Front Suspension Refresh (Popping:SOLVED)
 

I know I'm bombarding you all with questions but I appreciate all the input. As I mentioned in another thread, I've got a clicking/popping in the front suspension that I'm out to cure. Nothing was flagged when it was inspected at purchase and the car drives really well aside from the noise. That said, knowing BMW's, there's a lot that's pretty well ready to go at 100k. Surprisingly, I cannot really find much info on common suspension refresh components. I see kits at ECS for $1k-$2k, but no detail on what's included. Ard has recommended thrust arms so that's already on the list. What else is baseline at this point? The tie rod ends appear new and nothing looks beat but visual inspection doesn't tell the whole story sometimes. I'm happy to spend the money but at the same time I don't want to just throw parts at it.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Do you have Adaptive Drive?

Yes, love it

Then that's what clicking/popping, and it's OK.

Hmm. When I test drove others they did not do this though?

Lol clicking/popping is ok? Its probably your sway bar endlinks.

The common things that WILL need replacement on an E53 after a certain time: tension rod bushings, ball joint (other end of tension rod) and other tie rod. Tie rod ends are as needed, same as shocks or front air spring units (buy from Arnott).

So that we can help you, WHEN do you have the clicking? Low, medium or high speed? During low speed turns? Low speed turns turning one specific direction? During on or off ramp sweeper turns? Does ambient temp make a difference?

You don't mention anything about vibration or shimmy, nor recent tire or wheel changes. Without knowing anything more - I'd suspect noise in an outer CV joint (which can happen).

Swaybar endlinks are the first thing that goes. Its a DIY. Next would be the bushing and balljoint in the torsion strut (which takes all the force from braking/turning). Sometimes this part is called the lower control arm.

I did this write up a while back and it solved some popping noise (while driving).
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ks-x5-e70.html

I also updated bushings in lower control arms.

Now I still have a popping sound when I get into the SAV and sit in it.
Would that be active suspension related, or something else?

Clicking and popping when turning and over bumps was a loose sway bar bushing bracket. Can't believe I didn't find it upon multiple inspections, and that my trusted indy misdiagnosed it as thrust arms. It was not the adaptive drive, although I did notice a little weeping from the active sway.