Guess the worn ball joint..

[themoog]

Our black X5 has a slight knocking coming from one of the front joints so before I take a look I thought I would put it out there for you guys to have a guess at which one it is.
To give you a clue- it knocks most notably on relatively un bumpy roads but where the car is sort of swaying side to side.
There is no prize for the winner by the way..

[henrym3]

On parts group one picture calls it a tension strut and another calls it a radius rod, but if it's knocking then the ball joint on the end. I wouldn't discount the ARB link arm. If I'm right, I get nothing, If I'm wrong, I get criticism, doesn't seem fair.

[Alan Gunn]

I was going to say drop links but changed my mind in case i am wrong 

[X5-D-Sport]

I have this exact issue, with the MOT looming in 20 days.
A poke about under her revealed the bottom swivel on the track control arm..

part from ebay below

eBay item number:301734919455

[Smeeagain]

[quote="themoog"]
Our black X5 has a slight knocking coming from one of the front joints so before I take a look I thought I would put it out there for you guys to have a guess at which one it is.
To give you a clue- it knocks most notably on relatively un bumpy roads but where the car is sort of swaying side to side.
There is no prize for the winner by the way..
[/quote]

My guess is it is one of the front joints 

Smee

[marinaman]

had this when we got ours,  so many joints, maybe all same age,  got a full kit of all joints rods etc of Ebay for both fronts from Germany £129    great price, fitted at local garage and no knocks,  ott maybe  but for that cost change em all then your done

[henrym3]

Smee, Is your reply what people refer to as "a broad stroke of the pen"

[Smeeagain]

[quote="henrym3"]
Smee, Is your reply what people refer to as "a broad stroke of the pen"
[/quote].

Perhaps, but nonetheless, Im fairly sure you'll find I'm right ....

Smee

[themoog]

I havnt checked yet but I recon it could be the anti roll bar links. The way it knocks when the car rocks side to side etc is giving it away. That's my guess anyway..
Luckily I have a pair in the garage.
To be honest the car has got to nearly 80k (2003 MY So llow mileage ) and I would think all the suspension arms are a bit worn now. On my car I replaced everything last year and it feels tight in comparison. Mine had original components on until 140k.

[henrym3]

Haven't you fixed it yet, can't sleep at night wondering. You need to get your finger out and sort it :noexpression:

[themoog]

I know- what a slacker... It won't be needed for the next few weeks as the boss is away so ill get on it then.

[themoog]

Just reviving this old post..
I finally got under the car today to check the joints at the front. The culprits are the lower rear track arms. Nearside is really bad. Ordered some online.
Ill replace them next week when she wont be using the car.
Did anyone guess (specifically) the correct component?
As a side note, i noticed the wear on the outside edge of one of the front tyres had accelerated in the past few months. The wife even said the car felt 'lose' so it must have been bad..

[themoog]

Well that was a waste of money..gone and traded it in for a Range Rover sport. I've still got my X5 tho'..