PSA: To those who experience a clunking noise while braking/going over bumps

[MonteCarloX5///M]

For about a year, I would experience the most annoying clunking sound coming from the front end every time I went over low-speed bumps. I would also experience a similar clunk when I'd get on the brakes lightly. I searched the forum for months until I stumbled on a thread mentioning the same problem.

The OP did his due diligence and found the issue.

I took his advice and replaced the part and since then, both of those issues are gone. I have not experienced either issue once.

So, the fix?

The issue is the front sway bar end links. I paid 200 at the dealership for both sides and it took about 40 min to replace by my mechanic. It is definitely worth it.

The part numbers are:

L- 37116859653
R- 37116859654

Good luck.

[WallyM5]

Agreed, I have the same noise and would get it when turning on a hill, hitting a speed bump. I knew right away it was time end links. This is a very simple job for the DIYer and should take longer than 45 minutes.

I will take some picks and write something up when I change them this week.

OEM BMW end links - $ 58.50
Lemforder end links - 30.75

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-6-859-653-BOE

[JMD]

Wow! I'm hearing the exact same noise on a 2010 X5 4.8i Sport model that I bought with 70k miles on the clock. I now know what to point my Service Advisor to. Many thanks...

[JupiterBMW]

Yep, I did mine not long ago as well. Cost me $110 out the door for the parts (from my local dealer) and I swapped them out myself in about an hour (taking my time to clean wheel barrels and inside the wheel wells a bit).

Easy DIY and well worth the money for a quiet ride.

[MonteCarloX5///M]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Yep, I did mine not long ago as well. Cost me $110 out the door for the parts (from my local dealer) and I swapped them out myself in about an hour (taking my time to clean wheel barrels and inside the wheel wells a bit).

Easy DIY and well worth the money for a quiet ride.

Yeah for sure, in fact you were the one I was referencing Thanks again for your help

[P1]

How easy is this to do for someone who only has basic hand tools?

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloX5///M

Yeah for sure, in fact you were the one I was referencing Thanks again for your help

Ahh, yes! I forgot we had been PMing a bit about the end links. Glad you got them handled!

Originally Posted by P1et

How easy is this to do for someone who only has basic hand tools?

All you really need is a floor jack and stands (one jack stand will work seeing as how you can leave the X on the wheels and just lift one side at a time). As for tools, you need basic wrenches (18mm if my memory is correct) and a ratchet with Torx head sockets to hold the end link stud while you loosen the nut. That's basically it. I lubed up the two ends with some copper anti-seize and then used blue loctite on the threads, to ensure nothing gets loose.

Good luck.