left front/wheel side issue - United Bimmer Community

**mzbmw325i** · 09-24-2007, 09:10 PM

Ok, i now this will be repeating but i am starving and i want to get this concern out of the way.

The issue is on my 88 E30 325is. When i am driving slowly and going over uneven parts on the road, i can hear this clunk like noise coming from the front left wheel. When i drive on the freeway and need to come to a sudden stop i can feel the left wheel shaking when i apply the breaks and it feels like the breaking power on the left wheel is a tad weaker due to the shake.

is that a bad bearing, rotor, etc. let me know..and may the force be with you all

**RSF5** · 09-24-2007, 09:12 PM

Control arm. Or Control arm brushing.

Should be like 200 dollars... Do you DIY?

**mzbmw325i** · 09-24-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSF5

Control arm. Or Control arm brushing.

Should be like 200 dollars... Do you DIY?

i recently replaced both control arms, tie rods and front struts, got alignment too.

the sound is annoying, i can hear the clunking at slow speeds, once i am going fast on the freeway i dont since the road is even and all the other noise.

i have been reading the front bearing posts here and i am thinking it might be that, how can i be sure is the bearing, i removed the tire and moved the rotor but did not feel any play.

**RSF5** · 09-24-2007, 10:48 PM

Snap.... So you've check the rotor to make sure it isn't warped? other than that the only thing I could think of is wheel bearing.

Did you jack it up and spin the wheel?

**xsperf** · 09-24-2007, 11:01 PM

strut mounts?

EDIT: i see you replaced your struts, did you tighten them properly and seat them correctly?

**elsabor67** · 09-24-2007, 11:05 PM

Have you checked the rear subframe bushings? I used to have a clunking noise on my previous E30 and when I checked it thinking it was the front, turned out to be the rear bushings. Also look at the front struts to see if they are on good.

**straight6pwr** · 09-25-2007, 01:29 AM

another possibility (although its probably not likely): check the collar on the strut tube that holds the strut in place. if it come undone (ive heard of this before) it will clunk around pretty bad.

**mzbmw325i** · 09-25-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

strut mounts?

EDIT: i see you replaced your struts, did you tighten them properly and seat them correctly?

the mounts looked fine so i did not replace them, the rotor looked fine, not warpped, there is no play as far as i know.

if the strut is not seated properly or loose perhaps would that explain the shaking of the wheel when i slam on the breaks.

i mean coming from a high speed i can really feel the left wheel shaking, the right is just tight as a rock.

thanks for all the input everybody.

i am going to dismantle the left strut this weekend and see how the strut is seated.

**mzbmw325i** · 09-25-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsabor67

Have you checked the rear subframe bushings? I used to have a clunking noise on my previous E30 and when I checked it thinking it was the front, turned out to be the rear bushings. Also look at the front struts to see if they are on good.

i doubt is the rear bushings, i mean i can feel the shaking when breaking coming from the front left wheel, also the clunking is pretty noticable at low speed going over uneven pavement or pot holes.

i am leaning toward the strut's seating now, will chek on it . thank u

**mzbmw325i** · 09-25-2007, 09:24 PM

i fixed it..for now it looks like.

the bolt on the strut (that sits on top of the mount) wasn't tight enough, now there is no clunking or shaking when i hit the breaks, smooth as a ship. thanks everybody, that's why i like this community, cheers

witeshark · 09-25-2007, 09:39 PM

Oh that's great to hear!

**RSF5** · 09-25-2007, 10:31 PM

great man! hope it does awesome!

**elsabor67** · 09-25-2007, 11:39 PM

Happy for you man