Clunk coming from the front end...

natedog7700 · 06-12-2018, 08:47 PM

EVery time i first move the car of every once in a while when turning the wheel in the parking lot at low speeds i get this "clunk" noise coming from the front end. Any idea where i should start with diagnosing it? The car has 140k on it. I had it since 100k and never replaced anything with the suspension components.

TemjinX2 · 06-13-2018, 09:23 AM

more then likely bushings from one of the control arms needs to be replaced or the bushing from the sway bar end links need to be replaced.

you will need to examine the suspension to be sure.

Pladi · 06-13-2018, 11:17 AM

lift the front up remove the wheels start turning the steering wheel start listening...

but other than that i would replace all control arms and thrust arms as well as shocks if you plan on keeping the car.

adam_c · 06-13-2018, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

more then likely bushings from one of the control arms needs to be replaced or the bushing from the sway bar end links need to be replaced.

you will need to examine the suspension to be sure.

most likely this, had the same issue on my wife's old cobalt and sounded terrible especially at low speeds

the struts were also leaking so those were replaced, after that everything was good to go, but the bushings were the biggest improvement

Eagle1oh7 · 06-13-2018, 09:50 PM

Bushings. Had it on my car a few months ago. Bushings are filled with liquid so when that's gone you get the clunking sound. Upgrade your front control arms to M3 standard with M3 bushings or a good monoball bushing.

ronjonsoflo · 06-13-2018, 11:26 PM

Could be the wheel bearings, I had the same issue last year and had replaced the front wheel bearings myself. After that no more clunking noise! Very easy to diy. My car is high mileage like yours just for reference, I'm currently at 142,000 miles.

david in germany · 06-14-2018, 12:37 AM

I just diagnosed a bad strut top bearing on my e87. the symptoms were a clunk sound a low speeds and turning at low speeds on the right front side. This is a generic video but maybe it will help.

mweisdorfer · 06-14-2018, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natedog7700

EVery time i first move the car of every once in a while when turning the wheel in the parking lot at low speeds i get this "clunk" noise coming from the front end. Any idea where i should start with diagnosing it? The car has 140k on it. I had it since 100k and never replaced anything with the suspension components.

Check the torque settings on all of the nuts associated with the control arms, steering, and sway bar. They may be starting loose. If not, then I'd say one of your control arms is starting to go bad.

natedog7700 · 06-14-2018, 09:48 AM

If i start with control arms, im not sure if i should get the M3 arms or OEM. I like the performance/precision that you'd get with the M3 arms but i do enjoy the drive-ability and comfort of mine right now. Anyone here have experience with both?

jared91510 · 06-14-2018, 10:05 PM

I have a heavy vibration upon accerlerating and only after engines warmed up.
I just changed the center bearing and flex guibo disc on driveshaft to no luck.

Still a heavy vibrstion 30+mph.
Idk if its the torque converter, cv joints/axle, or low tranny fluid.

All i know is a heavy vibration upon accerlerating and goes away it i let off the gas. Happens are low or high speed just not as bad.

Only thing i know is Lower control arms need work and we thought the driveshaft bearing and disc would fix the issue.

natedog7700 · 07-01-2018, 08:55 PM

Replaced the upper/lower control arms, tie rods, sway bar end links and that fixed it!

06-12-2018, 08:47 PM	#1
natedog7700 Captain 660 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 07 335i RB's 625whp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: milwaukee wi iTrader: (0)	Clunk coming from the front end... EVery time i first move the car of every once in a while when turning the wheel in the parking lot at low speeds i get this "clunk" noise coming from the front end. Any idea where i should start with diagnosing it? The car has 140k on it. I had it since 100k and never replaced anything with the suspension components.
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06-13-2018, 09:23 AM	#2
TemjinX2 Major 521 Rep 1,485 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi e92 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Socal OC iTrader: (0)	more then likely bushings from one of the control arms needs to be replaced or the bushing from the sway bar end links need to be replaced. you will need to examine the suspension to be sure.
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06-13-2018, 11:17 AM	#3
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	lift the front up remove the wheels start turning the steering wheel start listening... but other than that i would replace all control arms and thrust arms as well as shocks if you plan on keeping the car.
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06-13-2018, 09:50 PM	#5
Eagle1oh7 Lieutenant Colonel 287 Rep 1,710 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chula Vista CA iTrader: (0)	Bushings. Had it on my car a few months ago. Bushings are filled with liquid so when that's gone you get the clunking sound. Upgrade your front control arms to M3 standard with M3 bushings or a good monoball bushing. __________________ DONE: Seibon CF Hood, M3 Rep, MSport rear w/DD CF Diffuser, M3 Rep Skirts, Seibon CSL trunklid, Forgestar F14 18s w/Michelin PSS, Eisenmann catback, AA Headers, BPC Stage 2, Charcoal Delete+revMotor+AFE Drop In filter FUTURE MODS: LED headlights, CF rooftop, M3 Suspension Conversion, Dinan CAI Mod
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06-13-2018, 11:26 PM	#6
ronjonsoflo BMW Enthusiast 51 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 328i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL iTrader: (3)	Could be the wheel bearings, I had the same issue last year and had replaced the front wheel bearings myself. After that no more clunking noise! Very easy to diy. My car is high mileage like yours just for reference, I'm currently at 142,000 miles.
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06-14-2018, 12:37 AM	#7
david in germany Lieutenant Colonel 729 Rep 1,815 Posts Drives: 118i, 335i and 328i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mannheim Germany iTrader: (2)	I just diagnosed a bad strut top bearing on my e87. the symptoms were a clunk sound a low speeds and turning at low speeds on the right front side. This is a generic video but maybe it will help. __________________ 2009 118i Monaco Blue "Maximillion" 2009 335i Saphire Black M Sport "Leopold" Cobb stage 2 aggressive tune, Mishimoto FMIC, Cobb charge pipe, Cobb catted down pipes, Forge diverter valves, BMS inlets and DCI, Cyba scoops and M Individual Audio retrofit and M3 gauge cluster retrofit. 2011 328i Titan Silver M Sport "Franzel" <--Wife's car
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06-14-2018, 09:48 AM	#9
natedog7700 Captain 660 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 07 335i RB's 625whp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: milwaukee wi iTrader: (0)	If i start with control arms, im not sure if i should get the M3 arms or OEM. I like the performance/precision that you'd get with the M3 arms but i do enjoy the drive-ability and comfort of mine right now. Anyone here have experience with both?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2018, 10:05 PM	#10
jared91510 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Vibration heavy I have a heavy vibration upon accerlerating and only after engines warmed up. I just changed the center bearing and flex guibo disc on driveshaft to no luck. Still a heavy vibrstion 30+mph. Idk if its the torque converter, cv joints/axle, or low tranny fluid. All i know is a heavy vibration upon accerlerating and goes away it i let off the gas. Happens are low or high speed just not as bad. Only thing i know is Lower control arms need work and we thought the driveshaft bearing and disc would fix the issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-01-2018, 08:55 PM	#11
natedog7700 Captain 660 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 07 335i RB's 625whp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: milwaukee wi iTrader: (0)	Replaced the upper/lower control arms, tie rods, sway bar end links and that fixed it!
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