Knocking Noise

[Laurenceb]

Hi, Just joined `the club` and have been reading with interest the various problems and fixes. There is some reference to knocking noises but I`m not really any the wiser, so here is the thing, I`ve got a 1999 323i touring and there is a knocking noise which happens intermittently, there doesn`t seem to be any pattern to it`s occurrence except it doesn`t happen when driving in a smooth straight line. I have had all the undercarriage inspected visually and nothing looks amiss, I had the drop links replaced as many people said that was probably the cause but it`s made no difference. When driving it sounds like it`s coming from just in front, to the right a bit and down a bit. Also the knocking doesn`t happen when driving smooth and straight, motorway for example. Can anyone help? thank you.

[G4VHD]

Front wishbone rear bush

[G4VHD]

http://www.bmwownersclub.com/forums/topic/10152-e46-clonking-from-front-right-newbie-question/

[Laurenceb]

Thank you Gavin. I am having those bushes replaced late this week, I will let you know if it solves the problem. Best wishes.

[mart77]

does it happen when you boot it?

[mart77]

is there any viration through the gearknob?

[G4VHD]

Mart..your car is just scrap

[Laurenceb]

Hello Mart. No it doesn`t happen when I boot it and there is no vibration through the gearknob, thank you.

[mart77]

Mart..your car is just scrap

hahahahaa.its fookin ace

[Laurenceb]

Hi Gavin, Had the front wishbone rear bush replaced, while it was being replaced it was noticed that the wishbone ( I saw this too, so it`s genuine) was distorted, so pulling on the bush, causing the rubber to deform. So I had the wishbone with it`s ball joints replaced as well and so far it seems to have stopped the knocking sound, (fingers crossed). The thing is now the steering wheel when you drive in a straight line is not centred, it`s turned slightly to the left. I am guessing that since the steering wheel before the work was done was centred and now it`s not, then someone has tried to disguise the `damaged` wishbone by doing something to the steering wheel, is it a simple thing to do, to perhaps take the steering wheel off and then put it back on, whether in line or not?

Would like to say that it drives much better now, smoother, quieter etc.

[Laurenceb]

sorry just noticed I said the steering wheel is turned slightly to the left, actually it is slightly to the right.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Disconnect the battery, then remove and re-centre the wheel ;)

Another (harder) way is to adjust both tie-rods a turn towards the nearside !

By far the most sensible thing to do is to have it re-tracked :)

[G4VHD]

Get your tracking done mate, It will be out..

Dont do the above steering wheel bodge

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Agree, its an old-school fix :P

[Laurenceb]

Ok thank you, so at your suggestion I`ll get the tracking done first to see if that sorts it out.

[Laurenceb]

Hello Gavin, Had the tracking - camber etc done all round the car, seems to all be fine now, thanks for the advice.