31 90 ... Front Axle Troubleshooting
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW 550i and 2006 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Follow troubleshooting for steering/shock absorbers . See TROUBLESHOOTING SHOCK ABSORBER and TROUBLESHOOTING ON STEERING
FRONT AXLE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE
| Fault | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Grinding noise (louder when negotiating bends) | Wheel bearings faulty | Replace WHEEL BEARINGS |
| Vibration | Wheel imbalance | Balance WHEELS |
| Radial/lateral rim runout | Check RIMS , replace if necessary | |
| Radial tyre runout | Match or replace tyres | |
| Steering-wheel shake | Wheel imbalance | Balance WHEELS |
| Radial/lateral rim runout | Check RIMS , replace if necessary | |
| Rubber mount of control arm faulty | Replace CONTROL ARMS | |
| Ball joint in control arm worn | Replace CONTROL ARMS | |
| Rubber mount of tension strut faulty | Replace RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS | |
| Ball joint on tension strut worn | Replace both TENSION STRUTS | |
| Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING ON STEERING | ||
| Excessive steering wheel play/steering wheel inclination | Rubber mount of control arm faulty | Replace CONTROL ARMS |
| Ball joint in control arm worn | Replace CONTROL ARMS | |
| Rubber mount of tension strut faulty | Replace RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS | |
| Ball joint on tension strut worn | Replace both TENSION STRUTS | |
| Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING ON STEERING | ||
| Rattling noise | Bolts for reinforcement plate loose | Tighten down bolts (refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE ) |
| Bolts for front axle carrier to engine carrier loose | Replace bolts (refer to LOWERING FRONT AXLE CARRIER ) | |
| Bolt for spring strut to swivel bearing loose | Replace bolt & nut (refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT SPRING STRUT ) | |
| Ball joint in control arm worn | Replace CONTROL ARMS | |
| Ball joint on tension strut worn | Replace both TENSION STRUTS | |
| Rubber mounts for stabilizer bar bracket faulty | Replace both RUBBER MOUNTS OF STABILIZER BAR BRACKET | |
| Ball joints on stabilizer link(s) worn | Replace both STABILIZER LINKS | |
| Excessive tyre wear | Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted | Check suspension components for damage; if necessary, carry out WHEEL/CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK |