Thump/Thud while braking - failing driveshaft/transmission?

[bmwx5er]

My recently-bought 2012 X5 50i makes a thud/thump when braking suddenly or reasonably hard. It is noticeable especially when the car comes to a complete stop, and then you accelerate a bit and press the brakes again immediately. Also noticeable when you brake suddenly (at any speed). I'd describe the sound as if a bowling ball in the trunk hit the rear seats.

The indy shop that did the PPI noted this in their inspection. When I took it to the dealer, they could not reproduce it (and neither could I). I have driven the vehicle enough to be able to repro it reliably now. I again took it to the dealership last week, and I demonstrated the thump to the foreman. He dismissed it saying that this was normal for E70s and E53s (something about too much torque on the driveshaft..), but still wanted to rule out suspension/bushings. As it seems to be common practice with many BMW dealers, their find was that everything was "normal" - no leaks/cracks in bushings and all alignment components were "tight". Apparently, they drove a couple of other "similar" vehicles, and found that they exhibited a thump too, when braking sometimes (see attached work order)

Does anyone else have a similar experience? is this normal? Or could this be a sign of impending failure of something major, like a driveshaft or transmission? this got me worried:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=733249

I'm taking the car back again in a couple of days. What should I ask them to inspect?

[BMWNTHZST]

I have noticed a clunk sound when braking (not all the time) usually when driving slow (as in stop and go traffic). To me the sound is the brake pad moving in the calliper. At this point the noise is nothing like a bowling ball thud.

I read something on here about driveshaft recalls:
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=995198
Perhaps this is your isssue?

[Draper]

I had this same issue awhile back.

Have them look at the thrust arm bushings. Mine were both replaced under warranty, and the issue totally disappeared for me.

[MonteCarloX5///M]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

My recently-bought 2012 X5 50i makes a thud/thump when braking suddenly or reasonably hard. It is noticeable especially when the car comes to a complete stop, and then you accelerate a bit and press the brakes again immediately. Also noticeable when you brake suddenly (at any speed). I'd describe the sound as if a bowling ball in the trunk hit the rear seats.

The indy shop that did the PPI noted this in their inspection. When I took it to the dealer, they could not reproduce it (and neither could I). I have driven the vehicle enough to be able to repro it reliably now. I again took it to the dealership last week, and I demonstrated the thump to the foreman. He dismissed it saying that this was normal for E70s and E53s (something about too much torque on the driveshaft..), but still wanted to rule out suspension/bushings. As it seems to be common practice with many BMW dealers, their find was that everything was "normal" - no leaks/cracks in bushings and all alignment components were "tight". Apparently, they drove a couple of other "similar" vehicles, and found that they exhibited a thump too, when braking sometimes (see attached work order)

Does anyone else have a similar experience? is this normal? Or could this be a sign of impending failure of something major, like a driveshaft or transmission? this got me worried:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=733249

I'm taking the car back again in a couple of days. What should I ask them to inspect?

I have this issue as well. I haven't fixed it just yet, but thanks to another member here, I think I know what is causing it. The sway bar end links are weird from factory and make an annoying metallic clunking noise. I think our brake thumping noise is also caused by the same thing. Get that check out and I think you'll be fine

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloX5///M

The sway bar end links are weird from factory and make an annoying metallic clunking noise. I think our brake thumping noise is also caused by the same thing. Get that check out and I think you'll be fine

This might be the noise I'm hearing. Next time it's at the dealer I will have them look at it.

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

I had this same issue awhile back.

Have them look at the thrust arm bushings. Mine were both replaced under warranty, and the issue totally disappeared for me.

the bmw dealership took a "look" at the bushings and claimed all was fine. today I took it back, and the foreman drove with me, and concluded everything was "normal" for this car. I'm taking my car to a different dealership.

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

I have noticed a clunk sound when braking (not all the time) usually when driving slow (as in stop and go traffic). To me the sound is the brake pad moving in the calliper. At this point the noise is nothing like a bowling ball thud.

I read something on here about driveshaft recalls:
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=995198
Perhaps this is your isssue?

mine is a 2012 x5 50i, and the recall was for 2011s, so I don't think the recall applies.

today, I thought I heard the same thud when I accelerated hard from stop. I don't know what to think anymore - taking it to another dealer in a couple of weeks, will update this thread.

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloX5///M

I have this issue as well. I haven't fixed it just yet, but thanks to another member here, I think I know what is causing it. The sway bar end links are weird from factory and make an annoying metallic clunking noise. I think our brake thumping noise is also caused by the same thing. Get that check out and I think you'll be fine

thanks - will have the dealer look at this.
do you hear the thumping noise all the time when you brake, or only when you brake hard? During gentle braking (like coasting to a stop), I hear no noise.

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

mine is a 2012 x5 50i, and the recall was for 2011s, so I don't think the recall applies.

today, I thought I heard the same thud when I accelerated hard from stop. I don't know what to think anymore - taking it to another dealer in a couple of weeks, will update this thread.

This is what my service advisor just told me...

"The recall has been performed on your vehicle. It calls for checking first. If technician feels that it requires replacement, then the driveshafts are replaced. In your case, it was checked and deemed to be ok at the time by the previous dealer.

Clunking noise when braking is possible worn control arm bushings. Best to road test and check with my shop foreman".

In short for me I still have the original front driveshaft (which could be causing the noise) or maybe worn control arms.

I will have both things looked at next time I take it in.

[MonteCarloX5///M]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

thanks - will have the dealer look at this.
do you hear the thumping noise all the time when you brake, or only when you brake hard? During gentle braking (like coasting to a stop), I hear no noise.

No, in fact I only hear it when getting on the brakes gently

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloX5///M

No, in fact I only hear it when getting on the brakes gently

Same with me!

[bmwx5er]

Update: took the car to different dealership, and they replaced both the front thrust arm bushings, and thump has disappeared. So no, it is not "normal" for these cars, as some incompetent stealerships might claim, and anyone facing this issue should insist on a fix.

[jiggz]

Pradeep - good to hear you had better success at BMW Seattle. That 'other' dealer in the Seattle area whom we shall not mention has been a disappointment to many of us over the years, including myself. Their service manager should take notice!

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Pradeep - good to hear you had better success at BMW Seattle. That 'other' dealer in the Seattle area whom we shall not mention has been a disappointment to many of us over the years, including myself. Their service manager should take notice!

Jeff, agreed. And thanks for the referral to BMW Seattle!

[s4nye]

I also had the clunking while braking and coming to a stop. I found out the hard way. Around 45 mph my front drive shaft broke. Towed to dealer and was covered under the extended warranty. Plus my oil pan that was damaged from the drive shaft.