Sound coming from under front center or right side

[scially]

When driving up windy roads, or taking a sharp curve, the car will make a "clank" (more like a soft "thud" sound). The sound appears to be eminating from either the center or right side of the front of the car. I'm not shifting while it makes this sound.

The challenge is that you have to be driving in these conditions to hear the car emit these sounds.

I can't help but wonder if something is amiss with the sway bar?

Any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

[cobradav]

I am assuming you have the ARS (Active Roll Stabilization). That is high pressure hydraulic and should have no mechanical sound to it plus sensor to detect low fluid or not performing correctly. You could check the mounts however. Looks like two "C" clamps attaching to chassis mounts, left and right. All Aluminum under there. Could something in rear transmit or reverberate to make you think it is in front? How about shock mounts/springs? Did you check for broken spring. I slam my car around many thousands of turns in 95k miles and no such sounds.

How about the plastic under mounts that hide alot of the undercarriage. Anything not fastened or missing?


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US '05 645 Coupe|Silver Grey|Chateau|Sport|Logic 7|HUD|Cold Pkg|SAT|AUX|BT w/ snap-in adapter|MP3|V1|CIP 31.00.00


www.bimmerdrivers.com

[yhofmasp]

Center Support Bracket leaps to mind. I've had mine replaced two times in 75K miles. The symptoms were "popping" noises from various areas when the car experienced body torquing of some kind. Usually it sounded like the noise came from the dash or from the moonroof. Might be worth checking it out.

[cobradav]

You reminded me of this issue as well:

SI B51 13 04
Body Equipment August 2007
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B51 13 04 dated June 2007.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Rattling Noise from Center Display


MODEL
E60, E61 (5 Series sedan and sports wagon) produced up to June 2007

E63, E64 (6 Series coupe and convertible) produced up to June 2007


SITUATION
A rattling noise may be heard from behind the center display or lower windshield area when the vehicle is driven over bumps.

CAUSE
The retaining bolts for the cross strut brace on the center support bracket, or on the strut towers, have worked themselves loose. In some cases, the threaded holes of the aluminum center support bracket have become damaged.
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US '05 645 Coupe|Silver Grey|Chateau|Sport|Logic 7|HUD|Cold Pkg|SAT|AUX|BT w/ snap-in adapter|MP3|V1|CIP 31.00.00


www.bimmerdrivers.com

[scially]

Thanks for the replies. I visually couldn't see any deficiencies, so I am bringing the car in for BMW to inspect.

Unfortunately, it doesn't make the noise in all turns (mostly on uphill curves), but I did manage to record the noise on my iphone (how is that for obsessive).

As for "yho" question about the center support bracket--that problem did exist but I had it corrected about a year ago. The noise in that case came whenever I went over a bump. This noise is more akin to a thud sound (like slapping your thigh).

Thanks.

[scially]

The diagnosis--control arm link. Part ordered.

Thanks all.

[cobradav]

You might be the first in our neighborhood. Simply defective or was there a cause (pot hole, curb, etc.)? I know I did a stupid thing in a parking lot that caused lots of sub frame damage (~$2K which insurance paid) but I was totally unaware until I saw 1/2 the passenger side ARS clamp missing and had it checked out.
_______
US '05 645 Coupe|Silver Grey|Chateau|Sport|Logic 7|HUD|Cold Pkg|SAT|AUX|BT w/ snap-in adapter|MP3|V1|CIP 31.00.00


www.bimmerdrivers.com