Sway Bar Link - Front - Symptoms

[ahlem]

Can I inquire on the source of the replacements?
I have a Racing Dynamics sway bar that needs the ends replaced and they are well over $100 for the two. Thanks.

[angusbn]

This is the sway bar link for my 89 535i (08/88 production). Ordered it off Auto Parts Onlince Canada. $38 Canadian.

[angusbn]

In retrospect I don't there is a issue with the sway bar link. Looked fine and no noticeable "shimmy or give" when I grabbed it so the "clunking" noise must be something else. I really didn't have a look under the car - I had only taken off the front left tire.

What else might cause this noise?

[Tiger]

The problem with this question is you never described what your problem is.

[angusbn]

A "clunking" noise on the left side when I hit a bump at lower speeds. Initially thought it was the sway bar link but it looks fine after all. Perhaps a ball joint? Thoughts?

[Tiger]

You can't just 'feel' the ball joints. The question you need to ask is whether you ever change it before? What have you changed?

Possible reasons for clunks:
Sway bar links
lower control arm
upper control arm
steering tie rods


Sway bar links when they are bad amplify the bang noise when you hit a pothole... sounds like you will lose your tooth fillings when you hit a good size.

[angusbn]

Thanks Tiger for all your assistance. I've only changed the tie road ends (ball joints) on the right side. Both sway bar links look good. I haven't yet checked any other steering or suspension parts on the left side. Will do so once the weather is nicer since I don't have access to a garage.

[e34.535i.sport]

Thanks Tiger for all your assistance. I've only changed the tie road ends (ball joints) on the right side. Both sway bar links look good. I haven't yet checked any other steering or suspension parts on the left side. Will do so once the weather is nicer since I don't have access to a garage.

Jacking up the car on one side and pulling on the sway link won't reveal anything as it's under a lot of pressure in that position...

It is likely to be sway link if it's lots of low clunks over rough surfaces, more likely to be control/thrust arm balljoints if it's a clunk over a speed bump/on braking/over a pothole.

There's a very simple test to check if any of the control/thrust arm balljoints are toast... Simply jack up the car, leaving the wheel on, and then try to wiggle the wheel with your hands at 9o'clock and 3o'clock. If there is a lot of play (like there was on mine!) then you will actually see the balljoint giving if you stick your head underneath and get someone to wiggle the wheel for you.

In total honesty I've done a front end rebuild suspension wise and still have a very low clunk noise on the passenger side when I hit a particularly harsh bump even at low speeds. I'm down to the last possibility which is something on the centre tie rod... Which I've ordered and dying to get it on! Sometimes these things are very difficult to pin down so the more information you can collect about when it happens/rough area it's coming from the better! Good luck!

[angusbn]

Thanks for the tip. I'll do so this weekend and report back. Will get the car up on ramps too if it's nice outside and have a real close look-see.

[paanta]

Jacking up the car on one side and pulling on the sway link won't reveal anything as it's under a lot of pressure in that position...

It is likely to be sway link if it's lots of low clunks over rough surfaces, more likely to be control/thrust arm balljoints if it's a clunk over a speed bump/on braking/over a pothole.

+1. It's easy to spot with the car on ramps, though. You'll be able to wiggle it enough to reveal a bad BJ. I replaced my recently and didn't torque the nut quite enough and it was rattling. Took me a while to realize "oh, yeah, jacking up one side loads the sway link, dummy."

If you need 'em, I've got a pair of brand new Meyle ones sitting in my garage right now, I'd sell for whatever they're worth.