Strange suspension noise scenario

My apologies if this has been covered, but I haven't come across it after multiple searches.

When I pull up to my house, I make a medium sharp, slow speed right turn onto the concrete pad in front of my driveway. There is a lip that's 1-2" higher than the gravel surface I'm coming off of. When I hit the lip with my right FRONT tire, I hear a clunk from the REAR of the car. I can't tell if it's from any particular side.

I've also heard it pulling off the street into a particular parking lot in town where there is a similar geometry.
I've only tested a couple of times, but I doesn't seem to happen if I do the same thing making a left turn.

I recently replaced broken springs With Supplex HDs from Pelican. Changed the pads also.
Rear shock mounts look OK.

Car is an otherwise stock '02 330xi, 5 speed with around 93k.

I have some front end suspension clunking (most noticable on speed bumps and other low speed bumps) that I haven't had a chance to diagnose yet.

I'm gonna try to do a rear sub frame inspection ASAP.

Any thoughts?

Your struts are shot!

Refer to e46mangos write up.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...te parts list.

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

Your struts are shot!

Thanks. What makes you think struts as opposed to all the other possible candidates?

well these are all guesses but are all very possible. front swaybar end links, rear trailing arm bushings (RTAB) "i just changed mine due to a heavy clunk when ever the rear wheels would hit a bump or go over a ledge."

Originally Posted by Mannydog

Thanks. What makes you think struts as opposed to all the other possible candidates?

It might be all of the candidates except rear springs, because that's what you mentioned replacing.

I am on my 3rd e46, and 4th BMW, based on my humble experience.... I would bet your struts, and shocks are bad.
It could be endlinks, which are likely bad too, and will cause clunking in the front.

You will likely need to replace struts, and shocks, mounts links, 4-5 times throughout the 300,000+ mile life of the car.

Normal people will ignore this preventative maintenance, and let it go to a point where it becomes noticeable in the most mild conditions. "Tiny bumps, and seams"similar to what you have described. At this point its safe to say your suspension is in dire need of a refresh....

Once your suspension is shot, things like your control arms bushings, and outer ball joints in the control arm start to see a lot more shock, and impact, which begins to wear, and in the case of ball joints literally tear open like a tin can.

It's the all too often case, of one problem directly creating other problems.

GL

push down on the fender/ rear bumper and try to replicate the noise. jack up the rear of the car and inspect the sway bar links, strut, strut mount, rtabs.

I think a rear sub frame is the biggest concern...once you rule that out everthing else is cake. Worn bushings will cause clunking noises

Originally Posted by Pixxy

I think a rear sub frame is the biggest concern...once you rule that out everthing else is cake. Worn bushings will cause clunking noises

Not too common on 02's though.
Never rule it out though.