31 90 ... Front Axle Troubleshooting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Follow troubleshooting for steering/shock absorbers. See 31 90 ... TROUBLESHOOTING SHOCK ABSORBER .

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Fault	Cause	Remedy
Grinding noise (louder when negotiating bends)	Wheel bearings faulty	Replace wheel bearings . See 21 WHEEL BEARINGS AND STU .
Vibration	Wheel imbalance	Balance wheels
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check rims, replace if necessary
	Radial tire runout	Match or replace tires
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 . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Rubber mount of tension strut faulty	Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts . See 31 12 138 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING for steering
Excessive steering wheel play/steering wheel inclination	Rubber mount of control arm faulty	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Rubber mount of tension strut faulty	Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts . See 31 12 138 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING for 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 . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
	Rubber mounts for stabilizer bar bracket faulty	Replace both rubber mounts of stabilizer bar bracket . See 31 35 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT STABILIZER .
	Ball joints on stabilizer link(s) worn	Replace both stabilizer links . See 31 35 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PUSH ROD (STABILIZER LINK) FOR LEFT/RIGHT STABILIZER .
Excessive tire wear	Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted	Check suspension components for damage; if necessary, carry out chassis/wheel alignment check . See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE .