MPHAS Clunking when turning?

[iiNNeX]

Hey guys,

I recently had a used MPHAS kit installed on my M4CP. The kit was off a 2020 M4 that had done around 4000 miles, the owner has switched to Ohlins R/T and did me a good deal.

Here is a picture of it, although as far as I can tell it is the complete thing.



I had a professional installation done at a M car specialist nearby, followed by full alignment.


The issue I have is, that when the car is stationary or moving very slowly (5mph) and I turn left or right, especially lock to lock, it clunks. Almost like a popping noise. It's not metallic and definitely not very loud outside the car, but can be easily heard inside.

The car went back to the specialist to investigate, and we ended up replacing the pinch bolts and had them torqued to a slightly higher setting, also new top mounts were installed just in case it was that (car is on 19,000 miles), but alas it's still the same.

I need help, because I love the way the car sits and rides now, just can't stand the bloody clunk, it was silent before



Thanks in advance!

[dizz81]

I can't add anything to this thread as far as the clunking goes.

BUT, I LOVE the color and drop.

[jfritz27]

Is it coil bind?

Has someone been able to lay eyes on the strut assembly while turning wheel with wheels loaded? You can do this with a relatively cheap borescope. Look for anything that appears to "stutter" with rotation and if it obviously correlates to the noise.

[iiNNeX]

Originally Posted by jfritz27

Is it coil bind?

Has someone been able to lay eyes on the strut assembly while turning the wheel with wheels loaded? You can do this with a relatively cheap borescope. Look for anything that appears to "stutter" with rotation and if it obviously correlates to the noise.

The shop spent 2 hours trying to troubleshoot it and did use a borescope while the car was on the ramp (loaded). They could not find anything obvious and have done quite a few of these in the past, that's what's strange about it.

They are a very well-known and reputable garage and I have no doubt in their workmanship, so it really must be something to do with the kit I guess. The thing is though the 2020 M4 it came off from, had no issues. And while my car is a bit older, I don't think there were any suspension-related changes that could be causing this.

The noise only comes from the fronts, other than complete removal and re-assembly i cannot think of anything else :/

[jfritz27]

Hmmmm, tough. These are so annoying. Not a suspension expert, but few random things I could think of:

- Has someone tried dousing the strut assembly in something like a teflon-based ("dry") lube and see if that quiets it? Be sure you get enough up near top of spring/underside of top mount

Perhaps lowering the car has induced a geometry change that is unmasking some other issue in the vicinity....

- Are endlinks OK (can try disconnecting at one end on each side and see if noise disappears)?
- While your symptoms aren't entirely typical of this, and probably a bit of a stretch, are you aware of the steering gear-related clunk? See this thread
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1637057

[iiNNeX]

Originally Posted by jfritz27

Hmmmm, tough. These are so annoying. Not a suspension expert, but few random things I could think of:

- Has someone tried dousing the strut assembly in something like a teflon-based ("dry") lube and see if that quiets it? Be sure you get enough up near top of spring/underside of top mount

Perhaps lowering the car has induced a geometry change that is unmasking some other issue in the vicinity....

- Are endlinks OK (can try disconnecting at one end on each side and see if noise disappears)?
- While your symptoms aren't entirely typical of this, and probably a bit of a stretch, are you aware of the steering gear-related clunk? See this thread
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1637057

The noise that we can hear sounds like a rubber on metal popping noise, having spoken to the garage at large earlier today they believe its to do with the ride height (as I have it set lower than recommended spec by BMW).

The front springs have these rubber bands to stop metal on metal grinding and they are under the impression it's that. The only way to check is to raise the car up a bit and see if it goes away. The issue is, I've just paid for proper alignment and tracking, so I'd rather just live with this if it is indeed height-related. The car looks and handles perfectly for me.

As to your other point, I don't think the car has any issues mechanically speaking. At least none that we could see or feel. In its stock form it was flawless, not a knock or squeak in sight. What I don't understand is how the other M4 did not have this, yet the ride height it was running was identical.

I am probably making it out to be a bigger deal than it is in reality, but I was hoping an OEM HAS kit would have 0 downsides, given its price and the fact that it was developed for the car

[jfritz27]

Hopefully nothing major then. I would just spray a bunch of lube up there (ideally in full droop) and if it temporarily quiets it then that would make sense.

[knightarmor]

If it's clunking it could be the steering rack. You changed the geometry of things down there when you lowered it. Many people had this issue, there is a nut/bolt you have to tighten or loosen depending on what you're trying to do. Do a search and you'll find it.
I personally do not/did not have this issue but I'm lowered on MPHAS for several years without issue. It does not happen to every F80.

I just remembered the title of the thread and Googled it! Down below!
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1637057

[horsepower_and_hounds]

If i remember right that thread accomplished nothing other than shining a light on the fact it was a DIY gone wrong.

[iiNNeX]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

If it's clunking it could be the steering rack. You changed the geometry of things down there when you lowered it. Many people had this issue, there is a nut/bolt you have to tighten or loosen depending on what you're trying to do. Do a search and you'll find it.
I personally do not/did not have this issue but I'm lowered on MPHAS for several years without issue. It does not happen to every F80.

I just remembered the title of the thread and Googled it! Down below!
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1637057

Hey man, thanks for linking that.

I don't think it's relevant for me though as I do not have clunking going over speed bumps/imperfections, I get it when just sitting still and rotating the steering wheel lock to lock, and it's more of a thump/rubber on metal type of noise.

Perhaps I ll do a recording and post it on here for clarification.

[Wanted_M]

See below, was #8 installed with your MPHAS?
I had same noise while parked and it creaked and popped, did some research and realized the shop didn't install the rubber isolators and was metal to metal contact. Even if it was installed, inspected them as the rubber will crack over time.

Hope this helps.

[TouringM3]

does the noise only happen when turning, or is it also when you go to a stop from a slow speed / go over a curb cut?

I had a small clunk noise, and it was a loose tension strut nut:
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...36&postcount=7

[deli333]

i second tension strut nut or one of the arms. often overlooked

[iiNNeX]

Originally Posted by Wanted_M

See below, was #8 installed with your MPHAS?
I had same noise while parked and it creaked and popped, did some research and realized the shop didn't install the rubber isolators and was metal to metal contact. Even if it was installed, inspected them as the rubber will crack over time.

Hope this helps.

Hey bud, pretty sure it's there but I will double-check this weekend.

Originally Posted by TouringM3

does the noise only happen when turning, or is it also when you go to a stop from a slow speed / go over a curb cut?

I had a small clunk noise, and it was a loose tension strut nut:
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...36&postcount=7

Originally Posted by deli333

i second tension strut nut or one of the arms. often overlooked

Only happens when turning lock to lock stationary or when moving super super slow, like 2-3mph and again when turning. If the steering wheel is straight there is no noise, and there was no noise before the kit was fitted. The kit is on super low miles and so is the car, so it must be something small but annoying to find...

On another note, I found this video:

Although my noise is not as mechanical/tinny and as loud as that. Ugh... what a pain

[knightarmor]

That's the strut nut mentioned above. Yours sounds like the steering gear.

[mapster37]

Hook up a good set of chassis ears to pinpoint the source of the noise u are hearing

[FrozenGT]

When I did my kit brand new I also did the new hardware kit which replaces all of the bolts and seals and rings with new hardware.

Also you're sitting below Bmw recommended ride height. Bmw recommends each wheel have a certain ride height associated with the chassis. There is a full BMW OEM spec install documentation that you should probably read.

[Jangridworks]

I was getting the same noise as well and found this thread but noticed there was no final answer. I was getting the same popping/clunking noise on slow turns especially on uneven roads. Turns out my top hat nut was loose. Tightened and noise is gone. Installed coilovers couple months back, guess the nut wasnt fully tight.

[Colinv6]

Originally Posted by Jangridworks

I was getting the same noise as well and found this thread but noticed there was no final answer. I was getting the same popping/clunking noise on slow turns especially on uneven roads. Turns out my top hat nut was loose. Tightened and noise is gone. Installed coilovers couple months back, guess the nut wasnt fully tight.

I think mine is doing this now too. Installed a year ago at BMW, I’ve only noticed the noise since I put cup2 on so I wonder js the extra friction when turning at very slow speeds making it worse.

Is it an easy nip up? Is there a torque level?