Diagnose my E36 suspension problem...

[pstruck]

Have been experiencing a 'knock' back though the steering when dabbing the brakes for a while. It seems to be getting worse, so I thought I'd at least check it wasn't something silly like loose wheel nuts!

With the car sat on level ground I applied appropriate pressure to the wheel wrench on the nearside front wheel nuts, to notice that the whole wheel/suspension assembly seemed to rock backward and forward, accompanied by the by now familiar knocking noise.

What is the problem here? It has been previously suggested that it may be bushes, but they must be seriously knackered if that is the case! (also experience some tramlining)

[Gad-Westy]

pstruck said:

Have been experiencing a 'knock' back though the steering when dabbing the brakes for a while. It seems to be getting worse, so I thought I'd at least check it wasn't something silly like loose wheel nuts!

With the car sat on level ground I applied appropriate pressure to the wheel wrench on the nearside front wheel nuts, to notice that the whole wheel/suspension assembly seemed to rock backward and forward, accompanied by the by now familiar knocking noise.

What is the problem here? It has been previously suggested that it may be bushes, but they must be seriously knackered if that is the case! (also experience some tramlining)

Sounds very much like knackered bushes or ball joints. Bushes should be cheap to sort out. Lower balljoints are little pricier as they tend to involve replacing the lower wishbones as well. Not ludicrously expensive though. If its that bad you should really get it sorted quickly.

[pstruck]

Gad-Westy said:

If its that bad you should really get it sorted quickly.

Yes, my thoughts exactly now that I've seen the amount of movement.

[Talkwrench]

Almost definitely rear wishbone bushes. You can buy replacement wishbones with the bushes already installed. More expensive to buy but a doddle to fit.
Alternatively, just replace the bushes (they require a press to push the old ones out and new ones in). I'd replace them with M3 bushes. A very worthwhile upgrade.

[Pork_n_Beem]

Also rounds like the lower wishbone ball joint which is attached using rubber, very poor... A good upgrade is to fit E30 wishbones that don't use any rubber.

Anyway its pretty easy to spot

[pstruck]

Update:

It was indeed the front lower rear wishbone bushes and they were seriously shot. Replaced now with M3 items and the damage was about seventy quid fitted. Car now feels a whole lot better.