Clunking Noise at Low Speeds, Bumps?

[Teqnik]

Hello all,

I began hearing a metallic clunking noise at low speeds (5-20 mph) over bumps on the front driver side wheel area.

There is no such noise at cruising or highway speeds. The sound happens regardless of wheel turn. The steering wheel itself feels good, no play, vibration or apparent alignment issues.

Has anyone had this happen? Any fixes for it?

The car is a 2009 135i, stock everything.

[ShocknAwe]

Sway bar end links could be loose or worn out.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Sway bar end links could be loose or worn out.

Is this something that is easily diagnosable by a mechanic or BMW dealership?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Is this something that is easily diagnosable by a mechanic or BMW dealership?

You might be able to do it yourself if its bad enough. When mine went bad I could replicate the clunk by grabbing the hub and bar and wiggling/shoving it around to load the sway bar.

Should be easily diagnose-able by any tech with half a brain.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

You might be able to do it yourself if its bad enough. When mine went bad I could replicate the clunk by grabbing the hub and bar and wiggling/shoving it around to load the sway bar.

Should be easily diagnose-able by any tech with half a brain.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I'll have the dealership take a look at it since it's in warranty.

[ShocknAwe]

Resolution?

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Resolution?

The dealership said that the front stabilizer bar end links and thrust arms "have play" and need to be replaced.

They quoted me about $1000 to get everything done, which includes a wheel alignment.

I have the BMW gold extended warranty through 2015, but they said that this was wear and tear and would not be covered under warranty.

Thoughts? Is this a DIY job or something that I should let the pros handle?

[ShocknAwe]

End links are EASY. Thrust arms I am not familiar with so I don't want to tell you something and have it not be true.

My gut says it's all just a few bolts and just DIY it then take in for alignment.

You always have the option of buying OEM BMW parts yourself, leave them in the bags sealed and take them to the dealership/indi service for install to save yourself the parts up-charge.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

End links are EASY. Thrust arms I am not familiar with so I don't want to tell you something and have it not be true.

My gut says it's all just a few bolts and just DIY it then take in for alignment.

You always have the option of buying OEM BMW parts yourself, leave them in the bags sealed and take them to the dealership/indi service for install to save yourself the parts up-charge.

My independent shop said that thrust arms=control arms. They quoted me $850 for parts and labor.

What annoys me is that the car, being bone stock and never driven hard, already has suspension issues. On top of that, BMW says that it is not covered under warranty.

[Stupenal]

Welcome to BMW. The amount of suspension parts that require replacing due to wear and tear is pretty astonishing. This is the price you pay for having such a great driving machine.

I would say these parts are normal around the 75-100k mark, so if you're near that mileage it's not a surprise. Might as well upgrade to the m3 arms while you're at it.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by Stupenal

Welcome to BMW. The amount of suspension parts that require replacing due to wear and tear is pretty astonishing. This is the price you pay for having such a great driving machine.

I would say these parts are normal around the 75-100k mark, so if you're near that mileage it's not a surprise. Might as well upgrade to the m3 arms while you're at it.

Yeah that seems crazy. I'm at 39k atm.

How much are m3 replacements? Are there thrust arm as well as end link replacements?

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ///JAAM

I would swap the endlinks first as you don't need an alignment after that. And relatively cheap and easy to install.
I took out my front control arms and thrust arms at 31k and there was absolutely no play in the ball joints or any extreme wear on the bushings.

Any reputable sellers for the end links? Also, I did a DIY search for end links and didn't find anything.

Is their only one end link per side?

Thanks in advance.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ///JAAM

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...ont_End_Links/

I am always partial to the oe parts, but any of them on this page would probably be fine.
Yes 1 per side.

Thanks! I'm guessing they are a bolt on replacement part?

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ///JAAM

Yes. Must have both front wheels off the ground at the same time.

Thanks. Would you happen to have any pictures of their exact location or a DIY for this?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Thanks. Would you happen to have any pictures of their exact location or a DIY for this?

Connects the end of the sway bar to the damper. I believe its a 16mm socket and a 17mm wrench to get them free. Looks like a straight rod a little thinner than a cm across, 5 inches long and has a little ball joint type connection at each end.

I would disconnect the strut side first, then the sway side, put he new one on in reverse order, hand tighten connections, then load suspension and torque down.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Connects the end of the sway bar to the damper. I believe its a 16mm socket and a 17mm wrench to get them free. Looks like a straight rod a little thinner than a cm across, 5 inches long and has a little ball joint type connection at each end.

I would disconnect the strut side first, then the sway side, put he new one on in reverse order, hand tighten connections, then load suspension and torque down.

Thanks. I'll do the end links first and see if that fixes the issue.

If not, does the entire control arm need to be replaced or can I just do the bushings? I've read that it varies by the car and didn't know how the 135i worked in this aspect.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Thanks. I'll do the end links first and see if that fixes the issue.

If not, does the entire control arm need to be replaced or can I just do the bushings? I've read that it varies by the car and didn't know how the 135i worked in this aspect.

You could just do the bushings, but that's more of a pain in the ass. The TRW M3 arms are fairly cheap.

[Teqnik]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

You could just do the bushings, but that's more of a pain in the ass. The TRW M3 arms are fairly cheap.

Thanks for the info. Is there both an upper and lower control arm? If so, do they need to be replaced together? Also, is there a reputable seller that sells ones that fit the 135i?

I'll probably just get the end links and control arms and have my shop replace them.

[Rockstar1487]

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Thanks for the info. Is there both an upper and lower control arm? If so, do they need to be replaced together? Also, is there a reputable seller that sells ones that fit the 135i?

I'll probably just get the end links and control arms and have my shop replace them.

the website that was given to you before, ecstuning, has both upper and lower control arms. just shop around on the site, you will find everything you need. other sites to use, turnermotorsport.com; bavauto.com; getbmwparts.com etc.etc. good luck with the parts search!

[Teqnik]

Got it, thanks.

Do both the upper and lower control arms need to be replaced at the same time?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Thanks for the info. Is there both an upper and lower control arm? If so, do they need to be replaced together? Also, is there a reputable seller that sells ones that fit the 135i?

I'll probably just get the end links and control arms and have my shop replace them.

I would get OE BMW end links first from a BMW online parts store. If that doesn't fix your issue, then move on to the control arms.

To answer your questions:

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Is there both an upper and lower control arm?

Yes

Originally Posted by Teqnik

If so, do they need to be replaced together?

No

Originally Posted by Teqnik

Also, is there a reputable seller that sells ones that fit the 135i?

Yes (I used FCPEuro to get my control arms, it really doesn't matter just make sure you're getting the right part numbers). If you get the M3 control arms you MUST get the headlight adjusting rod. FWIW you can also get them on Amazon.

[Teqnik]

Thank you so much for your help. I'll replace the end links first and report back