Clunk from front suspension over bumps, does this car have strut stoppers?

Tiny
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  • 2011 BMW X5
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
Only front left. I am trying to find out whether these cars have strut stoppers. This car has air ride suspension. I had replaced a strut stopper on a 2007 before but that had regular struts.
Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 AT 8:08 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
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I assume you are talking about the bump stops that when a strut or shock fail it prevents the spring from bottoming out?

If this is the case then yes, there is a rubber stop inside the strut in most cases. While I have not looked inside this vehicles spring they are all pretty much the same.

However, if you have a clunking only when hitting a bump then I suspect the spring has failed but does this corner of the vehicle drop down or is it still holding the proper height?

If it is not dropped then the air bag is not likely the issue. More than likely you have a ball joint issue or other suspension issue.

However, I will attaching the info needed to replace this.

Here is a video on a different vehicle but it will be similar:

https://youtu.be/tXnyEEFlFnA

Below is the process from the manual on how to replace this and test it.

Please run through this and let us know if you have other questions and what you find.

Thanks
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Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
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No springs, it has air struts. Only front right makes a noise, it does not sink, I am talking about the upper strut stopper that mounts on top of the strut which can be accessed from under the hood.
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Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
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Okay. I think we are talking about the same thing but using different names which is confusing things.

An airbag suspension system has a bag that is called the spring. Basically it is replacing the traditional spring so it is still called a spring as it does the same thing, just with air so it is an air spring.

This vehicle also uses a shock absorber which dampens the shock of a bump from the road.

So are you talking about the mount on the top of the shock or the air spring?

Maybe get a picture of what you are looking at.

However, I am attaching below the process for the shock so if the vehicle is not dropping, I suspect this is the issue.

So the process for the air spring is above and the shock is below.

Thanks
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Friday, September 3rd, 2021 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
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Attached. Am talking about the center bolt on too of the air strut and whether there is a stopper on top. An 07 I had had that and I replaced it when it was clunking but it had regular struts not air.
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Friday, September 3rd, 2021 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
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Attached.
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Friday, September 3rd, 2021 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
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Okay. I understand. There is a rubber stopper in air struts because if they leak and drop down then you want the suspension sitting on rubber and not metal to metal.

However, I doubt that is what is causing your clunk plus I don't find that they are replaceable separate. Meaning you would need to replace the entire assembly to get that bump stop.

The reason I am not sure that is causing the noise is if the air spring is working then it is never bottoming out and hitting that rubber stop. It is not a mount like in the non air suspension.

I bet your clunk when hitting bumps is a worn out rubber grommet like a ball joint or something.

Clearly I am not there and listening to it so having worked with you before, I know your instincts are really good. So if you are thinking it is the air spring then go with it. However, I don't see how you can get parts for them which means the whole thing needs to be replaced.

If you find something different on this when you get it apart or sources of parts then please educate us on what you find. Thanks
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Saturday, September 4th, 2021 AT 8:10 AM
Tiny
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Thanks, that makes sense. I will check it and let you know.
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Saturday, September 4th, 2021 AT 8:46 AM

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