Front suspension knocking over bumps
 

Since I bought my X5 back last June, it's been to the garage five times - three of which have been to try and fix a knocking that I get from the front suspension when going over bumps. The garage tells me that they've completely stripped the front end, checked all components and replaced ALL the bushes. Still, the knocking continues...

I live out in Dubai and to be honest, I can't say that I trust the workmanship when I compare to garages in the UK... anyway, I've got 3000km left on my warranty and I WANT IT FIXED!

The knocking happens over any bumps. For example, when the car first meets a speed bump there will be a knock. If I drive the car on an uneven non-tarmac track the knocking will be near continuous. There is clearly a fault, yet the garage say that they cannot locate it.

The knocking seems to be fairly central in terms of where the sound comes from... not really left or right. Aside from the knocking, the front right air strut was replaced a few months ago and the front left has just started to leak a bit too (sometimes the car is very low on the one side in the mornings and the ride height light has come on a few times). Could this be related?

Any things to check out, or any tests to identify the fault would be much appreciated.

Would taking a video with sound help?

Thank you for any help you can offer.

Andy

The problem is with the sway bar end links. Let me find the thread that discussed this very problem, very inexpensive repair!

Found it, here's the thread:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ver-bumps.html

Let us know how things work out for you!

Thank you very much - this sounds just like the issue. I also get a clunk now and again when parking, so hopefully this will solve it. Perfect!

The car goes back into the garage at the beginning of March to have the air strut replaced, so they can do this at the same time.

Sway bar end links will be under warranty... but unfortunately the air strut won't!

Cheers,
Andy

Glad we could help, just bumped our original thread just in case others had the same problems! This forum can help you figure out anything!!!

I had similar to your problem + tough steering wheel.

Adding some oil into the steering fluid tank (ATF fluid) through a well under the hood sorted out both problems!

If in doubt, or you haven't already, give Ashley a call at Munich Motor Works - he's an ex-AGMC man who wanted a garage to do things the right way - they can do anything from regular service to a bare-metal respray; and sorted out my PDC issue for a very good price - Ashley Boulter is the MD; 04 347 4666

Thanks for the heads up. 4x4 Garage (part of 4x4 Motors who I bought the car off) have not only investigated themselves but have also taken the car to Octane and Tony Edwards with no luck. 4x4 Garage will repair it for me while its still under warranty but afterwards I may consider using another garage. It goes back in on the 1st March... so fingers crossed!

I had the same problem a few years back and that was it. Good luck!

Mine had knock left front. It was gone after I replaced the tension strut bushings.