Front End Issues

Ok, so I had this idiot replace my upper and lower control arms. Afterwards, my front end was about 4 inches too high and would pull to right extremely bad. My husband finally got it adjusted to right height and I could take it over 30 mph. Now I noticed a rattle on the driver's side but only when moving. It almost sounds like a card in a bike spoke. The passenger side also has a clunking pop on passenger side when you hit small bumps. Any advice would be appreciated. Had the thrust arm fall out on my Benz a few times so now I'm kinda paranoid when I have front end noises!

Also forgot to mention there is a slight vibration I can feel at about 45 mph. Thanks!

Check the wheel bearings and the sway bar end links.

take it to somoene that knows that they are doing. is there a BMW indie around you?

Also consider a good four wheel alignment. A GOOD, WELL EQUIPED shop will 'float' both front and rear wheels to remove all stress in bushes when making adjustments. They should also be able to spot incorrectly installed components.

Agreeing with Andy, take it to a shop, I can tell, and many others can tell you that there are worn out parts. The drivers side sounds like a wheel bearing possibly, hard to tell without actually listening, and the passengers maybe a bad ball joint or strut, again hard to tell with out being there. It doesn't sound like your equipped to take that on at home, no offence, so I would take it to a shop.

Thanks for the suggestions! Already have an alignment scheduled at the dealership and figured that would solve some of the problems. The rattling was from the sway bar end links, they're completely shot. Guess I know what will be replaced next!

dont pay any extra for a four wheel alignment over a 2 wheel alignment, there is nothing adjustable in the rear end on a stock E34

Thanks for that tip!

Originally Posted by Tlbaldwin3233

Thanks for the suggestions! Already have an alignment scheduled at the dealership and figured that would solve some of the problems. The rattling was from the sway bar end links, they're completely shot. Guess I know what will be replaced next!

An alignment will be useless until you replace all worn suspension/steering components. +1 on front end alignment only. The only thing adjustable on these E34s is toe.

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Also consider a good four wheel alignment. A GOOD, WELL EQUIPED shop will 'float' both front and rear wheels to remove all stress in bushes when making adjustments. They should also be able to spot incorrectly installed components.

1. No such thing as a four wheel alignment on an e34 unless a rear camber adjust kit has been installed. and even then there are no factory specs for that.

2. Wheels are not floated when making suspension adjustments on an E34. The suspension must be loaded. And by loaded I mean weighted down. 150 lb in each front seat, 150 lb in center of rear seat, 50 lb in the trunk/cargo area and a full tank of gass

Be careful when giving advice to know what you are talking about. And that you do not pay a shop to do what you suggest as you will be paying for work that was not done and what was done is incorrect.

By "float" I mean a second pair of tables that allow the rear suspension to flex and not rely on twisting the tyres. Nothing to do with the ammount of weight in the vehicle. The extra freedom of movement stops adjustments from stressing bushes, which then unflex as the vehicle is driven and changes the settings again.

Another often over-looked component on the front of these cars are the thrust bearing assemblies located at the top of the strut assemblies. By the book, they're only good for 90,000 miles. However, many end up seeing use well past that point, at the expense of front end issues.