Loud clunk in front suspension

[sbkim]

Hello everyone,

Our 2015 X5 5.0 has been experiencing a intermittent loud pop from under front suspension while moving slow and perhaps with slight incline/decline. Unfortunately the noise isn't there all the time so dealer has not been helpful with identifying root cause. It's loud enough to freak out my wife who drives the car daily. Dealer claims no issues (nothing is loose etc.) I do recall them replacing tie rod or some front end suspension component a few months back.

Anyone else with issues similar?

Many thanks!

[surfcali]

I have the same noise and can't figure it out - I do have coilovers. I checked my coilovers and control arms and all fine. Sounds like my spring is overcompressing - happens when I turn all the way left and go up a driveway, or sometimes when i reverse with wheel turned all the way right.

[Dirty Cash]

Originally Posted by sbkim

Hello everyone,

Our 2015 X5 5.0 has been experiencing a intermittent loud pop from under front suspension while moving slow and perhaps with slight incline/decline. Unfortunately the noise isn't there all the time so dealer has not been helpful with identifying root cause. It's loud enough to freak out my wife who drives the car daily. Dealer claims no issues (nothing is loose etc.) I do recall them replacing tie rod or some front end suspension component a few months back.

Anyone else with issues similar?

Many thanks!

I have the same year/model X5 as you and...

I had something slightly similar, but it wasn't a loud clunk. It was more akin to a very faint sound that I can only describe as being something like a coffee cup rattling on a saucer. It wasn't alarming, but something I didn't want coming up later to cause major damage.

Took her to the dealer and the Service Manager drove the X5 w/me in the car and every time I heard it I pointed it out to him, after about 5 minutes of driving (at the same slow speeds you're describing) he heard the sound. Long story short, they had to hook up some sort of "listening" device that can pinpoint strange sounds and they were able to "hear" that it was the lower control arm on the drivers side that needed replacement.

Not sure if this is your case, but demand that the Service Manager ride with you so you can point out the sound with them in the vehicle. Also, see if they have the "listening" device that my dealer/service department used to isolate the noise.

[sbkim]

Just a quick update. My service advisor confirmed that they replaced rt frt control arm about a year ago and I am afraid the noises started around that time. I will keep you guys posted. Thank you both for your advice!

[surfcali]

Any update?

[Live4USMC]

My x5 is going in on Wednesday for the same issue. It was in before and they had to order parts. The diagnosis was cracked and worn lower control arm bushings. Will report back on if the replacement solves the problem.

[Dilmorecg]

I have a similar issue but its more of a creak/feels like something is loose on the driver side front. Ive taken it in once and the dealer identified the noise but claimed it was the brakes, which I don't think is right. I haven't had time to take it to a different dealer.

[mynameisplayer]

I have the same issue. Another thread mentioned a TSB on replacing a shock?

[Silververtu]

I have similar issue and the dealer said it needs to replace the ball joint. I won't have the car back until later next week. Will report back if that solves the issue.

[smc007]

Replying so I can follow. 15 50i here as well.

I have had my lower arm(s?) replaced and it went away for a bit. But now it's back.

[Silververtu]

To report back. The car has been in the shop for almost a week, replaced the ball joint but the issue is still there. They hooked a "microphone" device to try to find where the sound came out from but couldn't find it. The service dept has contacted the regional tech rep to see what causes the knocking sound.

[smc007]

Bump. Able to get this solved?

[jlstyle]

Wow I guess I'm not alone. My car is also MY15 and has this loud clunk sound time to time, mostly in the cold start in winter times, reversing back with steering to one side.
Typically a loud one clunk, sometimes less loud 3~4 clunk as I'm reversing. Problem is I can never replicate the problem at the dealer so I was the weird one. With this thread in hand, I can go back to them and have the car checked. Let's get this thread rolling.

[shezi01]

My 2014 x5 35i has been in shop for 2 weeks now. Technician drove with me want was able to reproduce the noise. They replaced the bushings and then control arms and still has the noise mentioned earlier in the post when going over bumps or small incline. Now after New year's they will be putting on chasey ears listening device to pin point as the noise is still there, and will be bisecting the suspension as well.. kinda starting to get worried about this. 2 weeks and still no resolution in sight.

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by Dilmorecg

I have a similar issue but its more of a creak/feels like something is loose on the driver side front. Ive taken it in once and the dealer identified the noise but claimed it was the brakes, which I don't think is right. I haven't had time to take it to a different dealer.

i have the same issue, and am pretty sure its the brakes, noise coming from front drivers side as well. heres a test u can do urself. roll the car forward and hit the brake like u do normally, then reverse and hit the brakes again. the moment u hit the brakes after changing directions it will creak, and if u really pay attention u can vaguely feel it in the brake pedal. move ur car forward again and hit the brakes and again it will creak. reason being there is slight play in the caliper where the pads are mounted, so every time u change directions and hit the brakes, the pads shift forward and back. if u really want to get rid of the noise, take apart the caliper and liberally lube the contact points where the pad is held in place by the caliper.

[Dilmorecg]

I just got my car back from the dealer and they said there was a bulletin about this. Front lower control arms. They replaced both on my car. SIB 31 03 17...I couldn't find that SIB with a google search. The notes say they replaced both lower wishbones with improved parts with Index # 05+. Not sure what all that means. P/N 31-12-6-864-821 & -822

[mynameisplayer]

PLease do us a favour and ask your dealer what the buletin number was?

[Dilmorecg]

They have SIB 31 03 17 listed on the invoice but like I said I cant find it online anywhere...but I dont really know where to look.

[Zamorskii]

I took my car in twice with exactly the same issue: thump noise while going up/down hill with the steering wheel turned all the way to the left. Neither time they were able to replicate the sound or found issues with the suspension. I since then left it be, but the noise begins to surface more often, so will take it in another time and bring this discussion along.

[Silververtu]

Got my car back after 40 days. At first they guessed what caused the noise so they replaced the ball joint, strut and strut mount but couldn't get rid of the noise. So the dealer asked the BMW regional tech TWICE to out to try to find out what caused the noise and they got rid of the noise by replacing one of the arms. Just got the car back late last week.

[Zamorskii]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Got my car back after 40 days. At first they guessed what caused the noise so they replaced the ball joint, strut and strut mount but couldn't get rid of the noise. So the dealer asked the BMW regional tech TWICE to out to try to find out what caused the noise and they got rid of the noise by replacing one of the arms. Just got the car back late last week.

Did your car make the noise all the time?

I drove to the area where my dealer is to try to find a spot where it would make the noise all the time and was unable to replicate it. Was going over bumps, up/down ramps, nothing worked. Then this morning turning into my ramp at work, thump, as it always does. I may have to drive BMW techs downtown, I guess.

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Did your car make the noise all the time?

I drove to the area where my dealer is to try to find a spot where it would make the noise all the time and was unable to replicate it. Was going over bumps, up/down ramps, nothing worked. Then this morning turning into my ramp at work, thump, as it always does. I may have to drive BMW techs downtown, I guess.

My car would make noise all the time (speed bumps, passing through road fillings, gaps between concrete road sections, etc.) and it's extremely easy to replicate. I was able to replicate it at dealer lot without getting out on the road. However, the noise was not loud so I drove it at very low speed, more like let the car rolled, and audio off while trying to replicate it. Also, my car would make that noise no matter if the steering is straight or turning.

So, try to drive the BMW tech around the areas that you know the car would make that noise. It's just that mine was very easy to replicate, plus I also spent almost a month to verify which wheel/axle was making the noise before I went to the dealer.