I'm going to get under it again this weekend and check it out and if I can't see anything externally I'm probably going to order a new axle assembly and change it out to see how it does after that. Hopefully this does it.

So I finally got a chance to get under and look and I don't think it's the axle. The boot is in great condition and not any grease leaking out of it at either end. The boot on the tie rod does appear to be torn and there is grease coming out of it. Do you think that the tie rod could be causing the clicking? I took a few pics when I was underneath.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0027.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0026.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0025.jpg

Nothing? I'm guessing I'll change out the tie rod first and see how that does since that's what appears to be damaged. The ones I've looked at didn't look like they come with a boot though or are they just probably not pictured?

My money is on the lower front control arm.

Did you ever come up with a resolution ? Mine has started clicking as well.

My clicking noise turned into a cranking noise on the left wheel, when I swivel the steering wheel. I can even feel the cranking under my foot. Only happens for the first few minutes when it's cold.

I'm taking it in this Monday.

Dude - No grease leaking? That's a lot of grease smeared on your CV boots for them not to be leaking.

I reckon it is either

1. Your CV Joint (Most Likely)
2. The wheel bearing.

They are the first two things I would replace. Clicking from an axle if rhythmical and relative to the speed of the vehicle has to be something that turns so can only be something between the front diff and wheel.

I would replace the front axle first as it is less difficult than the bearing and is more likely to be the cause. That will cover all your boots also so you won't have to do them.

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L > Drivetrain > View All > ES#1905666 Axle Assembly - Front, Left (Drivers) - 31607565313

CV Joints can go even without the boot tearing but the boot is not holding in the grease which makes it even more likely

Andrew

Might be something else
 

Here is the thing. Typically, when you get a CV joint clicking its sort of a backwards thing. When turning left, the outer CV (which is the right side outer) is put under stress. Turning right would put the left one under stress. To complicate matters, their are outer and inner CVs on each side so you have 4 total. The inners typically don't go but i have changed an inner only back in the 1980's on my VW Scirocco.

If the left boot is not ripped, i would keep looking before springing for the new axle. You sure would be pissed if you pay to change it and still have the noise. The X could be put up on a lift and driven. Mechanics (good ones anyway) have little microphones/headphones they can put on the spindles and listen for noise for bearings. There is a youtube video on this. Search for "wheel bearing noise" to find it. I'm not saying its your bearings. Just trying to educate you. I know the distinct clicking noise that a CV joint makes, do you? If this is happening, please ensure which one it is. Have someone stand out in the street and listen on both sides while you turn left. Best of luck.

That's not grease, its oil. I've pretty well determined it's the outer cv and I already have a new axle, I just haven't put it on yet. A ball joint on the left and a shock on the right also need to be replaced so I'm going to get a suspension rebuild kit from ecs I think and just replace the whole suspension when I fi the axle. It's got almost 120000 miles on it now so it won't hurt.

As for the oil, I thought it was just a spill from when I was filling doing an oil change but lately it's been using a good bit of oil and there's oil on the driver side of the motor that I'm going to be looking for a leak at.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

I have the same problem on the front passenger side, and I know it is the engine mounts.My ind has 3.7 hrs work and the parts are about $128 each, mine is a 4.6is but I think it the same price for parts..........