Loud clunk from front suspension - SOLVED

[jevansio]

Guys just thought I'd post this incase anyone has the same issue

Had a loud clunk which seemed t be related to being on full lock (ie when parking or getting on my drive).  Seemed to be play in inner/outer tie rod so we replaced but it didn't fix the noise.  Turned out one of the bolts holding the ARB had come loose (they go through the big metal panel under the engine).  We spent hours crowbarring different components (even the arb itself) and only discovered it by chance

Hope this helps someone

ta

Jay

[X5-D-Sport]

Well spotted & found...

When mine's up in the air next, I will take a peep at this one...

This sounds like one of these HUMAN ERROR issues...
Most cars are only as good as the last guy that fiddled with it !!!

[storminmike]

[quote="jevansio"]
Guys just thought I'd post this incase anyone has the same issue

Had a loud clunk which seemed t be related to being on full lock (ie when parking or getting on my drive).  Seemed to be play in inner/outer tie rod so we replaced but it didn't fix the noise.  Turned out one of the bolts holding the ARB had come loose (they go through the big metal panel under the engine).  We spent hours crowbarring different components (even the arb itself) and only discovered it by chance

Hope this helps someone

ta

Jay
[/quote]

This sounds familiar....hmmmm

On the wifes car we can when backing off the sloping drive with full lock on provoke a crack/clunk

Is this simliar to what you describe and how easy is it to get at this bolt....nowt else seemed sloppy despite crowbaring the wheels under the tyre when in the air. The car has no wobbles or tyre braking issues

[jevansio]

Cheers guys

I think its worked loose as I've had the car a couple of years now and this only started to make a noise a month ago

Its real easy to get at, don't even need it up in the air, there is a rather large metal sheet directly under the engine, a pair of bolts each side just where the ARB disappears under the car, 16mm spanner just reach under from the front or side, easy

[jevansio]

[quote="jevansio"]
Cheers guys

I think its worked loose as I've had the car a couple of years now and this only started to make a noise a month ago

Mike it sounds EXACTLY the same as my scenario as my drive slopes & twists the car too

Its real easy to get at, don't even need it up in the air, there is a rather large metal sheet directly under the engine, a pair of bolts each side just where the ARB disappears under the car, 16mm spanner just reach under from the front or side, easy
[/quote]

[storminmike]

[quote="jevansio"]
Cheers guys

I think its worked loose as I've had the car a couple of years now and this only started to make a noise a month ago

Its real easy to get at, don't even need it up in the air, there is a rather large metal sheet directly under the engine, a pair of bolts each side just where the ARB disappears under the car, 16mm spanner just reach under from the front or side, easy
[/quote]

So for the sake of scrabbling around ..and when the weather is nice I should be able to get the wheel off and see these 16mm bolts without taking anything else off?

[jevansio]

You won't even need to take the wheel off. In daylight look under with a 16mm spanner will take you 2 mins tops