help me track down a suspension rattle
 

This one has me stumped so far. Would welcome any suggestions.


'07 X5 4.8i. Rattling noise from left front when going over sharp bumps or stutter bumps. Rattle only when left wheel hits a bump - no sound when only right wheel hits a bump. To me it sounds similar to rattles from sway bar end links or strut mounts.


Parts replaced recently:

• sway bar end links: 32K km
• shocks, spring perches, bump stops: 17K km
• tension struts: 13K km
• lower control arms: 10K km
• inner and outer tie rods: 4K km
• L upper strut mount: 2K km

Here's what I've done so far:

• secured L rocker cover, inner mount is solid
• no play from wheel at 3/9 nor 12/6
• no play in upper wishbones, bushings are firm
• no play in any bushing (crowbar) nor ball joint (big jesus pliers)
• disconnected sway bar end links - noise still there
• tapped around everywhere with a mallet, including under the hood

I'm going to buy one of those remote microphone kits off Amazon. Any ideas on what I can try next?

Strut failure?

That's kind of what I've been suspecting. The only shocks I could get at the time were KYB (long story). There are no leaks, and handling doesn't seem to be compromised, but I'm wondering if something let go internally.


Ordered a Steelman Chassis Ear set today. Will hook it up later this week.

might be the strut mount bushings.

#8 and 10

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...p-x5-mount.png

Definitely have a look at 8,9, and 10 of they have not been replaced in your ownership.

7, 8, 10, and even 11 were replaced when I replaced 9. So, all good up top. That's why you see 9 replaced only 2K km ago in my list - I suspected strut mounts also. The old one that I removed looked basically brand new. Bushing was equivalently stiff to the one I replaced it with, so that turned out to be a waste of time and money.


Remote microphone should be in my garage this week, so I hope to be able to try it out this weekend. This one really has me stumped.

Do you have active suspension?

Mine has sport/active suspension and I have a good feeling the active suspension components have some play.

The front suspension tends to make a clunk on small pot holes.

should not, at all.


Have you diagnosed or just assumed it must be the 'active' stuff?

No. Sport and self-leveling suspension (note: this combination not available in USA, only Canada), so regular non-electronic shocks front and rear.


It's probably going to end up being a failure of some part that I've recently replaced, as I've replaced virtually everything both front and rear.

Guessing it’s active stuff. All control arm and joints were replaced but this is your thread so let’s figure out what’s going on with your car haha

When did you notice the noise? Did you notice the noise before replacing all those parts?

Also curious to know what makes your suspension sport if struts are not electronic.