06-07-2021, 11:07 AM | #1 |
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Front Control Arm Diagnosis Hell
I've been trying to diagnosis a "creaking" sound coming from the front passenger side suspension for 3-4 months now, and I'm about ready to drive my X5 off a cliff. I hear the sound at very low speeds. It first started sounding like the strut mount was loose and now has progressed to a "creaking" sound. On top of that the car feels very loose under light cornering load and will often trigger the traction control light. It's a very uneasy feeling when the traction control intervenes. Here's what I've replaced since the sound emerged:
- BC Racing coilovers (I thought my OEM strut or strut mount was bad so instead of paying $600 for 2 new front struts I paid $1K for the coilovers for all 4 corners. - Both drivers and passenger side Upper control arm assembly (#19 on diagram) - Passenger side lower forward control arm (#8 on diagram) - Passenger side axle cv boot replacement So I have yet to replace #8 on the diagram so this would be the next logical step but I've already thrown so much money at this issue my fear is this won't fix my probs. I could see that bushing going bad causing the creaking sound but would it be enough to trigger traction control??? What about sway bar bushings? Do these commonly go bad? I've had a mechanic take a ride w/ me and hear what I'm talking about, but he said he couldn't duplicate the sound once on the lift. He claims all the bushings checked out except there was a touch of excessive movement in the forward FCA (#8) when he torqued it with a pry bar. So he replaced that last week and still the sound plus traction control issue persists. What would you guys do in my shoes? I'd love to hear from guys that have had FCA (#13) replaced and what kind of issues were present before the arm was replaced. '15 X5 35i X-drive 102K miles Last edited by M302_imola; 06-07-2021 at 11:54 AM.. Reason: added mileage and chart |
06-07-2021, 11:53 AM | #3 |
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06-07-2021, 12:39 PM | #4 |
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Sway bar issue is easy to eliminate. Just disconnect the drop links then take a drive to see if the noise is still present.
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06-07-2021, 01:57 PM | #5 |
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06-07-2021, 08:33 PM | #6 |
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Anything bad about this brand? https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/DL-31126864822
It's significantly cheaper than OEM. |
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06-07-2021, 08:56 PM | #7 |
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Don't have any experience with that brand but Rock Auto has it for $48 . Think I would get the Moog for $55 though based on nothing more than brand familiarity.
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06-07-2021, 09:03 PM | #8 |
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06-07-2021, 10:01 PM | #9 |
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Do you have a video of the creak/groan?
On suspensions I only buy from FCP Euro for their lifetime replacement guarantee and only buy Meyle, Lemforder, Febi, or Bilstein unless there was a different specific OEM supplier for a given part that is cheaper than genuine. But 99% of the time, I go with Meyle or Lemforder. My philosophy on suspensions is when one part fails, they'll all fail one after the other in short order. To avoid the death by a thousand cuts I do the entire front or rear (whichever suffered a failure) all at one time. Avoids headaches with diagnosis usually and gives another 80-100k miles of quiet BMW handling. DIY'ing it usually runs ~$900 including an alignment. |
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06-07-2021, 11:37 PM | #10 | |
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Then it feels as new! Very satisfying. |
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06-08-2021, 01:53 AM | #11 |
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Also, to the OP, my previous E91 BMW made a very similar noise that you're describing which my new to me F15 makes. It went away when I replaced the front shocks. I believe the tension struts can also make a very similar noise. It's interesting that some have had issues with part #13 as those style bushings on many other BMWs are generally considered the more reliable ones. Solid rubber with no fluid and they only really move in one dimension.
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06-08-2021, 07:51 AM | #12 | |||
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I love Meyle but I couldn't find the (#13) arm in that brand. I also considered the Lemforder one. Fyi, #13 ended up being the culprit for the sound in the video above. Quote:
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Last edited by M302_imola; 06-08-2021 at 07:59 AM.. |
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06-08-2021, 11:28 AM | #14 |
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I get it bro, my thoughts exactly. That's why I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on the cheaper #13 part. Talking to the shop right now about if they are willing to help me out since they misdiagnosed the replacement of the #8 arm. I've spent close to $1500 in labor alone w/ this shop in the last month so I think the least they can do is install the new #13 arm w/ labor being on the house. We'll see what they come back with.
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06-08-2021, 11:58 AM | #15 | |
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06-08-2021, 01:14 PM | #16 | |
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Lemforder is as good as it gets for control arms. They are the same as the BMW units, sans the "bmw" label. $400 more, le sigh, again, haha. |
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06-08-2021, 02:32 PM | #17 | |
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If it fixed the noise then eventually wears out, then I would happily pay for a Lemforder replacement. That's just how I view it. Not my car/money though. |
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06-08-2021, 02:47 PM | #18 |
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Just a thought after re-reading the original post. If the car feels "loose" while cornering have you looked at the steering, specifically the tie rod ends?. Also it could be something not related to suspension at all. A badly worn or broken engine/differential mount may cause excessive movement in the drivetrain leading to that loose uneasy feeling.
I don't have any experience with the xDrive system, but would a faulty front differential trigger error codes?. A bad front diff may be the culprit or a contributing factor especially when you mention that you get traction control engaging during light cornering. Can you select 2wd vs 4wd high and low with the Xdrive?. Maybe try that and various sport, sport + modes to see if it makes a difference. Just spitballing here trying to think of free things you can try before shelling out more money. |
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06-08-2021, 03:36 PM | #19 |
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On my previous e46 sedan , I had chased a creak like this which ended up being sway bar end links. Did the BC's come with new ones?
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06-08-2021, 04:06 PM | #20 | |||
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I had that shop that replaced my FCA most recently check the sway bar end links and as well as the tie rods and they said everything looks good. But at the same time I now doesn't trust this shop at all so I prob need to get a 2nd opinion. The BC Racing coilovers did not come new sway bar end links. |
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06-08-2021, 04:16 PM | #21 | ||||
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06-08-2021, 04:26 PM | #22 | |
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Also, guys let's not get away from the youtube video I linked above. This is the exact sound I'm hearing in which the solution for that person was the #13 arm replacement. I mean, I've replaced everything on that side except that arm so why not? Oh yeah, there's that whole "I'm going broke, trying to diagnose this thing". I'm up shits' creek...somebody throw me a f'ing paddle! |
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