Front end noise/clunk

JMN · 09-14-2015, 08:13 AM

Started getting this annoying clunking noise from front end few weeks back, happens on lower speeds (under 20mph) when you drive over road imperfections and it seems to be getting worse. Sounds like some suspension piece is loose but dealer could not find anything, they checked the front brake pads too and made sure those were not making any sound.

Dealer ordered new drivers side shock but I have a feeling it's not coming from there. Anyone else experienced something similar? Car is stock suspension wise.

Just saw AMPowerj's thread "I ran across a suggestion somewhere to make sure you torque the sway bar tie rod to the strut with load on the suspension. I realized I hadn't done this with the installs so I pulled the front of the car up on race ramps today and tightened the nuts connecting the rod to the strut, obviously with the wheels still on and the suspension under load. " - I'll ask dealer guys try this before they start swapping suspension pieces.

HP Autosport · 09-16-2015, 12:48 AM

Dealership has the capability of mounting chassis ears to each component to try to pin point the sound, haven't they done that?

Anti roll bar links would be my first guess. Struts, mounts and springs can all make noise. Even control arm bushings and joints. .

JMN · 09-17-2015, 07:38 PM

They did use the chassis ears, supposedly drivers side thrust rod was causing the clunking noise.

HP Autosport · 09-18-2015, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMN

They did use the chassis ears, supposedly drivers side thrust rod was causing the clunking noise.

There you go!

tooch · 09-20-2015, 09:23 PM

Did this fix it for you? I'm having a noise as well when I turn my wheels lock to lock i get a clunk when it's near the locks on either side intermittently. thanks

JMN · 10-03-2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooch

Did this fix it for you? I'm having a noise as well when I turn my wheels lock to lock i get a clunk when it's near the locks on either side intermittently. thanks

Sorry for late reply, been traveling... yes the sounds is gone. I had no issues when turning wheels thou, just when you drive over any seams on the road / other imperfections.

krotondo · 05-13-2018, 10:46 AM

bumping this thread, i belive i have this issue on my 17' ZCP as i hear the same sound under same conditions as described, going to bring it up at my 30k service here in a few thousand miles

C-Mu · 05-14-2018, 11:50 AM

Mine is doing the same thing. I've already had it fixed in Feb 2018 and now the noise is back. I thought it might be related to the M Performance HAS I had installed in Feb 2017 but maybe not? Anyone else with the HAS having the same issue?

CAOZKAN · 05-14-2018, 12:22 PM

"Front strut clunking" thread's last post can be the solution. I have the same problem, I will try this one this weekend.

C-Mu · 05-14-2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAOZKAN

"Front strut clunking" thread's last post can be the solution. I have the same problem, I will try this one this weekend.

Thanks but this doesn't seem right to me? The noise didn't start right away and gets progressively worse over time like something is getting loose and not seating properly.

ptper · 05-14-2018, 01:04 PM

The noise (rattle/clunk)I have sounds eerily similar to an issue I had on my S4 years ago...bad end link. But, I do have the M Performance HAS setup and a few folks have reported the same kind of noise, so I don't what to believe at this point.

krotondo · 06-25-2018, 02:26 PM

brought mine in for this today - dealer confirmed and had to order a left front thrust arm as there is excessive play in the ball joint

09-14-2015, 08:13 AM	#1
JMN Private First Class 37 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X4 m40d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tallinn, Estonia iTrader: (0)	Front end noise/clunk Started getting this annoying clunking noise from front end few weeks back, happens on lower speeds (under 20mph) when you drive over road imperfections and it seems to be getting worse. Sounds like some suspension piece is loose but dealer could not find anything, they checked the front brake pads too and made sure those were not making any sound. Dealer ordered new drivers side shock but I have a feeling it's not coming from there. Anyone else experienced something similar? Car is stock suspension wise. Just saw AMPowerj's thread "I ran across a suggestion somewhere to make sure you torque the sway bar tie rod to the strut with load on the suspension. I realized I hadn't done this with the installs so I pulled the front of the car up on race ramps today and tightened the nuts connecting the rod to the strut, obviously with the wheels still on and the suspension under load. " - I'll ask dealer guys try this before they start swapping suspension pieces. __________________ 2019 BMW X4 m40d
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-16-2015, 12:48 AM	#2
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3888 Rep 54,553 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	Dealership has the capability of mounting chassis ears to each component to try to pin point the sound, haven't they done that? Anti roll bar links would be my first guess. Struts, mounts and springs can all make noise. Even control arm bushings and joints. .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2015, 07:38 PM	#3
JMN Private First Class 37 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X4 m40d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tallinn, Estonia iTrader: (0)	They did use the chassis ears, supposedly drivers side thrust rod was causing the clunking noise. __________________ 2019 BMW X4 m40d
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2015, 09:23 PM	#5
tooch Captain 112 Rep 806 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NOR-CAL iTrader: (0)	Did this fix it for you? I'm having a noise as well when I turn my wheels lock to lock i get a clunk when it's near the locks on either side intermittently. thanks __________________ 96 E31 JB 07 E92 AW F82 BSM
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2018, 10:46 AM	#7
krotondo First Lieutenant 118 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2017 AW/Full SO M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	bumping this thread, i belive i have this issue on my 17' ZCP as i hear the same sound under same conditions as described, going to bring it up at my 30k service here in a few thousand miles
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2018, 11:50 AM	#8
C-Mu Lieutenant 135 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Mine is doing the same thing. I've already had it fixed in Feb 2018 and now the noise is back. I thought it might be related to the M Performance HAS I had installed in Feb 2017 but maybe not? Anyone else with the HAS having the same issue?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2018, 12:22 PM	#9
CAOZKAN Lieutenant 98 Rep 475 Posts Drives: Austin Yellow M4 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Milan/Monza iTrader: (0)	"Front strut clunking" thread's last post can be the solution. I have the same problem, I will try this one this weekend.
	Appreciate 1 C-Mu135.00 Quote

05-14-2018, 01:04 PM	#11
ptper Major 589 Rep 1,094 Posts Drives: '18 Avus Blue F80 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	The noise (rattle/clunk)I have sounds eerily similar to an issue I had on my S4 years ago...bad end link. But, I do have the M Performance HAS setup and a few folks have reported the same kind of noise, so I don't what to believe at this point.
	Appreciate 1 C-Mu135.00 Quote

06-25-2018, 02:26 PM	#12
krotondo First Lieutenant 118 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2017 AW/Full SO M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	brought mine in for this today - dealer confirmed and had to order a left front thrust arm as there is excessive play in the ball joint
	Appreciate 0 Quote