Clunking problem

grkwolf20 · 07-27-2013, 03:30 PM

I was wondering if anyone could help with my clunking noise. I installed m3 control arms wishbones, tension arms all that( TRW kit) from ecs and shorter sway bar end links and after alignment I have a clunk noise on the front right.I can replicate the sound by pushing hard the car on the fender with my hands.Do you guys think that I didn't torque the nuts of the the arms and ball joints enough ( because my arms were tired by the time I did that side) or I need to re torque the links. Any input appreciated.

David1 · 07-29-2013, 01:23 PM

Why would you put shorter end links on? they are not intended for this set up and may be your problem.

grkwolf20 · 07-31-2013, 06:56 AM

Idk. I got them off a website that said that were invented for lowered vehicles.Fk is the brand.Also I have a play on the right wheel when I grab it at 3 and 9 o'clock and makes a knock that is coming from the steering rack where the inner tierod is screwed on. Also after the alignment my steering is off to the left do you thing that the play is associated to rookie that aligned my car?

ajsalida · 07-31-2013, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grkwolf20

Idk. I got them off a website that said that were invented for lowered vehicles.Fk is the brand.Also I have a play on the right wheel when I grab it at 3 and 9 o'clock and makes a knock that is coming from the steering rack where the inner tierod is screwed on. Also after the alignment my steering is off to the left do you thing that the play is associated to rookie that aligned my car?

Agree with previous poster, no need for shorter links. But you have several other problems as well. Tie rod is clearly loose or worn based on what you say. So no accurate alignment is possible until that is fixed (toe will be messed up). In addition based on poor results it is possible may other things were done wrong. Not to mention the too-short sway bar links may be interfering with everything.

grkwolf20 · 07-31-2013, 07:29 AM

Stock sway bar end links back on and the inner and outer tie rods are meyle hd brand new. That's why I am thinking bad alignment. The steering wheel makes the knock when turn from left to right while car is parked and engine running.

ajsalida · 07-31-2013, 07:40 AM

Properly tightened new inner/outer tie rods etc should not make noise or have any play under any circumstances, bad alignment or not. Check tightness on them and on everything else that was touched.

bhmax16 · 07-31-2013, 01:11 PM

Who installed the tie rods? The inner tie rods require a special tool to tighten them to the rack correctly. Your clunk sounds like an inner tie rod that is not screwed into the steering rack all of the way, or a defective part. Any play should have been detected by the alignment tech before performing the alignment, as checking the front end is always a mandatory preliminary task before aligning any vehicle. Also check to be sure the alignment tech properly tightened down the jam nut (if applicable) as some setups use a pinch bolt and sleeve setup instead of a jam nut, though same concern applies

grkwolf20 · 07-31-2013, 07:27 PM

I installed everything myself and to be honest I didn't have big enough wrench and I used a plumbers wrench. Did I mess it up? Is any way to get a pic of the special tool?

ajsalida · 07-31-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grkwolf20

I installed everything myself and to be honest I didn't have big enough wrench and I used a plumbers wrench. Did I mess it up? Is any way to get a pic of the special tool?

Not sure about a e90 but the special tool for e36 tie rods was like a thin flat bicycle head set wrench. I mean it was exactly that, you order it as a cheap bike wrench off eBay or whatever. Can't remember what size, same size as nuts on the inner tie rods obviously. There was also a big key washer that you had to get on right, then bend over a tab to lock it in, if you did that wrong, you'd never be able to tighten it right. Non reusable. Assume e90 is similar, maybe not.

grkwolf20 · 07-31-2013, 08:05 PM

E92 not like that.Just big wrench and tight.

07-27-2013, 03:30 PM	#1
grkwolf20 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 335i, X5m,530e Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (1)	I was wondering if anyone could help with my clunking noise. I installed m3 control arms wishbones, tension arms all that( TRW kit) from ecs and shorter sway bar end links and after alignment I have a clunk noise on the front right.I can replicate the sound by pushing hard the car on the fender with my hands.Do you guys think that I didn't torque the nuts of the the arms and ball joints enough ( because my arms were tired by the time I did that side) or I need to re torque the links. Any input appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-29-2013, 01:23 PM	#2
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Why would you put shorter end links on? they are not intended for this set up and may be your problem. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 06:56 AM	#3
grkwolf20 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 335i, X5m,530e Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (1)	Idk. I got them off a website that said that were invented for lowered vehicles.Fk is the brand.Also I have a play on the right wheel when I grab it at 3 and 9 o'clock and makes a knock that is coming from the steering rack where the inner tierod is screwed on. Also after the alignment my steering is off to the left do you thing that the play is associated to rookie that aligned my car?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 07:29 AM	#5
grkwolf20 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 335i, X5m,530e Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (1)	Stock sway bar end links back on and the inner and outer tie rods are meyle hd brand new. That's why I am thinking bad alignment. The steering wheel makes the knock when turn from left to right while car is parked and engine running.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 07:40 AM	#6
ajsalida Colonel 226 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 95 M3, 02 R1150GSA, 09 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA iTrader: (2)	Properly tightened new inner/outer tie rods etc should not make noise or have any play under any circumstances, bad alignment or not. Check tightness on them and on everything else that was touched.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 01:11 PM	#7
bhmax16 Lieutenant 164 Rep 401 Posts Drives: '22 M4, '23 CX-50 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Who installed the tie rods? The inner tie rods require a special tool to tighten them to the rack correctly. Your clunk sounds like an inner tie rod that is not screwed into the steering rack all of the way, or a defective part. Any play should have been detected by the alignment tech before performing the alignment, as checking the front end is always a mandatory preliminary task before aligning any vehicle. Also check to be sure the alignment tech properly tightened down the jam nut (if applicable) as some setups use a pinch bolt and sleeve setup instead of a jam nut, though same concern applies
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 07:27 PM	#8
grkwolf20 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 335i, X5m,530e Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (1)	I installed everything myself and to be honest I didn't have big enough wrench and I used a plumbers wrench. Did I mess it up? Is any way to get a pic of the special tool?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2013, 08:05 PM	#10
grkwolf20 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 335i, X5m,530e Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (1)	E92 not like that.Just big wrench and tight.
	Appreciate 0 Quote