540i knocking noise coming from front end.

[FJD]

Driving home last week monday my 540iA had a loud knocking noise coming from the front end of the car.

It was a very disctinct sound and I could also feel it through the car.The sound would pick up and slow down according to the speed I drove and when taking a corner even at very low speed it felt as if the entire front end could collapse(not that it would,it just felt pretty hectic).

It felt similiar to a front wheel car that has shot cv joints.

Could this be something on my suspension ? Brakes ? Wheel Bearings ?

 

[zaleonardz]

possibly a wheel bearing.

If you let go of the steering wheel, does the car go straight, and has there been any change in the handling. Could be a collapsed shock as well..

 

[FJD]

It does not go to one side and the steering still feels the same.

Funny thing is that I took it for a short drive on saturday morning and the noise/knock was gone.

 

[Raybimmer]

Dealer may ask R500 per hour , so here is my 5 cents worth :
Leonard , would wheel bearing not be a constant drone type noise increasing when turning and the outer wheel then carries a higher load ? ( Turn left and right hand size bearing is noisy , turn right and left hand bearing is noisy )
Jack one side up till front wheel off ground . Grip wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock position and try to move wheel in or out . Play here is ball joint , tie rod end , rack end , steering rack or shock absorber mounting .
Grip wheel at 6 and 12 o'clock and try to move wheel in or out . Play here would indicate wheel bearing wear .
Repeat for other side .
Turn steering to left or right lock and look for any foreign object , oil on shocks or broken component .
Brakes - dust shield may crack/break , making noise over bumps , but doubt this would cause knocking as described .
Good luck

 

[FJD]

I have checked all of this and everything is in order.

I have had a few weird problems with my car in the last 6 months but this is something even stranger than all the other problems I have had.

Love this car but it's starting to give me way to much problems. :banghead:

Guess I will have to sell it and get myself a subie.

....... (waiting for the flames and bitch slaps lol )

:whip:

 

[rick540]

What you describe sounds like loose wheel bolts, but I'm sure you have checked that?

 

[Jandre]

I have checked all of this and everything is in order.

I have had a few weird problems with my car in the last 6 months but this is something even stranger than all the other problems I have had.

Love this car but it's starting to give me way to much problems. :banghead:

Guess I will have to sell it and get myself a subie.

....... (waiting for the flames and bitch slaps lol )

:whip:

No bitch slaps mate. Good luck with the depreciation on the Scooby though. Been there, done that, got the T shirt.

 

[STREETRACER]

sounds to me like you have a problem with your front diff mounting! go in to a slight corner and accelerate and while you are still in the bend take your foot of the accelerator and check if the rear end feels loose!

 

[FJD]

OKay guys,so I took my car in to have new tyres fitted this morning and have wheel allignment done.

The guy doing the allignment then told me that my left front wheel was laying more to one side (to the inside) than it should.

So he told me the the left front shock has moved and was not situated correctly,he then told me that I would have to take it to bmw to have it fixed ? They apparently have some tool that they place on the shock tower that will move it into the correct position.Any thoughts on this ?

We also had a proper look at all the components underneath the car (all the vissible parts anyway) and everything seems to be fine.

 

[Matt Q]

Depending on how fast the knocking was.. it could also have been fan clutch or a water pipe connecting with one of the rotating bits on your fan belt

was it only when you move or also when you idle?

 

[FJD]

Depending on how fast the knocking was.. it could also have been fan clutch or a water pipe connecting with one of the rotating bits on your fan belt

was it only when you move or also when you idle?

Only while the car was moving and only at low speeds.At about 50kmh/ph + there was no noise or knocking.

But I'm now starting to think that the issue with the shock might have been the problem.

But how do I get it fixed now ? Bmw is going to charge me way more than I can afford.

 

[Matt Q]

Another thing... did you hit anyone with the car?

Was there a smell of burning flesh?

Was the knocking sound accompanied by a screaming coming from under the car?

 

[FJD]

Another thing... did you hit anyone with the car?

Was there a smell of burning flesh?

Was the knocking sound accompanied by a screaming coming from under the car?

lol unfortunately not....if only it was then at least the car problem would have been gone.

 

[FJD]

Myself and my dad fittend new shocks to my bimmer this weekend (front shocks only) and I must say,the old shocks were completely moer toe.

Fitted gabriel gas riders (got them for R400 each from someone who knows someone who knows someone).

All the other components seem to be in good condition,will be taking the car in for wheel alligment this weekend and hopefully the new shocks would have sorter out all the issues it had.