Low speed clunking coming from left front side

[grabbou]

Hey,

This is sort of a classic thread with a front left clunking at slow speed. Happens only under 10 km/h when driving on a paved road.

Opening a new thread with a video, as I believe most threads out here point to replacing/re-tightening steering rack and/or re-torquing end links.

For reference, I did that in the past and it eliminated other clunking noises at low speeds. However, this particular one, has been there for a while now and seems to be independent from suspension components.

Car is 43 miles. I have recently replaced my suspension with KW V3. Everything was re-torqued. Unfortunately, that didn't fixed the clunking.

Unfortunately, my dealership doesn't have paved road around - it's only my driveway lol.

Before I take their mechanic for a ride to my house, I want to check with you if you recognise that sound and have any ideas where to look.

Could it be some sort of a loose shield under the car?

[Swifty0824]

Hello mate I kind of having the same noise.

Have you figured out what is wrong?

[jshahm]

it's called having coilovers haha.

seriously though, could simply be the sound of compression valving inherent in a double adjustable strut design, but i am not a suspension expert. do you have camber plates as well? that will only exacerbate NVH into the cabin

[grabbou]

Haha, yeah, ride on coilovers is quite noisy, but this sounds like something being loose.

No camber plates, used to have them on previous setup and they were generating a lot of annoying noise.

I have scheduled appointment next Monday at my dealership to look into it + replace some rubbers on the rear that are making noise while accelerating/braking. Will let you know.

I hope that some components just need replacement and the noise will go away.

[Swifty0824]

Originally Posted by grabbou

Haha, yeah, ride on coilovers is quite noisy, but this sounds like something being loose.

No camber plates, used to have them on previous setup and they were generating a lot of annoying noise.

I have scheduled appointment next Monday at my dealership to look into it + replace some rubbers on the rear that are making noise while accelerating/braking. Will let you know.

I hope that some components just need replacement and the noise will go away.

Please keep us updated - my local dealer is just a PITA to deal with so I'd prefer to tell them what is wrong

[pattymtb]

I have very similar noise, turned out it was my endlinks (mine are aftermarket) new ones in order... apparently stock endlinks fail early as well. Could also be something completely different to but that's just my $0.02

[Danlnyc88]

My honest opinion reach out to the guys at @deitymotorsports and see if they can help.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Check your coil over install...something is amiss. Are there camber plates installed also? If not and you have the stock top hats make sure the springs are seated correctly. Oh and I have never had end-links fail on my lowered cars...

[TheBreeze]

My money is on the center strut bolt.

[Nonopr01]

I had the same noise. Service center changed the two front struts and struts mounts.
BMW won't allow to only change one, I have no more information about that until I get my car back. has been there for more than 5 days now. They call me friday and told me I won't be getting my car due to this new rule from BMW NA.

[grabbou]

Originally Posted by horsepower_and_hounds

Check your coil over install...something is amiss. Are there camber plates installed also? If not and you have the stock top hats make sure the springs are seated correctly. Oh and I have never had end-links fail on my lowered cars...

No camber plates, KW V3 comes w/o them. I had camber plates before and they were making similar noise as well, I managed to get rid of that one by replacing my previous coilovers with KW.

I will suggest my dealership to look at strut mounts, center bolt as well while doing their diag. The car is with them at the moment.

[grabbou]

My dealership says it's the steering rack, interesting... that would be second replacement in the history of this car. Previos one was replaced 30/40kkm ago.

[Swifty0824]

Originally Posted by grabbou

My dealership says it's the steering rack, interesting... that would be second replacement in the history of this car. Previos one was replaced 30/40kkm ago.

Thank you for the update OP and it is interesting since you've done the re-tightening before...

I wonder if I should give the re-tightening a try before I drop the car to the dealership again.

[grabbou]

I haven't done any adjustments on the new steering rack yet. Will do that today and hope it fixes the problem.

My car is under warranty for next 2 years, will most likely drop it on original suspension in the future to get a brand new one.

[Swifty0824]

Originally Posted by grabbou

I haven't done any adjustments on the new steering rack yet. Will do that today and hope it fixes the problem.

My car is under warranty for next 2 years, will most likely drop it on original suspension in the future to get a brand new one.

Hopefully retighten it fix the problem mate, if so I'll do the same