BMW front suspension noise!!!!! mian dealer cant help!!!!!

[M5GT]

Someone has got to know what this is. I have a 2000 M5, i have had it for a couple of months but only this saturday did i do my first journy over 100mls. after about one hours driving the front of the car began to knock at very slow speeds on what was very small bumps and divots on the road. it was very similar to drop link noise and i could feel it on the steering. The reason i am bemused is that i sold a 1999 740i with the identical symptoms. BMW after 4 visits and changing every component of the front suspension, they admitted they could here it, they knew it had something to do with the car warming up, but could not find it. someone has to know as i find it amazing that the problem has now transmitted to my new baby. has anyone had the same symptoms or any idea. HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!

[road_rager]

you could try a diferent main dealer or indep?

[M5GT]

.

[n3il123]

I had a simillar problem on my e39 535 and after many visits to various main dealers they finally tracked it down to the front drop link, replaced that and all appears to have been resolved touch wood!

[belleair302]

Suspension bushes, or somehing around the steering arms. Otherwise look at bearings, then finally brakes and disks to see if something is loose.

[A S P]

I had the same on my e46 328. A slight knocking noise on small bumps and undulations, my indie identified it (correctly) as a worn drop link. Quite an inexpensive fix from what I remember however yours is bound to cost more.

[Talkwrench]

The most likely bet is the drop link and it is very easy to check. The suspension arm ball joints are unlikely to be worn unless the mileage is very high.
The only other thing I found on an M5 with similar symptoms was a loose locking ring at the top of the strut - the ring that locates the strut internals. This was a little loose and the shock absorber insert was moving up and down slightly.

[M5GT]

IM GONNA TRY THE DROP LINKS, I DID THIS ON THE 7 SERIES AND IT DIDNT WORK BUT THATS NOT TO SAY ITS NOT THEM ON THIS CAR THANKS I WILL LET YOU KNOW!!!!

[belleair302]

X5 droplinks are better replacements so I believe!

[M5GT]

Just fitted two new drop links and noticed that the antirollbar bushes were slightly loose, so when hot would probably be even worse so ive ordered some poly's off my mate. ill try that and post the results "if anyones interested!!"

[M5GT]

Droplinks didnt work.. i drove it after about 40 mins it started. i parked for an hour when i drove it again the knocking had gone until the car got warm again......aarrggghhhhhhh

[belleair302]

I fear that an hour or two with your local M specialist is due to hunt down this knocking. Are you sure that it is suspension related???

[8Tech]

Does it knock if you tap the brakes gently whilst doing about 10-20 mph? If so, it could be the front upper arm bushes or balljoint.

8Tech.

[BlackSpider]

The most common fault with M5 and E39 in general is the front lower arm brake compliance bushes.They are hydraulic filled and weep-they are replaced in pairs and take about 1.5 hours to do.
The lower arms are the ones that go from the bottom of the hub and forward to the front.

[CPCauto]

Almost certainly centre steering bar. Joints get hot from downpipes and start to seize up twhen stuck in traffic. I have done LOADS of them ,all on V8 and V12 E38 E39 cars. Need a good balljint splitter though.

[Dunk76]

You sure it's not an engine mount on the way out? This might be felt through the steering if the engine's knocking on the column or one of the arms due to excessive play.

I seem to remember the E39 M5 chews mounts in pretty short order.