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WillyWinship
10-14-2014, 09:22 PM
Hi All,

I need your help!

I have e46 323ci with the sport package, no additional suspension modifications.

Here are the symptoms:

1. Worn front tires (http://www.ebay.com/sch/6000/i.html?_nkw=tires) - inside edge only
2. The 3 and 9 test on wheel results in a small amount of movement and a slight clunk, clunk sound.

Here is what has been done:
1. New control arms and bushings (Meyle HD) about a year ago.
2. Replaced drivers side complete tie rod assembly as I concluded from an earlier investigation that there was some play when pressing side to side on the tire and the control arm ball joint looks good (the original really didn't show any signs of wear but, I already had installed the new one and was wondering if I would see wear on the other side).

Here is where I am at:
1. I have removed the passenger side tie rod assembly and have concluded that it is also perfectly functional with no signs of wear at either the inner or outer joints.

An observation:
1. When wiggling the wheel at 3 and 9 any movement of the tire on one side causes the tire on the other side to move also--along with the slight noise.

Questions:
1. Where do I go from here?
2. Should I replace the passenger side tie rod assembly (no idea of when these parts have been replaced--car has ~115k miles so they could even to original).

Thanks in advance!

Zodiacbw
10-15-2014, 10:05 PM
When was the car last aligned? Specs?

WillyWinship
10-15-2014, 11:58 PM
When was the car last aligned? Specs?


Decided to install the right side tie rod assembly just so that both sides are of the same vintage.

Since there is no movement in either the control arm nor the tie rods I agree that the nest step should be to get an alignment.

After much reading of forum posts I am wondering if my clunking noise is attributable to either a steering column guibo or a rack issue. Think I will start with the guibo.