compressed)???

you should be able to just slide under there and look (or jack up the front and take off the wheels). these are non-adjustable end-links so its a no-brainer. either they are on, or they are off. one end attaches to the sway bar and the other to the body of the shock absorber. make sure the end-links aren't bent.

Thank you for your advice...I will check it out next weekend.

I'm having that same knocking from the driver's side. I've got an 01 4.4 with 57k on her. I checked lower suspension components, got no play in anything, so now I'm thinking it's a strut going bad. I should be able to get to it this week and I'll get back on this thread when I know more.

JV

I'm thinking mine may be struts as well...I get a rattle from the steering and front end when going over small corrogation type bumps???

Look forward to your results JVZ104

There's a service note that may interest you...
 

I'm having this done on my 4.8iS in about a week, obviously under warranty:

SI B 31 01 05
Body Equipment May 2005
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Front Wheel Bearing Noise

MODEL
E53 (X5) produced up to January 2005.

SITUATION
Metallic knocking noise heard coming from the front axle area or through the floor panel.

CAUSE
The wheel bearing seat comes loose in the swivel bearing.

CORRECTION

Confirm the wheel bearing noise:

Bring the front axle components to normal operating temperature by driving and braking repeatedly for about 10 minutes.

Drive a complete circle with the steering wheel in full lock position to produce a high lateral acceleration.

Stop the vehicle and, with the vehicle in a stationary position, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction for three turns. Do not turn to the full lock position.

Engage reverse gear and pull away abruptly. Listen for a brief, distinct metallic knocking noise to confirm the wheel bearing noise.

This Service Information does not apply if a rattling or chattering noise is heard.

The wheel bearing noise may be resonated to the transfer case via output shafts. Replacing the output shafts or the transfer case will not remedy the situation.

PROCEDURE
Once the wheel bearing noise has been confirmed, both front wheel bearings and drive flanges can be replaced by following the Repair Instruction RA 31 21 180.

NOTES

Ensure that the bearing press fit area is clean and free of oil and grease.

Coat wheel bearing seat in the swivel bearing over 50% of its length with either Loctite 648 (3 hours curing time at 70°F) or Loctite 638 (6 hours curing time at 70°F).

It is important to observe the curing time and the ambient temperature. It may take up to 24 hours curing time if either Loctite is applied at 40°F.

During curing time, do not move the vehicle or use brakes.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Information only.

[ Copyright © 2005 BMW of North America, LLC ]

My suspension noises are much more noticeable the first 5-10 mins of driving, and only under 45mph. I'll have to try that test flight you pasted, thanks a lot.

JV

I tried that test flight, that wasn't my issue. After getting the X up in the air, I found some very minor play in the sway bar links, I mean, really minimal play too. I didn't notice this during my first look at the undercarriage. This being the only thing with any play in my front suspension, I am going to replace the sway bar links.

31356750703 For the Left Side

31356750704 For the Right Side

Got mine on ebay for $55. I'll try to take pics and do an article on the removal and replacement within the next two weeks. Lots of steamed crabs and beer between now and then.

JV

Hi Vonchor,

Where did you get this information. It is exactly what is happening to my x5. Is there somewhere i can go and get info like this so i can print it out and bring it to my dealer.
Thanks

FYI...My 4.4 has been diagnosed with having a worn/faulty steering rack. I think this is a little unfair at 85k klms???

The service manager emailed it to me. It's code # is
SI B 31 01 05
Body Equipment May 2005
Technical Service
as shown in my post. That's all I know. The work
was done this past week (27 June 05) and the
problem seems to have vanished.

Thanks for posting that Vonchor. It helped me out a lot.. I have been trying to figure out what it was since i bought my X5. The dealer always said they can not figure it out. I tested it and it seems to be exactly what you described. I am bringing the printout to them next week. The only thing is i have an 04 4.4i wonder if that matters.

Note: "E53 (X5) produced up to January 2005."

The service mgr told me that this can affect ANY X5. But they
don't fix it unless you demonstrably have the problem which is
why they have this specific (but whacky sounding) test. My '01
X5 3.0i Sport did not have this problem at all.

JV, has the replacement of the sway bar links fixed the knocking problem over small bumps? I think I have the same problem that I haven't confirmed yet.

Yes it has. I've had no issues with the noises since the replacement. All the same, if you can get your dealer to look at it, it might be wise. It could be something else, but if it's a hollow sounding thump, I'd bet it's the link.

JV

knocking noise near front suspension
 

Hi All,

I have just got a 2001 X5 and am noticing a knocking noise from the front r/h suspension.
It sounds like a shock absorber fault and is mainly noticable at speeds up to 30mph.

The handling and drive comfort is not affected at all but it is annoying. I can see from this thread that the sway bar links seem a common cause of this, but I have had a look under and all seems ok, no signs of play in the links, I also tried the wheel bearing test in this thread and that all seems ok. Any ideas on this would be appeciated.

Also, I have seen a couple of threads saying its the contol arm bushes, is it worth changing these as well, please can someone point out what item they are on the picture attached
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/f/b/193.png

Cheers,

Jon

To add to the last post, is the control arm bushings a common fault on the X5

it's number 10. you buy the the entire arm which comes with a new bushing installed plus a new ball joint.

it's about 30 minutes to replace each side.

Ok guys, I have replace my both sides sway bar links, front axle ( torn CV Boot ), control arms and still clunking. So today while at the shop, my mechanic had my vehicle on the lift and showed me where the clunking is coming from. It is the curved arm that is below the control arms. I need to order the part but neither of us know what it is called. Any help? Please

curved arm? I guess you refer to thrust arm(aka tension strut). no. 6 here

what is making the clunk on it? the bushing or ball joint?

So you need a new steering rack? Seems odd for 85k, not a lot of miles..

Ball Joint needs replacing. No big deal I have an excellent mechanic that takes care of me. I order my parts from Discount Auto Parts – Mercedes Parts, BMW Parts, Volvo Parts, Volkswagen Parts – PartsGeek.com and save a lot of money.

I just found out about realoem.com. What a great website

you can also try Auto Parts at AutohausAZ - OEM Auto Parts - Discount Replacement Parts, Resources and Car Care Tips for non-OEM parts. the pricing should be better than partsgeek. they also offer free shipping on any orders more than $50.

for oem parts, you can try morristown bmw in nj. ask for Rishon. he's the internet parts manager. they do mail order too and good pricing on oem parts. their website is bmw-accessoriesonline.com

Thanks for this info. I have been suffering from some phantom play in my steering, the steering column bearings were replaced which seemed to get rid of an annoying click/play in the steering around centre point while driving. I still get some play and noise if I wriggle the steering wheel from side to side with the engine off but I'm not sure whether that is normal or not.

The phantom play is only felt occasionally, usually over rough ground or when shifting weight from one side to the other (for instance coming on/off a small roundabout). I will try the wheel bearing test as I have found it impossible to reproduce on demand for the dealers.

I've also noticed the car seems to rock a backwards/forwards a bit when coming to a stop and an annoying hiss from the front drivers side wheel when going over speed bumps at low speed. Not sure whether these are just normal X behaviour or not.

garbage suspension parts!!
 

I'll share my two cents since I am going through all this too. I first had a clunk only heard when going over a bump at low speeds in the front end, sounded like something was loose. Replaced sway bar end links and problem went away. 10k later started having more noise, passenger side front, sound like creaking or knocking up until 30 mph or so. So I just replaced control arm bushings and ball joints, it's a major pain to replace the ball joints FYI (torches, big hammers etc.) Noise did not go awayand gets louder as time goes by. My friend mechanic feels certain that it is a strut, so I will replace that next.

Sway bar end links worked for me. Just make sure you have an 18mm thin wrench available. Bike shop or grind a cheap one down. I made my own out of a piece of steel plate, but I don't recommend this...

Hey, it's either front lower arm, axle, or ball joint problems. I took my car to the shop to evaluate which. Good luck and let us know how it works out.