Masta420

Hey everyone,

I recently purchased a used 2008 535i with 105k miles. It's making a clunking/rattle noise over bumpy roads and driving over the smallest of uneven surfaces may cause it to happen. It can get loud and annoying, as im sure some of you may already know. I had my mechanic take look at it asap and we noticed the front end control arms were shot and needed be replaced. So I ended up getting new control arms and ball joint assemblies, stabilizer bar links, and steering tie rod. It all came together in a kit by Meyle with mostly HD parts. After installation and alignment, the vehicle seems to feel and handle well. However, the noise over bumps still continues and did not get any better. We suspect it is most likely the struts and strut mounts as there is not much else to replace up front, although, I wouldnt know myself as I am not a mechanic. I thought I should get some advice/opinions from other people, so here I am. Thanks in advance to anyone who can be helpful!

kd7iwp

Bummer that he didn't figure out the clunking before the alignment because presumable you would need another alignment after removing the front struts. You replaced all the things I would have guessed it to be so I agree that looking at struts or upper shock mounts is a good place to start. You're sure it's not coming from the rear-end at all?

audiophool

Upper strut mounts hold the weight of the entire car in rubber blocks. Mine looked like this but weren't making noise.

Masta420

It definitely sounds like it's up front. Especially the front driver side. I'm also getting a creaking/squeaking sound now after the installation of the new parts. It occurs when I accelerate from a stop, or when braking coming to a stop, or making a turn. It appears i'm cursed with annoying bmw noises lol

seanjordan20

If you hear a noise put it in the air and push on the suspension. You should find it that way

cmyachtie

On the squeaking sounds, was your mechanic familiar with bmw’s And “loaded” the parts before they were torqued to spec?
If not that could be the cause for the new sounds you’re experiencing.

GreaseMonkey535i

that might be my issue replaced everything suspension related minus rack and active sway bar. massive creaking now smh

audiophool

If you have active sway, see somebody who can run it through the self-test. They'll be able to pinpoint noises without even driving it if it's anything to do with the sways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnfY...ature=youtu.be

NoQuarter

Couple ideas:
- Loosen all the new bushings, rest the car on the tires so it is loaded up as stated above, then retorque.
- Grease the sway bar bushings
- Check/replace motor mounts

Masta420

It was indeed pre loaded and torqued down properly. We were able to jack the car back up and pinpoint the new creaking/squeak noise. One of driver side control arm bolts needed to be tightened a tad bit more. So far so good. However, still clunking over bumps. Next up is the struts and mounts, fingers crossed.