Clunking sound front end.

Airborne82id · 01-22-2013, 10:38 PM

While I'm here ...

Been having this metallic sounding noise coming outta the front end, possibly the passenger side.

It happens when going over bumps or road imperfections. I tried to establish a pattern as to when it happens and it seems strangely random. I can go over a road bump, and nothing. Then a small crack on the road and I hear it. And it's not perpetual.

I'm waiting to have some time to lift her up and look under there. I did crawl down there and nothing seems outta the usual.

I know it can't be control arms and/or bushing.

Nerdy46 · 01-22-2013, 10:40 PM

check your swaybar end links

tock172 · 01-22-2013, 10:41 PM

When did you last refresh your suspension components?

Airborne82id · 01-22-2013, 11:20 PM

I got this car 20k ago with 117k on odo. New Bilstein rear shock. Rear shock mount reinforcement. Shock mount rear. Rear shock compression absorber (bump stop). It's got new swaybar in the front and new power slot cryo rotors and pads all 4.

I can tell it's got original control arms and bushings- Also, I don't see any receitpts for them. Springs and shock absorber also stock and I've been contemplating on replacing them just for ride quality. I've replaced my CA and bushings on my previous e46 and they were beyond shot; didn't experience any clunking sound.

MercForHire · 01-22-2013, 11:22 PM

another case of dried up lithum grease in strut mounts

Airborne82id · 01-22-2013, 11:32 PM

I think you're right. It does sound exactly like it's coming from a spring.

How do you fix that?

MercForHire · 01-22-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne82id

I think you're right. It does sound exactly like it's coming from a spring.

How do you fix that?

pop the hood and squeeze some lithum grease into the strut mount ball bearings.

BMWCaptain · 01-23-2013, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercForHire

pop the hood and squeeze some lithum grease into the strut mount ball bearings.

I'm glad I am not the only one anymore who was suggesting to grease the strut mounts.

BMWCaptain · 01-23-2013, 12:30 AM

Still need to look at your LCAB.

Check your ball joints too. I had one that was loose and caused a noise when going over bumps.

RayPooley · 01-23-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne82id

While I'm here ...

Been having this metallic sounding noise coming outta the front end, possibly the passenger side.

It happens when going over bumps or road imperfections. I tried to establish a pattern as to when it happens and it seems strangely random. I can go over a road bump, and nothing. Then a small crack on the road and I hear it. And it's not perpetual.

I'm waiting to have some time to lift her up and look under there. I did crawl down there and nothing seems outta the usual.

I know it can't be control arms and/or bushing.

This .....

taibinhvuong · 01-23-2013, 09:16 AM

It looks like your passenger side control arm inner ball joint is shot.

Jack both front end up, swing front right tire to full extend left and right, use a flash light careful to examine the rubber cover of the inner ball joint (one that mounted to the brake assembly, not the middle one), you may find it cracked and grease is leaking, this is the indication of a bad ball joint and will give you the clunk when go over sharp bump or road crack.

A loose or bad right sway bar bushing may also contribute to the clunking, check the bushing mounting bracket to make sure it is tight as well.

Airborne82id · 01-23-2013, 06:27 PM

I think Mercforhire suggestion is more likely the culprit.

When CAB are totally shot, it's not the sound that will alert you the most; It's the ride quality. As I've mentioned I've replaced control arms and bushings on my previous e46. This is different.

The sound sounds more like "ding", as if metal touching another metal but very hollow and light. I'm suspecting that spring, either hitting something or the bearings like Mercforhire suggested.

01-22-2013, 10:38 PM	#1
Airborne82id Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LA Posts: 70 My Ride: LA View My Garage	Clunking sound front end. While I'm here ... Been having this metallic sounding noise coming outta the front end, possibly the passenger side. It happens when going over bumps or road imperfections. I tried to establish a pattern as to when it happens and it seems strangely random. I can go over a road bump, and nothing. Then a small crack on the road and I hear it. And it's not perpetual. I'm waiting to have some time to lift her up and look under there. I did crawl down there and nothing seems outta the usual. I know it can't be control arms and/or bushing.

01-22-2013, 10:40 PM	#2
Nerdy46 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: USA Posts: 638 My Ride: 328i View My Garage	check your swaybar end links __________________ Daily: 1999 328i (202k)- Sport and winter package, 5speed, Jet Black, hellbeige, e60 Short throw, cross drilled rotors, koni, H&R, ASA AR1, Vibrant stealth, basslink Track: 1995 Mustang GT (230k)- 306ci, 5 speed, MGW shifter, Trickflow Heads, Trickflow intake, street cam, shaved and tucked engine bay, slammed, 1 3/4'' long tubes, tuned with moates.

01-22-2013, 10:41 PM	#3
tock172 100% star stuff Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,451 My Ride: 2004 330i View My Garage	When did you last refresh your suspension components? __________________ Bilstein/Eibach B12 Pro-Plus Suspension System \| DICE Mediabridge \| Valentine One

01-22-2013, 11:22 PM	#5
MercForHire Sh1tty Advisor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Waterloo,Ontario Posts: 4,125 My Ride: 323Ci 5 Speed Black View My Garage	another case of dried up lithum grease in strut mounts __________________ Oops! My Water Pump Broke Again .................... Coolant in a Bottle

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01-22-2013, 11:20 PM	#4
Airborne82id Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LA Posts: 70 My Ride: LA View My Garage	I got this car 20k ago with 117k on odo. New Bilstein rear shock. Rear shock mount reinforcement. Shock mount rear. Rear shock compression absorber (bump stop). It's got new swaybar in the front and new power slot cryo rotors and pads all 4. I can tell it's got original control arms and bushings- Also, I don't see any receitpts for them. Springs and shock absorber also stock and I've been contemplating on replacing them just for ride quality. I've replaced my CA and bushings on my previous e46 and they were beyond shot; didn't experience any clunking sound.

01-22-2013, 11:32 PM	#6
Airborne82id Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LA Posts: 70 My Ride: LA View My Garage	I think you're right. It does sound exactly like it's coming from a spring. How do you fix that?

01-23-2013, 12:30 AM	#9
BMWCaptain Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: TEXAS - 25X,XXX PLUS MILES CLUB MEMBER Posts: 1,235 My Ride: 03 325iT Sport Wagon View My Garage	Still need to look at your LCAB. Check your ball joints too. I had one that was loose and caused a noise when going over bumps.

01-23-2013, 09:16 AM	#11
taibinhvuong Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 707 My Ride: E46 99' 328i View My Garage	It looks like your passenger side control arm inner ball joint is shot. Jack both front end up, swing front right tire to full extend left and right, use a flash light careful to examine the rubber cover of the inner ball joint (one that mounted to the brake assembly, not the middle one), you may find it cracked and grease is leaking, this is the indication of a bad ball joint and will give you the clunk when go over sharp bump or road crack. A loose or bad right sway bar bushing may also contribute to the clunking, check the bushing mounting bracket to make sure it is tight as well.

01-23-2013, 06:27 PM	#12
Airborne82id Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LA Posts: 70 My Ride: LA View My Garage	I think Mercforhire suggestion is more likely the culprit. When CAB are totally shot, it's not the sound that will alert you the most; It's the ride quality. As I've mentioned I've replaced control arms and bushings on my previous e46. This is different. The sound sounds more like "ding", as if metal touching another metal but very hollow and light. I'm suspecting that spring, either hitting something or the bearings like Mercforhire suggested.