325ix Suspension clunking

[sod]

The wife's 1990 325ix is making a clunking noise & it's getting worse. Sounds like the rear shock mounts, but this noise is coming from the front. (I also checked the rear shock mounts, which I replaced a few years back & they still look great)

I put the car in the air & tried to look & move stuff to find something loose, but so far only 1 tie rod end seems to look suspect.

I've linked a video of my manipulating that tie rod end. https://photos.app.*******/W5i9xLfRw7p53Gen8

Questions:

would that tie rod end be the source of a clunking noise?

Based on that video, does it need replacing either way? (I assume I'd replace the pair?).

Can anyone point me to what I should be prying on to locate my issue?

Perhaps I need to pop the dust covers & see if the top strut nuts could be loose?

Any other advise appreciated.

Thanks & have a good weekend!

Sod

[richardodn]

There are so many places that could be making a clunk, anything I say would be just a guess. What part of town are you in? I'm in the far west part of town, kind of near Bandemere and Red Rocks. I'd be happy to give it a quick look.

[sod]

Thanks Richard,

I'm right near 8th & Colorado.

Upon further inspection, it looks like the strut itself might be the culprit.

As the front right suspension is compressed there is a point where it looks & sounds like the strut "pops" as it moves past a point of resistance or obstruction. It makes this noise as the suspension is released as well.

I'm not seeing the same behavior on the driver's side, however, the driver's side suspension compresses lineally, as one would expect.

I've linked a video clip here: https://photos.app.*******/KJcD5PjFhB5PpXEu9

I'm having some trouble with this link? but it should be read "goo dot gl" instead of those asterisks.

It's hard to see it move, but you can clearly hear the popping noise.

I plan to take a closer look tonight, but so far I've been unable to see anything else (besides the strut) that seems to moving in conjunction with this noise.

Thanks again!

Robin

[sod]

Oh & can anyone recommend (link to) a strut socket that will fit a 325IX? (19mm)

Similar to this: BMW_Strut_Nut_Tighten_tool_03.jpg

I bought one 3 years ago when I rebuilt the front suspension, but the diameter is too large, so it won't clear the hole.

I think I may have resorted to using an impact wrench at the time which could be the reason that the strut has failed?

Thanks!

[richardodn]

That doesn't sound like the strut damper itself but something else in the assembly. You can see the spring make a little bounce when you hear the noise. Maybe a spring pad or strut bearing? As for a wrench, I use a pass-through ratchet design.

[T81Houston]

Clunk over bumps a lot of times can be a simple sway bar link. I just replaced my sway bar links, struts and springs. Ended up needing new front strut housings.. mine were destroyed. Best of luck! Hope you get it sorted out