E38 noises...

E38 noises...

Author
Discussion

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

220 months

Friday 23rd March 2007
quotequote all
Just been out for a run in my E38, and when coming back from town, I noticed a new noise that I hadnt heard before.. It only happens at low speed (unless I cant hear it at high speed due to road noise etc) and its coming from the right front suspension area.

It sounds like a dull knocking from the inside, as I said, more prominent at low speeds, particularly in a car park. I thought initially it could be a bush, as I hear they can knock a bit when worn, so I was fairly unconcerned, except when I got back, It was even worse I think, so I got out and pushed the front right suspension down, thinking if it was a bush, It wouldt make a sound when stationary. It sounded fairly different from the outside, like a 'springy' metallic noise, and It was occuring with the suspension being pushed down, and on its way back up.

Theres nothing wrong with the cars suspension as far as I can see, and in sport mode it does as it should.
Has anyone on here experienced similar, or have any idea what it could be, or what to do to fix it?

Ps, I think it only happens when warm, after driving for a little while, rather than pulling away in the morning when cold..

Many thanks,
Gandhi

morningside

24,114 posts

235 months

Monday 26th March 2007
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Sound like the Ball Joint to me. Well thats what mine was anyhoo and failed the MOT on it.

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

220 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
thats another thing I had thought about, but its just very strange in that it doesn't happen all the time. Only towards the end of a long(ish) journey from what I can gather. Also, when it does happen, it makes the noise when you get out and push the corner down...

It was MOT'd 10 days ago too... but if it needs sorting, i'll happily get it done, any ideas of the cost?

morningside

24,114 posts

235 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
Local garage: (9/8/2006)
Part was £75
Labour £46

You may be able to get it cheaper as it was MOT time and just told them to 'just get it through whatever need doing'.

Edited by morningside on Monday 26th March 20:28

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

220 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
Thank you very much, Morningside.

Hopefully thats the problem, anyhow, time to have a look..

morningside

24,114 posts

235 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
Watch out going mad down the front end otherwise you will end up with the dreaded shimmy (wobble) problem common to 7 series (and others)

What one have you got?

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

220 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
yea I believe thats a fairly common problem (which I've had before) due to the trailing arms if I'm not mistaken.. At least its curable myself if this is the case. Its an E38 740i, not had it long, but I love it to bits for some reason.

When you say going mad up front..... enligten me!

Cheers for the help so far Morningside, much appreciated. I have been thinking though, about how it would make the knocking noise when the suspension is pushed down when stationary.. And why its only some of the time..

morningside

24,114 posts

235 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
Odd noises are hard to find. Best to find a good mate with a ramp and have a good listen. As for going mad...what I meant was: The car had NO problems what so ever until I asked the garage to checkout the brakes and ever since then it never seemed the same.

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

220 months

Monday 26th March 2007
quotequote all
yeh thats the intention, to have a poke around underneath it, the problem is, it doesn't do it all the time, let alone on demand!

I know what you mean about garages. Had my E30 in for new aftermarket brakes, should have been a couple of hundred in labour, 3 weeks later and the bill was a healthy grand... I could have ran the sod over.

Now the irritating cd issue to solve.. Electronics are definately not a forte of mine..