Strange clunking noise on 330d auto
Strange clunking noise on 330d auto
Author
Discussion

rooney1000

Original Poster:

128 posts

242 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Have a 03 330d auto that has done just over 100,000 miles.

Car normally drives as good as new but noticed the other day that when I am stationary, or moving at the lowest of low speeds, that there is a 'clunking / catching' noise coming from the left and right front wheels.

Its easy to reproduce the noise. If I start the car and leave in park and then turn the wheel, left or right, when I get to about 1/2 to 3/4 lock I get this little 'clunk'. Its at pretty much the same point all the time and once you have gone past it you don't get any more noise, turn the wheel back to the same point and you get the same noise.

It's almost as if something is catching / flicking against the wheel but have checked and there is nothing !

(note - did have the noise a few months ago. Booked car in for a full service and had tyres replaced (as low tread) and dealer said that noise could be because of worn trailarm bushes but couldn't confirm. They suggested swapping / replacing as they were worn / needed replacing so had them done.. All seemed fine for 3 x months but now problem has come back !)

oktapod

348 posts

211 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Are you on run-flats? If so, check your tyre pressures...

rooney1000

Original Poster:

128 posts

242 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
No - normal tyres.

Will check the pressure tonight though (just in case 1)

phumy

5,828 posts

267 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
oktapod said:
Are you on run-flats? If so, check your tyre pressures...
How would run-flats assist in making a clunk?

rooney1000

Original Poster:

128 posts

242 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
No - normal tyres.

Will check the pressure tonight though (just in case 1)

oktapod

348 posts

211 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Phumy - no idea, but it happened to us on our 2001 plate Mini Cooper. There basically wasn't enough air, and they had a creak that happened at low-ish speeds and only at a certain point in the turning circle, which sounded and felt like a clunk. We felt a bit stupid after realising it was just under-inflation, but this being our first (and penultimate) run-flat motor, we were too used to looking for the visible signs of under-inflation, which run-flats don't generally exhibit. Hence my suggestion.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

254 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
I would check the wishbone bushes.

Jack the car up, and then wiggle the wheel from side to side and also from top to bottom and see if there is any play.
These are notorious for going on the E46.

TheEnd

15,370 posts

218 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
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Binding springs / worn shock topmounts?

rooney1000

Original Poster:

128 posts

242 months

Friday 19th June 2009
quotequote all
What are dealers normally like with this ? If I take the car in for them to diagnose will they charge me a couple of hours for it (so £220 !!!) ?

bazking69

8,620 posts

220 months

Friday 19th June 2009
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Forget the dealers. Find a good IMT or BMW specialist and get them to have a quick look.

The_Doc

6,269 posts

250 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
I would check the wishbone bushes.

Jack the car up, and then wiggle the wheel from side to side and also from top to bottom and see if there is any play.
These are notorious for going on the E46.
agree.

easy to check, easy to fix. order a pair. find a local BMW independant to do it.