That Damn Clunking Noise

[bmw328m52]

Hey all,

I have a turbo'd e36 328is with 221k miles. I went to tail of the dragon last year and after some hard driving I started experiencing a clunk on the front right side when turning the wheel at low speeds to the left. Below are some of things I've replaced or tried.

1) Installed Brand New HD Meyle control arms with poly bushings
2) Tie Rods are only about a year old
3) New poly swar bar bushings with new m3 end links
4) I have ISC coilovers and there was excessive play on the top hat of the right one. I sent it to ISC and they said it was fine but still replaced various components.

At the moment, I've completely disconnected the sway bar and the clunk is still there. The car does not make any noise with the front end jacked up and turning the steering wheel so I would think its load dependent. I'm going to try switching the coilovers and see if the clunk noise is transferred to the driver side. If not, I guess I just need to make sure everything is tight but I'm pissed I can't find this noise. :mad

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Sh*t is driving me nuts!!!

[blckstrm]

Did you check your motor mounts?

[bmw328m52]

Yea, motor mounts are fine and switching the coilovers had no effect. I then checked the power steering rack and its causing tons of vibration through both tie rod ends and a slight clunk. I'm assuming it gets worse when load is applied. I've replaced the entire front susp and everything is torqued to factory specs....

[lateracer]

I did a full suspension rebuild recently as well and got 2 mystery clunks. One wound up being a bolt that loosened after a few miles, the other was actually the brake rotor fastener...doesn't really sound like either of those would be your culprit, but maybe? Good luck

[bmw328m52]

I did a full suspension rebuild recently as well and got 2 mystery clunks. One wound up being a bolt that loosened after a few miles, the other was actually the brake rotor fastener...doesn't really sound like either of those would be your culprit, but maybe? Good luck

Hmmm I already gave the rotor a nice tug so I don't think its that. Also pulled on the wheel when attached to see if it was the wheel bearing but no luck. All bolts are tight on the subframe and susp components.


check the front subframe for cracking.

I'm going to check that again this weekend but all bolts on the subframe were tight after I preloaded it with the jack to relieve any pressure from the motor. If it was the subframe, I don't think the noise would be evident when only turning right but I could be wrong.

[bmw328m52]

I had a similar issue and I found out it was the subframe. I had AKG re-enforcements welded in and problem was gone...that was over 2 years ago.

Damn. Well I'd rather it be the subframe then the rack cuz I'd replace the lines, reservoir, and pump too. But now that I think about it, this problem occurred mid corner during my run on back of the dragon with hoosier slicks on a hot day :embarrasm. I'll report back tomorrow.

[bmw328m52]

Well I found the problem. The rallyroad engine mount arm has a hole where the motor mount bolts into but it is widened to fit various mounts. The locknut that was on the motor mount arm wasn't too loose but enough to cause a clunk . I gave it a quarter of a turn and the clunk is GONE! I checked this nut before but it looks like it needed a little more torque. Thank you all for the help on this! :buttrock

[lateracer]

Well I found the problem...I gave it a quarter of a turn and the clunk is GONE! I checked this nut before but it looks like it needed a little more torque.
These kinds of problems suck, but it's also nice when you're done, because you know you've gone back over pretty much every single bolt, fastener, ball joint, bushing and mount that can get loose.

[bmw328m52]

These kinds of problems suck, but it's also nice when you're done, because you know you've gone back over pretty much every single bolt, fastener, ball joint, bushing and mount that can get loose.

haha pretty much! Ended up with a front suspension overhaul thanks to the annoyance of the CLUNK. It also motivated me to do a rear subframe/suspension overhaul because of how much better the car felt..