Front End Rattle... Fixed!

[JupiterBMW]

I remember reading/discussing this with someone in another thread, but I can't find it now. After some searching, I didn't find a dedicated thread, so I felt it deserved one.

I had a rattle/clunk while driving over small bumps, into and out of driveways/parking lots, etc. Sometimes it was one clunk, other times it was a rattle. Mine seemed to start on the passenger side, but sometimes you couldn't tell for sure.

After some searching, I felt that sway bar end links were the most likely culprit (and cheap at only $110 for the pair!).

Tonight I swapped them out with a set that I picked up from the dealer. The part number has been changed, so I assume an updated part.

Anyway, the fix was quick and easy, and the rattle is GONE! I'm so happy. I've never had such an annoying issue be fixed so inexpensively on a BMW!

[RichardH]

Great news
I have the same issue. Will give this a try

[P1]

Nice work mate! Any more pics of your garage floor?

[joe_planet]

man the old ones look really worn out, good to know thanks!

[smackdownM]

Dealer did that on mine too. Only 1 side though. They call it a "swing support" Part # 37116859653

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by P1et

Nice work mate! Any more pics of your garage floor?

Here's a few shortly after I finished it.









One more for good measure...

[mitch808]

Damn, that is exactly what I'm looking forward to if I can convince my wife to move out of our condo!

[Bklynjoker]

Is there a way you tested them for play? Like joints you can hold the tire and check for movement.

Is there something I can do to check for play on end links? I'm feeling/hearing alittle jiggle aswel and it's been driving me nuts.

[JupiterBMW]

Not really. Once I had the passenger side lifted and the wheel off, I noticed the top ball joint of the end link felt a little loose. I was tapping them with a dead blow hammer and that one gave a little metallic clunk sound when I hit it. It was very little, not nearly as much as the noise of been hearing had suggested. It gave me hope and after changing it, the noise was gone!

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by mitch808

Damn, that is exactly what I'm looking forward to if I can convince my wife to move out of our condo!

Do it. We only have a 2 car garage but it's still great. I'm actually sold my Dinan 3 in that pic, so the X gets the garage all to herself now. But either way, having a nice space to work on vehicles is awesome.

[3X3=5]

Mitch808 - a little OT, but what condo building are you in? I'm in Seattle too, having recently moved from a downtown condo (Meridian on Pike St) to West Seattle. Having a garage is nice, but giving up condo life was an adjustment. Of course, now I don't have to deal with downtown traffic as much either so I don't hate driving as much which is also a plus.

And re: sway bar end links, mine is at the dealer getting this (and a host of other items) done right now. Apparently very common issue.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by 3X3=5

Mitch808 - a little OT, but what condo building are you in? I'm in Seattle too, having recently moved from a downtown condo (Meridian on Pike St) to West Seattle. Having a garage is nice, but giving up condo life was an adjustment. Of course, now I don't have to deal with downtown traffic as much either so I don't hate driving as much which is also a plus.

And re: sway bar end links, mine is at the dealer getting this (and a host of other items) done right now. Apparently very common issue.

Dang, I was just in Seattle (my ship in the shipyard) for almost a month! Would've been great to meet up with some of you guys!

Yeah, it does seem to be common. The fact that the part number changed two times indicates to me that BMW updated and revised the parts, so hopefully I won't have to do it again.