31 90 ... Front Axle Troubleshooting

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 750i, 2008 BMW 750Li, 2007 BMW 750i, 2007 BMW 750Li, and 2006 BMW 750i. 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 31 21 180 REPLACING BEARINGS (WHEEL HUB) FOR FRONT WHEEL .
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 32 90 ... TROUBLESHOOTING ON 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 32 90 ... 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 31 11 506 LOWERING/RAISING FRONT AXLE CARRIER )
	Bolt for spring strut to swivel bearing loose	Replace bolt & nut. See 31 31 031 REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT (SPORT SUSPENSION) , 31 31 031 REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT (STANDARD SUSPENSION) or 31 31 031 REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT (STANDARD SUSPENSION, BUILD DATE FROM 03/2005) .
	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 .