I just cant figure this out Brainstorm with me guys

[eunit3357]

OK i have checked my struts/ mounts, rebuilt calibers, new brakes ( doing anyways) and changed tie rods. I cant figure out what this thud noise is. When i get on the brakes and let off it get a thud and the steering wheel thuds with it ( feels loose). I dont know what else it could be. It doesn;t do it when im stopped, but even when im only moving like 5 mph. Guys i don't want to take it to shop down here. I really dont.. plus dont trust them they might take me to the house. I guess its something loose moving. Could it be drive train related. Would it affect the steering wheel feel? Help guys. Im so downed and dont know if its safe enough to drive back to pittsburgh to someone i trust.

[GardenBeast]

i really dont think drive train would affect steering... not to the point of feeling it. have you checked motor mounts? might be a long shot... but... who knows? you've checked everything else. maybe it's the engine itself shifting?


or i'm crazy.

[eunit3357]

DUde!!!!!!!! Great minds think a like i was just in the shower getting ready to go to a movie with the wife and thought Motor mounts! Everyone please ring off symptoms of motor mount failure. Like so i can cross check i think you might be right garden beast i dont know why i didn;t think about it earlier. Nice camera by the way.

[GardenBeast]

haha. thanks.

the motor mount thing might just be crazy enough... i mean.... if you've checked everything out..

[Nicklle36]

Thud could be the lower steering column joint.
Also if it's more like a grrr kinda noise and even does it at low speed, it could be a front swaybar endlink.

Hrrm... just read your description again. It sounds like brakes. Have you tried it stopped but in a hill facing down? I had such a problem once and it was a brake fluid leak that was caused by one of the hoses not tightened enough. The car would do a kind of thud noise every half a min maybe when pressure was not enough to hold the wheel.

[eunit3357]

Its not with pressure on. Its when i am driving at any speed and hit the brakes then let go. Like a quick hit on the pedal then when i let off i get the noise. Like something is loose moving. I mean did tie rods, control arms, just did new pads rotors. Struts good, mounts seem well. Im thinking motor mounts now. Ill take a look at them tommarow in the light. I have checked them recently and they seemed fine i just am out of ideas. Im taking any opinions and any tests i can do to narrow it down.

[eunit3357]

I Just started really noticing it when i did the tie rods. I have checked double, and triple checked my work. Im guessing it just became more noticeable with the new stiffer parts.

[GardenBeast]

possibly, yeah. or you were like... WHAT THE HELL IS STILL WRONG!?!?!

[eunit3357]

im frustrated ya that a bimmerforums correct way to put it.

[eunit3357]

lower steering column joint?

[Wonderi3oy]

do you get a thud when you press the clutch too? (if you have a stick). if that is the case then i would +1 to gardenbeast's post about motor mounts. if you got an automatic then i am of no help :(

[Jeffrie]

Engine mounts are easy to check, just look for clean spots on the top of your engine that match up perfectly with the insulation in the hood.
Could also be your Rack & Pinion but if it were you'd also have a problem keeping it streight driving down the hyway.
Could also be your control arm bushings and or an inner or outer balljoint.

[eunit3357]

dont get it when clutch is pushed. Balljoints all good.

[Bluebimma]

I wouldve said its the balljoints but since theyre good....are you sure its not the strut mount bearings?

[eunit3357]

They looked all right. I mean i know my struts shocks need changed. Not to a point they are blown but they are on the list when i get the money and time. I just find it weird it started right after the tie rod replacement. I was just out driving around im thinking it is brake related. Could it have something to do with master cylinder or the mechanics behind the brakes. I rebuilt calipers and all of that so its not there.

[eunit3357]

The new pads rotors feel great though!:buttrock:):alright So its not all bad and the new tie rods have my steering tight as all.

[eunit3357]

Bump before i leave for work.