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knocking noise over light bumps

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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steve1986
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knocking noise over light bumps

Post by steve1986 » Thu May 14, 2015 12:05 am

Hi Guys

Over light bumps I am getting an thump from the front suspension almost like top mounts  or a lower arm on an older car. It doesn't make a noise over large bumps just smaller undulations in the road at parking speed or rough roads at low speeds. Any ideas on what this may be would be very helpful.

Thanks again

Steve
2006 E53 X5 Le Mans Sport Exclusive Edition
1993 E32 740i

TimX5
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by TimX5 » Thu May 14, 2015 6:24 am

Image

Check the front lower arm bushes the above pic shows what they look like , mine was the same and a pair of new bushes cured it.

steve1986
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by steve1986 » Thu May 14, 2015 10:55 am

Hi Tim,

I had a feeling the lower arms may be the culprit, havent had a chance to get it on the ramp yet and have a good loock, Where is the best place to get the bushes do you know ?

Will let you know what i find.

Thanks Again
2006 E53 X5 Le Mans Sport Exclusive Edition
1993 E32 740i

TimX5
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by TimX5 » Thu May 14, 2015 6:38 pm

[quote="steve1986"]
Hi Tim,



I had a feeling the lower arms may be the culprit, havent had a chance to get it on the ramp yet and have a good loock, Where is the best place to get the bushes do you know ?

Will let you know what i find.

Thanks Again
[/quote]

I bought mine from Andrew pages , a local motor factors will be able to get you then.

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Steamyrotter
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by Steamyrotter » Fri May 15, 2015 12:14 am

Could also be the front anti roll bar drop links..
They can make that clunking noise.

Relatively cheap and easy thing to try first, and prob worth doing anyway, but also will allow you to check the rest of the joints up front.

I have just replaced the complete setup on the front of mine and what a difference..
Much more planted and now with proper tracking set up too ..
If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)

steve1986
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by steve1986 » Fri May 15, 2015 1:25 pm

Good idea, i will get a couple of drop links and the bushes for the arm anyway.

Thanks
2006 E53 X5 Le Mans Sport Exclusive Edition
1993 E32 740i

rhinoman
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by rhinoman » Sun May 24, 2015 9:37 pm

I concur that drop links are most likely for your symptoms and as said, easy to do.
You'll probably end up replacing most of it though because as soon as you change a weakened part it exposes the next weak link in the chain. If you are paying someone to do it, it's probably better to get a quote to do most of it in one go.
This is my experience and when we change the E53 for an E70 I'll probably do front and back in one go if it's done 90k or more because it will be way past its best.
Don't forget it will want 4 wheel alignment afterwards too.

Razoor
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by Razoor » Mon May 25, 2015 9:49 pm

Hello All,

Well i'm glad for those that got there knocking sorted on the front end, but I have'nt  :wall:

I've changed in pairs the front lower control arms, the anti rollbar drop links and the bottom ball joints.

The ball joints were a right bugger to do, resulting in the use of WD40 soak and an air chisel. Also one of the drop links was seized, so I had to cut the nut off with a disc cutter.

This took me a good few hours to do and the result was disappointing to say the least!

So, I suppose what's left is the top arm, tie rod ends and possibly strut related?

Before I delve into the "what's left" does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Tommy
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Re: knocking noise over light bumps

Post by Tommy » Tue May 26, 2015 5:06 pm

Strut mounting bush.

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