#10 is the control arm. #6 is the thrust strut.

you may also want to consider this:
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.

See earlier posts like:
http://www.xoutpost.com/showthread.php?p=22333#post22333

I had this fix done and it solved the problem 100%. Not to say this is your
issue, but my dealer changed a bunch of stuff in the front end like bushings etc and
made no diff until this SB came out.
Good Luck

Thats what my problem is as well. I own a 4.4 2002 X5 that is having the same symptoms. It doesnt really bother me. Only when i step on the brake hard or when i go over a speed bump i can hear the clunky noise. Other than that its fine. My friend at the dealer told me that if i continue to drive it like that, my front tires are going to be ruined. The bushings are like $60.00 dlls the 2 in front (plus labor of course). So I guess I have to do it asap.

As a follow up, I finally got moved into my new house and got access to my tools and jack. I pulled the drivers side wheel today and started grabbing things to see what was loose. Initially everything seemed tight. I thought it might be the wheel bearing as well, so I put the wheel back on and started to move the wheel in the 3-9 position (side to side). There was some definite slippage, so again I thought wheel bearing. I got underneath and moved the wheel and saw the ball joint on the rear control arm move (part number 31126760275).

I'm relieved to know that it is the control arm instead of the wheel bearing, as I suspect the control arm will be a much easier swap. I'll post back hopefully confirming that this part was the cause of the problem.

Yes definately let us know. My X5 also has that clunk noise you are talking about. Keep me posted. thanks.

It is definitely sway bar links. Jeff was the first to point out this noise and advised me to get it fixed from stealer as it was till under warranty. I took it to ERHARD Farmington and they changed the sway bar links and everything is as smooth as fine scotch.

I hope not to offend, but I just said everything is tight as can be except the ball joint on the control arm. How can you make a diagnosis that the sway bar links are bad?

Let's just say for a moment that the sway bar links are bad. This wouldn't have anything to do with the wobble I get when braking as the sway bar does nothing to hold the wheel in place. It is a possibility that my sway bar links could be bad, but my control arm is definitely shot.

I posted a DIY (with UCrew's kind assistance) for sway bar link removal and install.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...icle&artid=222

JV

Follow up: I replaced the control arm on the X5 & took it out for a test ride. The brake wobble and clunk are gone. I knew right away that the problem would be solved after replacing the control arm. When trying to move the hub assembly side to side the slop was gone.

The moral of the story is to thoroughly check all suspension components before just changing things. My sway bar links were fine and would have been a waste of money to change.

Glad you got it all figured out, man. Many culprits for suspension noises. Happy that you found the one that was your specific problem.

No offense, but for a $30 part, if your X has more than 50K on it, it's not a bad idea to do the links as you're doing the control arm. It is a part that will eventually wear, not difficult to do either when the wheel is already pulled.

JV