Front stabilizer question

S

Swiftly

Elite
 Edinburgh
A quick question for any suspension experts, I have been having a strange intermittent knocking noise from my front end somewhere and also the zed doesn't seem to handle as good as it used to. The knocking only happens on crap surfaced undulating roads or cobbled surfaces. My zed was in at the dealers on Friday to get some other work done and I asked them to check the suspension out for any worn bushes, wishbones, link bars etc. I also got them to re torque the underneath braces while they were at it. They said they checked everything and everything looked okay, and as usual they couldn't reproduce the noise. :headbang:

Anyway, the zed is certainly a bit better having had the braces re torqued, but not perfect though :(

I decided to change my winter wheels and put on my 224's with summer rubber this afternoon. Whilst I had the front wheel off I noticed that the front rubber stabilizer mounting http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BU52&mospid=49303&btnr=31_0649&hg=31&fg=10 (part number 2) seemed to have quite a bit of free space, looked like its elliptical, not sure that is normal for the rubber or not when the car is jacked up?

Picture below shows the mount when the zed was jacked up!

DSC00196_zps210fb0da.jpg


I would have assumed that they should be a snug fit as once the car is lowered, and if worn would they this cause any knocking or handling issues?

I was also going to get the zed booked in for Hunter aligned next week which hopefully would help improve the handling, but don't want to waste my money if there are still worn suspension parts which need replacing.

If you guys tell me the mounting is okay, then I will book the zed in for 4 wheel alignment :)
 
Interested in the response to this as mine looks like that, but actually a bigger gap on the driver side... With the split in the bottom starting to spread and squeeze out a bit. Mine is due an inspection 2 in 1,400 miles so I'm assuming I'll need at least 2 new bushes fitted, which should start to push the labour costs up :cry:
 
My zed only has 33K on the clock, but the roads in Edinburgh are crap as all the money has gone on the tram project :headbang: , so have been expecting some worn suspension parts. Do you know if it is normal like in my photo for there to be a gap when the car is jacked up?
 
Check the front drop links & the suspension top mounts (much harder to spot)

I replaced these ARB bushes with poly flex ones... didn't notice any difference - replacing drop links & track rod ends tightened things up quite a bit more
 
Jembo said:
Check the front drop links & the suspension top mounts (much harder to spot)

I replaced these ARB bushes with poly flex ones... didn't notice any difference - replacing drop links & track rod ends tightened things up quite a bit more
Click to expand...

Drop links look okay, was the first thing I checked and know what to look for. The rest is well ........ I ain't no mechanic mate so rely on a good garage
 
Hi,
What's it look like when not on the jack? - when jacked up weight of the wheel,hub assembly and the spring pushing down tend to distort the bush. It doesn't look perished or split, if it goes back to being round when on the not on the jack I would say it's O.K.
Stuff.
 
stupot67 said:
Hi,
What's it look like when not on the jack? - when jacked up weight of the wheel,hub assembly and the spring pushing down tend to distort the bush. It doesn't look perished or split, if it goes back to being round when on the not on the jack I would say it's O.K.
Stuff.
Click to expand...

Can't really get a clear view when not on the jack unfortunately, however it isn't split or perished. I wasn't sure if the rubber would recover once off the jack. So I am going to take it that the garage checked it on Friday when it was up on the ramp and that it was ok.
 
I would believe the dealers even checked. Mine was MOT and serviced in december and was given a clean bill of health, since the my bushes have deteriorated so i decided to replace the lot.

I had a clicking knocking noise under light breaking and thought it was my pads moving in there carriers but it turned out to be my bushes.

When doing up your wheels bolts was there any movement with the wheel in the arch, my whole wheel would move back, also try kicking the front tyres which will replicate this. there should be any movement.
That antiroll bar bush is the only one I'm yet to replace as I don't fancy ploy bushing them and I'm having trouble finding the correct ones but least my knocking noise has gone.
 
No movement at all, grabbed the wheel and can't feel anything. I do get a slight knocking on drivers side when driving over a slight raised kerb into my car park, thought it might have been the link bar, but thats solid with no play in it.
 
Mine looked like that Nick only worse. And I was getting knocking noises??? Changed them the knocking went away not saying that was the solution. As I changed a few other things at the same time. I put Polly bushes on and have not looked back.
 
Swiftly said:
For you may be Mat, but this is me you're talking about :lol:
Click to expand...


If you can get some decent clearance under the front of the car, it's easy, it's the rear ARB bushes that are a nightmare to replace
 
They (ARB's) look knackered Swiftly. Shouldn't be a gap like that in the photos you provided.
Use the "How too section" .........Straight forward on the front end. :thumbsup:
 
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