Front suspension clunking - wishbone rear bushing? Which powerflex?

[JSz4]

I noticed yesterday a clunking coming from the front of my 2003 Z4 3.0i, seems to be more noticeable at slow speed when suspension is working.

I tightened the top braces which made no difference so jacked it up and couldn't see anything noticeable like a cracked spring but searched forum and read comments suggesting the rear bushing of the front wishbone. Is this likely the cause rather than anti-roll bar bushing, ball joint on the anti-roll bar link or top mount? Is there an easy way to tell?

If it is the wishbone rear bushing what Powerflex replacement do I need, 60mm or 66mm?
Do I need the 'FRONT WISHBONE REAR BUSH' or the 'FRONT WISHBONE REAR BUSH, ALUMINIUM OUTER'?

Any advice would be really appreciated!!!

Cheers Jeremy

 

[Chris_D]

I'm experiencing exactly the same aa you but suspect its the arb bushes which need replacing. I'll be doing those first and if it persists then i'll start cancelling out other things...keep us posted of your own developments...

 

[Anonymous]

Whole wishbone is not expensive,

 

[JSz4]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5pvj8k3x15fjsz/image2.jpeg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/op66vsf34hvwr79/image1.jpeg?dl=0

This is what the anti-roll bar bushes look like when the car is jacked up on one side and then the other with the wheel off so the anti-roll bar is under load. Do they look badly worn enough to cause a knocking? Car is on 94k

 

[Anonymous]

Have a look at the wishbone joints

 

[JSz4]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qa3x7tg4i9qggkw/111.jpeg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gxwhrhwmmk1n79b/222.jpeg?dl=0

Do the wishbone bushings look worn?

 

[MrPT]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5pvj8k3x15fjsz/image2.jpeg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/op66vsf34hvwr79/image1.jpeg?dl=0

This is what the anti-roll bar bushes look like when the car is jacked up on one side and then the other with the wheel off so the anti-roll bar is under load. Do they look badly worn enough to cause a knocking? Car is on 94k

Is it just a trick of the light or is there a gap between the bar and the bush? If so, they are pretty worn, yeah!

Mine clunk a bit but visually they still look ok.

 

[JSz4]

Yes definitely a gap between the bar and the bush but it is jacked up on that side so maybe exaggerates it? I've ordered replacements but not convinced that's causing knocking.

Went for short drive today, there's no play in the steering or handling/braking issues and knocking isn't necessarily when suspension is absorbing bumps, does sound significant though, could it be engine mounts?

 

[MrPT]

If you jack up the car, grab one of the front wheels and give it a decent shove backwards and forwards, can you hear anything?

 

[JSz4]

No, tried that and no movement or noise

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Tried the drop links? They're pretty cheap to replace.

 

[JSz4]

Thanks for the advice.. was the drop links which is odd as they weren't replaced that long ago.

I also replaced the anti roll bar bushes with powerflex ones as they were very worn and quite a noticeable difference.

Cheers guys

 

[Scooba_Steve]

At 94k if the arms are original look to replace them, they will be past best.