Name that "clunk"

[Picatavi]

I'm a newbie owner of a gorgeous '92 525i, Calypso red. Got it a few months ago. The only thing wrong was rust on door corners and sunroof, and the notorious shimmy. Everything works. I had the rust taken care of body shop along with new sunroof seal and door trim. The car is a thing of beauty and rides like a dream. I've never been so in love with a car before.

I replaced the microfilter and have given it a good wax job. I don't plan on any mods; I want to keep it stock, but in great shape. The one thing I notice is that when I turn the wheel hard, like after backing out of a parking space, I hear a "clunk." Sounds like some kind of bushing is shot, and the clunk is from metal on metal. Receipts from previous owner show that tie rods were replaced recently.

What need's fixing, and about how much will it cost? Assume I get it fixed at a dealer. I'm up in Vermont and don't know of any indys. -Rich

[Paul in NZ]

shimmy and clunk=thrust arm bushing.Most of us replace the stanar bush with the bushing from an E32 750.

[BigKriss]

could be a few things, like the ball joints on the control arms and the swaybar links are rooted.

[genphreak]

On my previous E28 (same steering setup) this noise was the sway bar links. In my e34 its the callipers (I think) (it had me fooled as it sounds identical) except that I am yet to do my lower control arms. On any 2nd hand e34 w/o a definate history, thrust arms, lower control arms, rear dogbones, f+r sway bar links as well as the obligatory coolant, transmission, brake-fluid, power steering fluid, engine and diff oil are all necessary replacement items (not to metnion emissions pipes, a good look at the fuel injection system.. OMG the list, the list!)

GP

[Picatavi]

Welcome, but where's the pictures of your car?

Haven't gotten a good picture of her yet. Took this one after washing and waxing, but it was dark by then. Also not sure if I'm uploading properly. Let's see if this works...

[632 Regal]

The clunk is because the front end has got such a HUGE gap!

Just kidding?

Anyways the clunk, like Kris said is most likly the ball joints especially if it happens when reversing and tapping the brakes. Same if your creeping forward and jab the brakes "klunk".

[mzarifkar]

reminds me of an old saab i used to own, when going reverse and braking it would klunk, i suspected it were the calipers. It was funny becasue at first my frind thought i hit someone's car (in a parkinglot)