M340i front left suspension clunk - 8/26 UPDATE

mslevin · 02-01-2022, 02:12 PM

Well, here's the (annoying, frustrating) update:

The transport blocks were left in the suspension, they weren't removed during the PDI. The car always seemed a little stiffer than I thought it should. I assume in the last few weeks these blocks had shifted, causing the suspension to become even stiffer and for it to start making noise. The blocks were removed and I have the car back now.

I talked to the SA about possible further damage (I have ~3300 mi) on the car. He promised that no other damage was done. I said, great to hear, and that if anything else felt or sounded odd I'd bring it straight back. Its a leased car under warranty- it's their problem not mine!

I was told the service writeup had been flagged and the situation would go under internal review. I will be reaching out to the dealership's GM to make sure they're aware this happened. Not looking for anyone to be punished, but this isn't okay and is a pretty stupid thing to miss during a PDI.

jg4c · 02-01-2022, 10:23 PM

That’s crazy. Rare, but shipping blocks being left in have been reported in the past by others. Shoddy PDI for sure. Blocks were likely starting to break down causing the noise. Should be no permanent damage. Thought mine might have been left in also, due to the huge wheel gap in front of XDrive, but dealer assured me that if they were left in,
the suspension would be super harsh and the car would be noticeably bad to drive.

FISH22 · 06-16-2022, 06:49 PM

Jumping in here as I found this thread during a google search.

My 2021 G80 M3 Comp has been doing this most of its life. Started around 3k miles last year. Dealer replaced front left strut support. Went away for a while (but I think this was due to colder temps). Once it warmed up earlier this year, it was back in full force. Car now has 12k miles, and I have torn the entire front end apart multiple times. I’m wondering if the G20 and G80 have the same steering rack. BMW has had a pretty awful record of crappy racks.

bimmerboy71195 · 07-20-2022, 07:43 AM

I have the same knock/clunking feeling and noise coming from my front wheels (feels like left wheel) I notice it as low speeds while going over slight bumps. Did a visual inspection of steering components everything checked out. Has anybody gotten to the bottom of this?

teknic90 · 08-22-2022, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerboy71195

I have the same knock/clunking feeling and noise coming from my front wheels (feels like left wheel) I notice it as low speeds while going over slight bumps. Did a visual inspection of steering components everything checked out. Has anybody gotten to the bottom of this?

In the same boat here. Just had my tension strut arms replaced. Temp just went down so I’ll likely not be able to determine if the clunk is still there, but I imagine it is. There are a few threads about this but I don’t think there has been anyone who completely solved it.

M340i knock in front suspension / steering rack on expansion joints 45mph or under https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1731942

Brand New Clunk https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1935323

teknic90 · 08-26-2022, 04:15 PM

I'm wondering if anyone has checked brake pads. Could they be shifting slightly when going over small bumps and cause the noise and feeling in the steering wheel?

22Black · 09-01-2022, 08:10 PM

I was doing some more research on this noise and did a test that someone suggested. Turning the wheel with the car off to see if there is any play in the components. Surely enough there is a clunk noise when doing just that. I don't know if this is the same noise I hear over bumps but this seems concerning. Any thoughts?

Video attached:

https://youtube.com/shorts/SKI_Y-i4qYY?feature=share

pkash2097 · 09-02-2022, 09:57 AM

Koz1614 I was able to make the same noise with moving the wheel back and forth. Had a technician sit with me at the dealership because they never drove it long enough to be able to replicate it. The dealership is replacing the steering rack for me.

22Black · 09-02-2022, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkash2097

Koz1614 I was able to make the same noise with moving the wheel back and forth. Had a technician sit with me at the dealership because they never drove it long enough to be able to replicate it. The dealership is replacing the steering rack for me.

Please report back the results. Mine is going in next week. Do you also have noise going over bumps? Some say it’s the tie rods

teknic90 · 09-05-2022, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koz1614

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkash2097

Koz1614 I was able to make the same noise with moving the wheel back and forth. Had a technician sit with me at the dealership because they never drove it long enough to be able to replicate it. The dealership is replacing the steering rack for me.

Please report back the results. Mine is going in next week. Do you also have noise going over bumps? Some say it’s the tie rods

That's interesting. I got the same noise when I do the same thing and could be the same clunk and steering feel I'm getting over bumps. Please do report back, it will be another week before I'm able to take mine back in and would help to see if this resolved the problem.

transcendid · 09-06-2022, 09:08 PM

Just checked mine. Same click noise when moving steering wheel back and forth with engine off…

Edit: actually I just watched the video above and I have the clicking, but not the deeper clunking… at least right now. Will keep checking. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!

teknic90 · 09-11-2022, 06:20 PM

Heading back into the dealer this week as the noise persists. Getting tired of this and going to peruse the lemon law if this can't get resolved.

22Black · 09-12-2022, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transcendid

Just checked mine. Same click noise when moving steering wheel back and forth with engine off…

Edit: actually I just watched the video above and I have the clicking, but not the deeper clunking… at least right now. Will keep checking. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!

Mine is at the dealership today. No update so far. Hopefully will have some news tomorrow. Will report back for sure!

22Black · 09-16-2022, 07:08 PM

Picked up my car today at the dealership. They were not able to duplicate the suspension issue. They also advised that the 'knock' when turning the wheel shown in my previous post is 'normal'. I guess ill be waiting until the first oil change to mention it again, unless it gets worse of course.

teknic90 · 09-22-2022, 03:14 PM

Same boat as others. Drove with the foreman today and couldn't replicate when we were driving. But I swear I felt it pulling out of the service bay on the speed bump

. Maybe something to do with additional weight in the car? IDK.

I think I'm just going to say screw it and put my H&R springs on now. I hate chasing ghosts and this clunk seems to be just that.

panki_86 · 09-23-2022, 03:45 PM

Mine M340i from 2020 have adaptive suspension. I had same problems with strange noise from front suspension.
Last year at dealership under warranty they changed shock absorber support bearings on both sides. Till now everything is fine

teknic90 · 09-24-2022, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panki_86

Mine M340i from 2020 have adaptive suspension. I had same problems with strange noise from front suspension.
Last year at dealership under warranty they changed shock absorber support bearings on both sides. Till now everything is fine

This is helpful. Do you by chance have the service report with the part number of the part they replaced? Would be helpful to point out to my SA and the foreman.

teknic90 · 09-24-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teknic90

Quote:

Originally Posted by panki_86

Mine M340i from 2020 have adaptive suspension. I had same problems with strange noise from front suspension.
Last year at dealership under warranty they changed shock absorber support bearings on both sides. Till now everything is fine

This is helpful. Do you by chance have the service report with the part number of the part they replaced? Would be helpful to point out to my SA and the foreman.

Are you reffing to the strut mount (#9 in this diagram)? This seems like a logical conclusion for the noise.

VINCER0 · 09-24-2022, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwj6211

Having a similar issue on my 2021 M440i. Here is my best attempt at recording the noise that's coming from the left front. Is this similar to what you all are also experiencing?

Any insight would be helpful! Have a service appointment in 2 weeks, that was the first appointment they had with a loaner vehicle available.

I don't hear any clunking/thumping sound from your video, but I do hear a grinding/scraping sound at 1:12 onwards with your windows open.

That sound is usually caused by a rock stuck in between your rotor and the brake dust shield or the brake pads. Sometimes it can be due to the shield rubbing against the rotors after being bent due to a misalignment.

panki_86 · 09-24-2022, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teknic90

Quote:

Originally Posted by teknic90

Quote:

Originally Posted by panki_86

Mine M340i from 2020 have adaptive suspension. I had same problems with strange noise from front suspension.
Last year at dealership under warranty they changed shock absorber support bearings on both sides. Till now everything is fine

This is helpful. Do you by chance have the service report with the part number of the part they replaced? Would be helpful to point out to my SA and the foreman.

Are you reffing to the strut mount (#9 in this diagram)? This seems like a logical conclusion for the noise.

Yes strut mount (number nine on your photo), number 5 on ETK.
Mine were totally destroyed after 16k kms~10k mls

bimmerboy71195 · 10-01-2022, 11:11 AM

I can replicate this clunk every time by going slow over a speed bump. I believe it has something to do with the struts

SportySpice · 10-01-2022, 11:27 AM

I don't think I have a clunk over bumps but I drive with music playing so maybe I can't hear it. I have noticed a click sound at cold start when I turn the wheel hard to the left to get out of my parking space. I'm planning to ask my SA about it.

02-01-2022, 02:12 PM	#45
mslevin New Member 5 Rep 13 Posts Drives: E46 325iT, E36 M3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Well, here's the (annoying, frustrating) update: The transport blocks were left in the suspension, they weren't removed during the PDI. The car always seemed a little stiffer than I thought it should. I assume in the last few weeks these blocks had shifted, causing the suspension to become even stiffer and for it to start making noise. The blocks were removed and I have the car back now. I talked to the SA about possible further damage (I have ~3300 mi) on the car. He promised that no other damage was done. I said, great to hear, and that if anything else felt or sounded odd I'd bring it straight back. Its a leased car under warranty- it's their problem not mine! I was told the service writeup had been flagged and the situation would go under internal review. I will be reaching out to the dealership's GM to make sure they're aware this happened. Not looking for anyone to be punished, but this isn't okay and is a pretty stupid thing to miss during a PDI.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2022, 10:23 PM	#46
jg4c Captain 361 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 2022 M340i XDrive Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	That’s crazy. Rare, but shipping blocks being left in have been reported in the past by others. Shoddy PDI for sure. Blocks were likely starting to break down causing the noise. Should be no permanent damage. Thought mine might have been left in also, due to the huge wheel gap in front of XDrive, but dealer assured me that if they were left in, the suspension would be super harsh and the car would be noticeably bad to drive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2022, 06:49 PM	#47
FISH22 Colonel 5403 Rep 2,030 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Competition Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW M3C [10.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Jumping in here as I found this thread during a google search. My 2021 G80 M3 Comp has been doing this most of its life. Started around 3k miles last year. Dealer replaced front left strut support. Went away for a while (but I think this was due to colder temps). Once it warmed up earlier this year, it was back in full force. Car now has 12k miles, and I have torn the entire front end apart multiple times. I’m wondering if the G20 and G80 have the same steering rack. BMW has had a pretty awful record of crappy racks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-20-2022, 07:43 AM	#48
bimmerboy71195 Private First Class 68 Rep 115 Posts Drives: alpine white 340xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: long island iTrader: (0)	I have the same knock/clunking feeling and noise coming from my front wheels (feels like left wheel) I notice it as low speeds while going over slight bumps. Did a visual inspection of steering components everything checked out. Has anybody gotten to the bottom of this?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2022, 04:15 PM	#50
teknic90 Lieutenant 99 Rep 565 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (13) Garage List 2020 G20 M340i [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	I'm wondering if anyone has checked brake pads. Could they be shifting slightly when going over small bumps and cause the noise and feeling in the steering wheel?
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09-01-2022, 08:10 PM	#51
22Black Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 22’ 330i Join Date: May 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I was doing some more research on this noise and did a test that someone suggested. Turning the wheel with the car off to see if there is any play in the components. Surely enough there is a clunk noise when doing just that. I don't know if this is the same noise I hear over bumps but this seems concerning. Any thoughts? Video attached: https://youtube.com/shorts/SKI_Y-i4qYY?feature=share Last edited by 22Black; 09-01-2022 at 09:34 PM..
	Appreciate 1 bquatt218.50 Quote

09-02-2022, 09:57 AM	#52
pkash2097 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2020 m340i xdrive Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Koz1614 I was able to make the same noise with moving the wheel back and forth. Had a technician sit with me at the dealership because they never drove it long enough to be able to replicate it. The dealership is replacing the steering rack for me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-06-2022, 09:08 PM	#55
transcendid Private First Class 45 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2020 m340i RWD Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	Just checked mine. Same click noise when moving steering wheel back and forth with engine off… Edit: actually I just watched the video above and I have the clicking, but not the deeper clunking… at least right now. Will keep checking. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2022, 06:20 PM	#56
teknic90 Lieutenant 99 Rep 565 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (13) Garage List 2020 G20 M340i [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Heading back into the dealer this week as the noise persists. Getting tired of this and going to peruse the lemon law if this can't get resolved.
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09-16-2022, 07:08 PM	#58
22Black Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 22’ 330i Join Date: May 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Picked up my car today at the dealership. They were not able to duplicate the suspension issue. They also advised that the 'knock' when turning the wheel shown in my previous post is 'normal'. I guess ill be waiting until the first oil change to mention it again, unless it gets worse of course.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2022, 03:14 PM	#59
teknic90 Lieutenant 99 Rep 565 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (13) Garage List 2020 G20 M340i [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Same boat as others. Drove with the foreman today and couldn't replicate when we were driving. But I swear I felt it pulling out of the service bay on the speed bump . Maybe something to do with additional weight in the car? IDK. I think I'm just going to say screw it and put my H&R springs on now. I hate chasing ghosts and this clunk seems to be just that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2022, 03:45 PM	#60
panki_86 Private First Class 112 Rep 187 Posts Drives: G20 M340i xDrive Individual Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Mine M340i from 2020 have adaptive suspension. I had same problems with strange noise from front suspension. Last year at dealership under warranty they changed shock absorber support bearings on both sides. Till now everything is fine
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10-01-2022, 11:11 AM	#65
bimmerboy71195 Private First Class 68 Rep 115 Posts Drives: alpine white 340xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: long island iTrader: (0)	I can replicate this clunk every time by going slow over a speed bump. I believe it has something to do with the struts
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10-01-2022, 11:27 AM	#66
SportySpice Second Lieutenant 204 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I don't think I have a clunk over bumps but I drive with music playing so maybe I can't hear it. I have noticed a click sound at cold start when I turn the wheel hard to the left to get out of my parking space. I'm planning to ask my SA about it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote