BMW Clunking Noise When Warm

WE HAVE A dull thumping noise that occurs at slow speeds in our seven-year-old BMW 318i. The noise sounds like it happens in sync with tire rotation and it happens only when the car is in motion or when it is settling after coasting to a stop. It also occurs with a more noticeable level of volume and it happens with turning. All these things occur only when the car is warm after 90 minutes or more of running on roads warmer than 20C. So we're underneath the car while it's up on a rack, examining the A-Frame to see if anything looks out of place. The right front stabiliser link is looser than the left front link so after 116,000 miles of use on shitty Irish roads, we're replacing that. It looks like a previous owner did something with the rack and pinion steering assembly so now we're tracing all components that might have been replaced (or forgotten) when that unit was dropped out of the car. I've seen situations arise where mechanics forgot to reinstall suspension components. We're going to assume that's happened or that incorrect torque was applied when reinstalling parts that were removed earlier. I'm also considering replacement of both ball joints since that would probably remove some play from the steering wheel.

And after we sort out the irritating little thumping noise on the BMW 318i, we're getting prepared to replace the Flex Disc Guibo to prevent the differential from failing. It's so irritating when you put the car into gear and nothing happens but the noise of a blender underneath.

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