Front Suspension Clunk

[seanegee]

I'm thinking this has got to be a known issue given the similarity of our experiences here

[BMW X5 guy]

Originally Posted by seanegee

I'm thinking this has got to be a known issue given the similarity of our experiences here

You would think this, but GOrdon and others have been tossing all the high probability parts at the situation and it doesn't work out. This is a smaller subset of issue here that I suspect I'm part of as well.

I'm here rooting for GOrdon.

[Vdesai0326]

Originally Posted by G0rdon

If you are relating to such play like on my video (that's my axle), you can ignore it - even in brand new axle such play is required to work properly.
The problem would be if it would start to work vertically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYoW0W7De2o

What I can confirm about the strut mounts (OEM ones) I must admit they are truly "panzer" - after 275kk the gum filling looked like new.
Maybe you've got the problem like plenty of people - loose bolt on the top of the strut?

Yea I know there’s some play required just felt it was a little excessive. Also I replaced suspension to air ride so I know it’s no the strut mounts. I’ve checked the bolts on multiple occasions thinking it was that but definitely was not.
I’ll also check the mid i-shaft to see if there is any play.

Thanks for the response appreciate it

[G0rdon]

OK, steering shaft replaced...unfortunately, no changes in the mysterious dull clunk, or as we called it "scuttleshake...
Hmm, thinking of replacing the part above the steering shaft because it also have a play - the steering spindle (part No.2 on the scheme in post #56).
Guess I have to sit down and think what part else could be involved here...

[Vdesai0326]

Okay so today, did not hear the noise. I’m thinking it might be the front sway bar bushings, not the links. I know someone here mentioned they replaced the sway bar and noise went away. I’m thinking because of the heat they might have swollen and caused the noise to go away.
I’m thinking of ordering the power flex front sway bar bushings(for the regular sway bar not active) and possibly remove the fan assembly and see if I can get access to the bushings.

[seanegee]

Originally Posted by Vdesai0326

Okay so today, did not hear the noise. I’m thinking it might be the front sway bar bushings, not the links. I know someone here mentioned they replaced the sway bar and noise went away. I’m thinking because of the heat they might have swollen and caused the noise to go away.
I’m thinking of ordering the power flex front sway bar bushings(for the regular sway bar not active) and possibly remove the fan assembly and see if I can get access to the bushings.

So today has been warmish here in the South of the UK and has been a day when I haven't experienced the clunk, knock, damn annoying thing we are all chasing, as "normal". And this despite driving the same roads I do each and every day.
I'm not familiar with the layout of the underside of the F15 but what is there underneath around the bulk head, gearbox housing area and towards under the front seats - a cross membre of some sort perhaps? I'm starting the believe this area is the origin of the issue and not suspension.

[seanegee]

https://www.drive2.ru/l/678949530737063592/

Found these though

[Smoove.]

Try tightening the strut mount bolt, that fixed my issue which was a sharp but loose sounding like rattle/clunk going over roads with imperfections

[G0rdon]

Originally Posted by seanegee

So today has been warmish here in the South of the UK and has been a day when I haven't experienced the clunk, knock, damn annoying thing we are all chasing, as "normal". And this despite driving the same roads I do each and every day.
I'm not familiar with the layout of the underside of the F15 but what is there underneath around the bulk head, gearbox housing area and towards under the front seats - a cross membre of some sort perhaps? I'm starting the believe this area is the origin of the issue and not suspension.

Yesterday I've visited one of my cousins, who is a mechanic since 25 years and has a really good "ear" to sounds in the cars. So we've started to drive on bumpy roads. After each ride we were changing seats to identify the side.
The results are that the sound is definitely audible on the driver side - on passenger side you can barely hear it (until yesterday I was pretty sure it can be heard it in whole interior).

I've asked him - "so, suspension or what?"... and he said...definitely suspension, as he is 99% confident it's a rubber clunk...I told him I've replaced almost everything in front suspension. And once again we're coming to the sway bar...

Basically beside visual control, to check sway bar you have to swing the car from side to side and observe the bushings...two indy shops said to me my sway bar is fully okay, but I'm starting to doubt...
too bad in our F15's we can't change just the bushings, but the whole sway bar...

[jab23]

Bummer on the steering shaft experiment. Noise definitely more apparent on driver side. I was a passenger in my car recently and not nearly as noticeable. I think there is something to the sound being sent through the chassis. My mechanic suggested the same.

I’ll try to record my sound this weekend to see if we are all agonizing over the same thing. Now that it’s in my head, it’s 10 times worse!

[Vdesai0326]

Originally Posted by G0rdon

Yesterday I've visited one of my cousins, who is a mechanic since 25 years and has a really good "ear" to sounds in the cars. So we've started to drive on bumpy roads. After each ride we were changing seats to identify the side.
The results are that the sound is definitely audible on the driver side - on passenger side you can barely hear it (until yesterday I was pretty sure it can be heard it in whole interior).

I've asked him - "so, suspension or what?"... and he said...definitely suspension, as he is 99% confident it's a rubber clunk...I told him I've replaced almost everything in front suspension. And once again we're coming to the sway bar...

Basically beside visual control, to check sway bar you have to swing the car from side to side and observe the bushings...two indy shops said to me my sway bar is fully okay, but I'm starting to doubt...
too bad in our F15's we can't change just the bushings, but the whole sway bar...

Power flex makes the bushings

[seanegee]

Originally Posted by jab23

Bummer on the steering shaft experiment. Noise definitely more apparent on driver side. I was a passenger in my car recently and not nearly as noticeable. I think there is something to the sound being sent through the chassis. My mechanic suggested the same.

I’ll try to record my sound this weekend to see if we are all agonizing over the same thing. Now that it’s in my head, it’s 10 times worse!

Agreed, seems to travel through the car.

[seanegee]

Originally Posted by G0rdon

Yesterday I've visited one of my cousins, who is a mechanic since 25 years and has a really good "ear" to sounds in the cars. So we've started to drive on bumpy roads. After each ride we were changing seats to identify the side.
The results are that the sound is definitely audible on the driver side - on passenger side you can barely hear it (until yesterday I was pretty sure it can be heard it in whole interior).

I've asked him - "so, suspension or what?"... and he said...definitely suspension, as he is 99% confident it's a rubber clunk...I told him I've replaced almost everything in front suspension. And once again we're coming to the sway bar...

Basically beside visual control, to check sway bar you have to swing the car from side to side and observe the bushings...two indy shops said to me my sway bar is fully okay, but I'm starting to doubt...
too bad in our F15's we can't change just the bushings, but the whole sway bar...

I thought you'd been down that route already?

[G0rdon]

Originally Posted by seanegee

I thought you'd been down that route already?

Correct, the sway bar was inspected by two indy shops, and they said it's fully okay... but somehow I'm kinda afraid the bushings are simply worn out after 276k km...tomorrow I'm going to the dealer - SIB for a driver airbag - I'll ask if they had many problems with the sway bars.

On 5th of September I'm having also a visit in the indy shop (basically the best in my region), we'll be driving with the owner and mechanic to check that noise.

At this moment basically the two parts I did not replace are top wishbones (the A-ones) and the sway bar itself...

Anybody ever replaced the "A" top wishbones?

[seanegee]

There is a new thread on here.....named Front thrust arm bushings

Seems interesting

[seanegee]

Ambient temperature seems to really impact this issue - another warm day today and the clunk, or just the ride overall so much "solid".
Why is that?

[G0rdon]

Originally Posted by seanegee

Ambient temperature seems to really impact this issue - another warm day today and the clunk, or just the ride overall so much "solid".
Why is that?

That's kinda true -the longer I drive, the clunk is less audible...but what could "heat up"? Oil in the dampers, grease in the joints?
Well, decided to carry on with the topic - this Friday going to the best indy shop in the region to drive with the owner and the mechanic to track that sound.
No matter what the result will be, I will also replace the upper control arms (top, A-wishbones), then I will have a complete front control arms refreshment...
I'll keep you guys posted on the effects...

[seanegee]

Originally Posted by G0rdon

That's kinda true -the longer I drive, the clunk is less audible...but what could "heat up"? Oil in the dampers, grease in the joints?
Well, decided to carry on with the topic - this Friday going to the best indy shop in the region to drive with the owner and the mechanic to track that sound.
No matter what the result will be, I will also replace the upper control arms (top, A-wishbones), then I will have a complete front control arms refreshment...
I'll keep you guys posted on the effects...

Thought we had lost you there Gordon, i eagerly await your updates like the soap opera this thread is.
Have you read the other thread i pointed out above?

[G0rdon]

Originally Posted by seanegee

Thought we had lost you there Gordon, i eagerly await your updates like the soap opera this thread is.
Have you read the other thread i pointed out above?

No no, still fighting .... :[
You mean the thrust arms topic? In my case it went for the first shot, but didn't changed nothing - they were in quite good condition in the final...

The reason why I've decided to pursue with the "A wishbones" is that those control arms are in my car since the factory (and I'm having now 277k km on the desk), where the lower and upper wishbones were replaced 3 times already...

Was yesterday also on a Vehicle Control Station (btw, here it's obligatory once per year), and I've asked the guy to check the sway bar and steering rack with "machinery" - he said they are solid as f**k... yhhh.

Well, let's see what the magicians from the indy shop will find...

[seanegee]

[QUOTE=G0rdon;31438530]No no, still fighting .... :[
You mean the thrust arms topic? In my case it went for the first shot, but didn't changed nothing - they were in quite good condition in the final...

The reason why I've decided to pursue with the "A wishbones" is that those control arms are in my car since the factory (and I'm having now 277k km on the desk), where the lower and upper wishbones were replaced 3 times already...

Was yesterday also on a Vehicle Control Station (btw, here it's obligatory once per year), and I've asked the guy to check the sway bar and steering rack with "machinery" - he said they are solid as f**k... yhhh.

Well, let's see what the magicians from the indy shop will find...

Awesome

So which parts in the diagram have you replaced so far and are 19 what you're about to do?

[G0rdon]

Yep,this Friday replacing #19 (top CA),as the #8 and #13 were replaced on the beginning (I've bought Lemforder every time).

[seanegee]

Originally Posted by G0rdon

Yep,this Friday replacing #19 (top CA),as the #8 and #13 were replaced on the beginning (I've bought Lemforder every time).

What have I missed???