Just Installed H&R/Bilstein - Clanking over small bumps??? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

BrundenBak · 03-16-2012, 01:25 PM

Hey, I just installed H&R sport springs and bilstein sport shocks on my 2011 328xi. Everything went well on the install, and I didn't run into any issues or confusing parts. Took about 3 hours for me and my friend and everything looked good.

Once I started driving there were some loud, definitely not normal clanking when I go over small bumps at slow speeds. At first I thought it was just the springs settling in, but not so sure anymore.

When I get on the highway almost no issue. It is only loud going over small bumps at slow speeds. To be even more specific: I went over some long speed bumps and there was no issue getting up on them, but the loud noise came when I was getting off the speed bump. So it sounds like compression is fine, but when it decompresses there is something going on. The same noise happens when I hit even the tiniest bump driving through the neighborhood.

I've looked all around the forum and online, and I found two possible solutions. The first is tightening the bolt that is on the very bottom of the strut (don't know the name but it is an 18mm), but it just holds the bottom in place. The second is the nut at the very top of the strut. When I put those nuts on I specifically remember them being flush with the top of the strut. Was that not tight enough? It wouldn't turn any more.

Anyways, I figured I would put it out here to try and find the exact issue instead of just going underneath and messing around. I especially don't want to pull it all back out if I don't have to.

Thanks for the help.

PS it looks awesome and I will get pictures up later when I'm not concerned anymore.

tscdennab · 03-16-2012, 05:27 PM

Does the clanking come from both axles ? From all corners ? Or maybe it's just on one corner ?

BrundenBak · 03-17-2012, 01:51 AM

No noise from the rears. Just from the front. And it is coming from both sides.

tscdennab · 03-18-2012, 05:40 AM

Check the center bolts that secure the strut upper mounts to the struts themselves. Did you check the upper mounts before install ? Were the bearings ok, with no play or very little play ?

hurricane56 · 03-18-2012, 09:41 AM

A bit off topic but related to your suspension, exactly which Eibach Pro-Kit did you use? And also, please post some pictures when you get your clanking sound sorted.

BrundenBak · 03-18-2012, 12:03 PM

I used the Bilstein xi Sport Shocks from turnermotorsports. Good deal. I am going back to the shop tomorrow to figure this thing out and I will post pictures and an update when I get back. Hopefully with some good news.

hurricane56 · 03-18-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrundenBak

I used the Bilstein xi Sport Shocks from turnermotorsports. Good deal. I am going back to the shop tomorrow to figure this thing out and I will post pictures and an update when I get back. Hopefully with some good news.

Thanks, I actually just pulled the trigger on the same shocks myself. As for the springs, did you get the Pro Kit made for the 335 or 330?

gizmo335i · 03-19-2012, 08:44 AM

It definately sounds like that top nut. When I put mine on I had the same problem. It's really hard to get it torqued down when putting it together before you put it on the car. As I'm sure you noticed when doing so, it turns the spring and the shock when you turn that nut when it's off the car. But once you get it on, the shock can't turn anymore. I think I had to torque mine down twice after putting it back on the car.

BrundenBak · 03-19-2012, 01:33 PM

Exactly right. It was the top nut on the strut. We tightened it down as much as we could when it was out, but didn't once it was installed.

Tightened it up today and the problem was solved. Took 2 minutes.

I'll post pictures tomorrow, it is already dark here. I am very happy with it though.

BrundenBak · 03-20-2012, 02:44 PM

Here are some pictures. Rears look awesome with a 12mm macht snell spacer. No spacer on the front. Stock 17s with 245/45s. Thought the fronts would be a tad lower but still looks great.

Stock photo up top.

AWD Addict · 03-20-2012, 03:49 PM

It'll even out a bit more as it settles. My e92 F&R almost match now, and it's only been 4 days.

tscdennab · 03-21-2012, 03:45 AM

I think the front end sits way too high for H&R Sport. The car looks really out of balance. I think something very obvious was messed up on the front end install and that's what's causing the clanks.

axis · 03-21-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tscdennab

I think the front end sits way too high for H&R Sport. The car looks really out of balance. I think something very obvious was messed up on the front end install and that's what's causing the clanks.

Yeah unless those struts are really long, the front on my car with Pro-Kits and the 1st gen BMW performance struts is a lot lower than that. And H&R sports should be a little lower than the Pro-kit that I have.

gizmo335i · 03-21-2012, 10:23 AM

Dude, your car should be MUCH lower in the front...something is not right for sure. As far as settling, it would only settle maybe .1 or .2 if that.

I miss Germany....you need to get those weeds out of the driveway..lol...your neighbors are gonna get pissed...or maybe you live in a U.S. neighborhood

AWD Addict · 03-21-2012, 10:55 AM

It'll settle a lot more than 1/10 of an inch.

If those are from the first day they were installed, it's probably not far off. My fronts settled a lot more than the rears with the eibachs.

CJ421 · 03-21-2012, 12:58 PM

Yep the strut hat on the top - if those bolts aren't tight, you get the clunking. It's important they are tightened while the car is on the ground, not on the lift.

Another source of clunking from the front suspension is the sway bar end links. Mine came loose somehow and I got the noise over bumps at low speed. Tightened them up and the noise went away.

Your car looks like stock M-sport suspension height on a regular I. Looks normal to me ... certainly much better than the 4x4 look the xdrive models have from the factory.

gizmo335i · 03-21-2012, 01:06 PM

I have installed H&R Sport a few times. And I have seen pics of them just installed on 100's of cars on here. And the height has never looked like that. It especially shouldn't settle too much in the front. The rear is what settles more from my experience.

BrundenBak · 03-21-2012, 02:19 PM

I'll tighten up the top nut and the sway bar ends links this weekend again. Anyone have an opinion on why it would be sitting higher than it should?

vasillalov · 03-21-2012, 02:42 PM

Your rotors need replacement!

tscdennab · 03-21-2012, 04:22 PM

One possible reason for the higher front stance is that you got the 335xi springs instead of 328xi. Car sits higher because the engine is lighter.

BrundenBak · 03-22-2012, 04:48 AM

I'll mess around with it this weekend. And yes I live in Germany, but I do not have as much time as my neighbors to take care of the yard everyday. But it does look like crap coming out of the winter...

gizmo335i · 03-22-2012, 08:13 AM

OK...the XI could be the difference....sorry..didn't think of that..

03-16-2012, 01:25 PM	#1
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	Just Installed H&R/Bilstein - Clanking over small bumps??? Hey, I just installed H&R sport springs and bilstein sport shocks on my 2011 328xi. Everything went well on the install, and I didn't run into any issues or confusing parts. Took about 3 hours for me and my friend and everything looked good. Once I started driving there were some loud, definitely not normal clanking when I go over small bumps at slow speeds. At first I thought it was just the springs settling in, but not so sure anymore. When I get on the highway almost no issue. It is only loud going over small bumps at slow speeds. To be even more specific: I went over some long speed bumps and there was no issue getting up on them, but the loud noise came when I was getting off the speed bump. So it sounds like compression is fine, but when it decompresses there is something going on. The same noise happens when I hit even the tiniest bump driving through the neighborhood. I've looked all around the forum and online, and I found two possible solutions. The first is tightening the bolt that is on the very bottom of the strut (don't know the name but it is an 18mm), but it just holds the bottom in place. The second is the nut at the very top of the strut. When I put those nuts on I specifically remember them being flush with the top of the strut. Was that not tight enough? It wouldn't turn any more. Anyways, I figured I would put it out here to try and find the exact issue instead of just going underneath and messing around. I especially don't want to pull it all back out if I don't have to. Thanks for the help. PS it looks awesome and I will get pictures up later when I'm not concerned anymore.
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03-19-2012, 08:44 AM	#8
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	It definately sounds like that top nut. When I put mine on I had the same problem. It's really hard to get it torqued down when putting it together before you put it on the car. As I'm sure you noticed when doing so, it turns the spring and the shock when you turn that nut when it's off the car. But once you get it on, the shock can't turn anymore. I think I had to torque mine down twice after putting it back on the car. __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more

03-20-2012, 02:44 PM	#10
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	Here are some pictures. Rears look awesome with a 12mm macht snell spacer. No spacer on the front. Stock 17s with 245/45s. Thought the fronts would be a tad lower but still looks great. Stock photo up top. Attached Images

03-21-2012, 10:23 AM	#14
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	Dude, your car should be MUCH lower in the front...something is not right for sure. As far as settling, it would only settle maybe .1 or .2 if that. I miss Germany....you need to get those weeds out of the driveway..lol...your neighbors are gonna get pissed...or maybe you live in a U.S. neighborhood __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more

03-21-2012, 12:58 PM	#16
CJ421 Colonel Drives: '11 E92 335i 6MT M Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 2,943 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [4.63]	Yep the strut hat on the top - if those bolts aren't tight, you get the clunking. It's important they are tightened while the car is on the ground, not on the lift. Another source of clunking from the front suspension is the sway bar end links. Mine came loose somehow and I got the noise over bumps at low speed. Tightened them up and the noise went away. Your car looks like stock M-sport suspension height on a regular I. Looks normal to me ... certainly much better than the 4x4 look the xdrive models have from the factory. __________________ Quaife LSD by VAC, JRZ RS Pro, full M3 susp, TCK monoball kit, Mich. PSS, brake ducts, SS brake lines, UUC SSK, BMW Perf. Exhaust/steering wheel/CF spoiler/Style 269 19s, ETS FMIC, ER CP, VAC RSIK, Sparcos

03-16-2012, 05:27 PM	#2
tscdennab Banned Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Europe Posts: 1,811 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [3.12]	Does the clanking come from both axles ? From all corners ? Or maybe it's just on one corner ?

03-17-2012, 01:51 AM	#3
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	No noise from the rears. Just from the front. And it is coming from both sides.

03-18-2012, 05:40 AM	#4
tscdennab Banned Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Europe Posts: 1,811 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [3.12]	Check the center bolts that secure the strut upper mounts to the struts themselves. Did you check the upper mounts before install ? Were the bearings ok, with no play or very little play ?

03-18-2012, 09:41 AM	#5
hurricane56 First Lieutenant Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 388 iTrader: (5)	A bit off topic but related to your suspension, exactly which Eibach Pro-Kit did you use? And also, please post some pictures when you get your clanking sound sorted.

03-18-2012, 12:03 PM	#6
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	I used the Bilstein xi Sport Shocks from turnermotorsports. Good deal. I am going back to the shop tomorrow to figure this thing out and I will post pictures and an update when I get back. Hopefully with some good news.

03-19-2012, 01:33 PM	#9
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	Exactly right. It was the top nut on the strut. We tightened it down as much as we could when it was out, but didn't once it was installed. Tightened it up today and the problem was solved. Took 2 minutes. I'll post pictures tomorrow, it is already dark here. I am very happy with it though.

03-20-2012, 03:49 PM	#11
AWD Addict Chief Executive Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 2,325 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	It'll even out a bit more as it settles. My e92 F&R almost match now, and it's only been 4 days.

03-21-2012, 03:45 AM	#12
tscdennab Banned Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Europe Posts: 1,811 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [3.12]	I think the front end sits way too high for H&R Sport. The car looks really out of balance. I think something very obvious was messed up on the front end install and that's what's causing the clanks.

03-21-2012, 10:55 AM	#15
AWD Addict Chief Executive Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 2,325 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	It'll settle a lot more than 1/10 of an inch. If those are from the first day they were installed, it's probably not far off. My fronts settled a lot more than the rears with the eibachs.

03-21-2012, 01:06 PM	#17
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	I have installed H&R Sport a few times. And I have seen pics of them just installed on 100's of cars on here. And the height has never looked like that. It especially shouldn't settle too much in the front. The rear is what settles more from my experience. __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more

03-21-2012, 02:19 PM	#18
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	I'll tighten up the top nut and the sway bar ends links this weekend again. Anyone have an opinion on why it would be sitting higher than it should?

03-21-2012, 02:42 PM	#19
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,005 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i E90 [4.00]	Your rotors need replacement! __________________ Equal Opportunity Harasser! 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| M3 bits BMWCCA #447439

03-21-2012, 04:22 PM	#20
tscdennab Banned Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Europe Posts: 1,811 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [3.12]	One possible reason for the higher front stance is that you got the 335xi springs instead of 328xi. Car sits higher because the engine is lighter.

03-22-2012, 04:48 AM	#21
BrundenBak New Member Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	I'll mess around with it this weekend. And yes I live in Germany, but I do not have as much time as my neighbors to take care of the yard everyday. But it does look like crap coming out of the winter...

03-22-2012, 08:13 AM	#22
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	OK...the XI could be the difference....sorry..didn't think of that.. __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more

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