M3 Lower Control Arm Clunking Normal? With Video

FireBlaze · 09-29-2020, 02:37 AM

I have an E92 with upgraded m3 control arms installed last year (yes I torqued it at ride height). Wondering if anyone knows if the front passenger M3 lower control arm should rotate and clunk on the suspension? I’m trying to pinpoint a clunk and it is the only loose part I can obviously see. Car drives fine but has a clunk over bumps. Any insight would be appreciated.

Tambohamilton · 09-29-2020, 04:27 AM

It's ball jointed at both ends, so will rotate like that. The ball joints should have a reasonable amount of friction that stops it from flopping around though.

Can you find what's contacting when it makes the clunk as you rotate it? I've not tried manipulating mine, but yours sounds pretty harsh and metallic in the videos...

Biginboca · 09-29-2020, 10:47 AM

Cant say if this is your issue but make sure the control arms are not installed upside down. Because I did this lol. It will clunk on bumps and if you are not paying attention like I wasn’t it is easy to do, but also easily fixed by remounting them correctly.

gjm120 · 09-29-2020, 11:02 AM

Mine have similar movement but less and no noises. Been on for about 10,000 miles

FireBlaze · 09-29-2020, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the replies. Pretty sure it is hitting on the inner lower control arm against the subframe but it's hard to tell. I'll just change it out and see. Just to confirm, there's no need to torque the lower control arms with load on the suspension? Was reading it was only necessary for the upper control arms.

Tambohamilton · 09-29-2020, 04:24 PM

Correct; you can torque that arm while up on jack stands...there is no rubber bush to wind up.

09-29-2020, 02:37 AM	#1
FireBlaze Private First Class 67 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 335i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	M3 Lower Control Arm Clunking Normal? With Video I have an E92 with upgraded m3 control arms installed last year (yes I torqued it at ride height). Wondering if anyone knows if the front passenger M3 lower control arm should rotate and clunk on the suspension? I’m trying to pinpoint a clunk and it is the only loose part I can obviously see. Car drives fine but has a clunk over bumps. Any insight would be appreciated. __________________ VRSF DP, VRSF 7" Intercooler, BMS OCC, Stg 2 LPFP, Custom MHD E30 Tune, Late Model E-Series N55 Last edited by FireBlaze; 09-29-2020 at 04:02 PM..
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09-29-2020, 04:27 AM	#2
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	It's ball jointed at both ends, so will rotate like that. The ball joints should have a reasonable amount of friction that stops it from flopping around though. Can you find what's contacting when it makes the clunk as you rotate it? I've not tried manipulating mine, but yours sounds pretty harsh and metallic in the videos...
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09-29-2020, 10:47 AM	#3
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Cant say if this is your issue but make sure the control arms are not installed upside down. Because I did this lol. It will clunk on bumps and if you are not paying attention like I wasn’t it is easy to do, but also easily fixed by remounting them correctly. __________________ My E92 328csl Build Thread My 328csl Instagram Page
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09-29-2020, 11:02 AM	#4
gjm120 Colonel 2183 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	Mine have similar movement but less and no noises. Been on for about 10,000 miles __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
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09-29-2020, 04:01 PM	#5
FireBlaze Private First Class 67 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 335i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. Pretty sure it is hitting on the inner lower control arm against the subframe but it's hard to tell. I'll just change it out and see. Just to confirm, there's no need to torque the lower control arms with load on the suspension? Was reading it was only necessary for the upper control arms. __________________ VRSF DP, VRSF 7" Intercooler, BMS OCC, Stg 2 LPFP, Custom MHD E30 Tune, Late Model E-Series N55
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09-29-2020, 04:24 PM	#6
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Correct; you can torque that arm while up on jack stands...there is no rubber bush to wind up.
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