Knocking front end - 318is

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max_crox
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Warwickshire Drives: VW Polo Coupe S

Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:44 pm

Can anyone help identify whats causing it.

Its a knocking you can only hear at low speeds its coming from the front of the car and you can feel it though your feet on the floor/Pedals.

I pretty sure it suspension related at you can hear it when going over ridges in the road and it can be heard when going backward to forward. It doesn't seem effect the handling and there is no play in the suspension items when the car is in the air.

It does seem to be the case that when the car has been in the air with the suspension fully extended the knocking stops but comes back after 50 or so miles.

Items replaced:
Engine Mounts - Gen BMW
ARB D Bushes - Gen BMW
Springs - Eibach
Top Mounts - Gen BMW

I believe both front arms or ball joints have been replaced but I don't think with Gen BMW items.

The garage says there is no movement any where and it could perhaps be the shocks. These are Boge Turbos and have been replaced last year some time.

The only thing I can think of is to replace the front arms, Lolly Pop bushes, drop links and shocks. That would mean the whole of the front suspension would have been replaced.

You guys got any advice where to look next?

Cheers,
Mark...
Last edited by max_crox on Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:01 pm, edited 5 times in total.
aj_mckay
E30 Zone Squatter
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Location: Winchester

Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:27 pm

Check the top mounts are properly done up. Also worth checking front ARB links.
max_crox
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Warwickshire Drives: VW Polo Coupe S

Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:14 pm

Top mounts all at correct torques and ARB links look ok... If they were worn I would have thought it would be a bit wolloy and I didn't think I would beable to feel the knocking though my feet.

But I'll definitely have another look.. I think they are easy to change anyway :)

Anything else?
e30-EVN
Old Skooler
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Location: S.Wales

Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:33 pm

I'd check your lolipop bushes mate tbh if you can feel it knocking through your feet, while your there it would be worth your while fitting m3 excentric ones, this will sharpen up the feel of the front end 8)

Knackered bottom ball joint will be felt at your feet also!
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
max_crox
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Warwickshire Drives: VW Polo Coupe S

Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:46 am

Cheers Guys..
I'll look at getting them replaced in the next couple of weeks.. Hopefully it sorts it :)
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