Clunk noise from the front- help please

[Jamturbo]

Hi again. Update.
I had the zed checked yesterday and the report is that everything seemed OK. Top nuts and strut all checked out. Slight play on ns lower arm but not significant.
He did hear the clunk noise but only twice but sods law, I hear it quite often.
I hear it most when I am reversing up an incline. Does anyone have the experience of the clunk noise happening because of the engine mounts. Getting really frustrated with not knowing for sure. Thanks again.

 

[dhobbs]

Could the noise be coming from the rear of the car?
Diff mounts?
Guido bush?

Did your garage check the back of the car too?

Maybe whip the wheels off and check everything is a done up tight.

 

[Jamturbo]

dhobbs- do you think the noise would travel to sound like it is from the front?

 

[Jamturbo]

Will check the back when I get a chance

 

[dhobbs]

dhobbs- do you think the noise would travel to sound like it is from the front?

It's hard to say without experiencing it personally but if your garage has checked the front over and all is good, then can't hurt checking the rear.

Can you get a mate in the passenger seat to give a second opinion of the source?

Did they check the gearbox mounts too. Maybe change the way you start the car to see if that has an effect. In gear clutch in. Out of gear clutch out.

Clutching at straws to be honest but agree it can be frustrating

 

[Jamturbo]

All good tips to investigate. What I can say is that since fitting new suspension for all 4 corners, I didn't experience the clunk for a good 4 months plus and then it started to happen.

 

[dhobbs]

My thought is drive train related as you experience it when engaging reverse.
Doesn't rule out rear suspension as that gets extended when you reverse up hill ( when you release the handbrake and take up drive). What rear top mounts did you have fitted. Some aftermarket ones are know to knock.

 

[Rockhopper]

Can you tell us specifically which Suplex springs you fitted?

 

[Jamturbo]

Hi Rockhopper- can't recall code but I made sure that I got the m-sport equivalent.

 

[Jamturbo]

Hi dhobbs- I believe I used Lemforder top mounts.

What I wouldn't give to have my own lift, life would be so much easier to look around.

 

[dhobbs]

Hi dhobbs- I believe I used Lemforder top mounts.

What I wouldn't give to have my own lift, life would be so much easier to look around.

Get someone to sit in the boot when you reverse and listen for the noise, best to leave the boot open though

 

[Jamturbo]

Hi,
Read other posts where a SIB relating to the joint between prop and diff and re-lubing sorted their clunking noise. The symptoms are just like what I am experiencing. Apparently not a biggie job so do you think it is worth doing anyway.

 

[Jamturbo]

Quick update. I have had the car checked twice and finally something a bit off was found. The rear differential bush has split and there is play. It is being sorted on Thursday and I hope it is the culprit. My head tells me the sound is from the front but I guess sound travels. Regardless the bush needs to be replaced.

 

[Williams97]

Hi Jamturbo, unfortunately not related to your issue but saw you said you're from Bromley, I live there too and wondered where you take your car. I've been looking for a good garage to take the zed to for a while now!

 

[Jamturbo]

I use a garage called JAW Automotive. They specialise in BMW. They are honest, reasonably priced and located close to the Nugent Centre, Orpington.

 

[Roberltd2]

I had a "clunk" which only manifested itself when I turned into my drive over a low curb. In my case the cause was a broken anti roll bar drop link. That was on the back though.

 

[Jamturbo]

So, car went to the garage today to have the rear diff bush replaced as it had split. Mechanic also looked over the car again and could not find the cause of the clunk, everything looked ok. The sound only happens now and again and I annot replicate it when I want. My plan is to check the anti roll bush and lower control arms at some point. The advice I was given was to let the clunk manifest more rather than spend more money needlessly. Must say, it is really doing my head in.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

So, car went to the garage today to have the rear diff bush replaced as it had split. Mechanic also looked over the car again and could not find the cause of the clunk, everything looked ok. The sound only happens now and again and I annot replicate it when I want. My plan is to check the anti roll bush and lower control arms at some point. The advice I was given was to let the clunk manifest more rather than spend more money needlessly. Must say, it is really doing my head in.

I had something maybe similar, couldn't quite place. One of the reinforcement plate bolts was missing. Garages have a habit of not replacing those, they are single use...