E36 front clunk when lifting

[KyleAnderson]

Ever since bagging my E36 front a couple months ago, I've had a clunk/pop/knock type sound at a certain point when lifting. It does not make the sound when lowering. The longer I let the car sit aired out, the worse the clunk is when lifting. The left side is worse than the right.

Recently I've developed a clunking on the left side when driving, which I believe is the same issue.

I went over every bolt today and ensured they were all tight. Trying to rock the wheel back and forth doesn't produce any sounds. I do see the control arms wiggle a little in the FCABs (OEM webbed type), but they don't show any unusual wear or cracking... they look normal.

What I think is happening is the ball joints (inner or outer, don't know) are being extended beyond what they were designed for, and they pop back into place when rotated back into position. This has caused one to wear out and cause the clunk when driving.

Does this sound right? Any other E36 owners experienced a clunk or pop like this?

[Alex@BagRiders]

The pop that you hear when airing up is from one of the double bellow bags unfolding. It isn't too common but some of them will make that sound when raising. One of the guys that works here has the same issue with his Subaru front strut. There really isn't a fix for it other than getting a new bag which may or may not fix the issue.

As for the clunking on the left side when driving, it could be a bunch of different things especially depending on your mileage but I don't believe it is the same issue.

[KyleAnderson]

The pop that you hear when airing up is from one of the double bellow bags unfolding. It isn't too common but some of them will make that sound when raising. One of the guys that works here has the same issue with his Subaru front strut. There really isn't a fix for it other than getting a new bag which may or may not fix the issue.

As for the clunking on the left side when driving, it could be a bunch of different things especially depending on your mileage but I don't believe it is the same issue.

I think you're right. I had my wife raise and lower the car several times while I checked everything, and it does appear to happen right as the bag would be unfolding over the bottom plate... can't actually see it happen with the tire in the way, but it's at the right point. I have the older Easystreet universal struts.

As for the clunk when driving, the only thing that made me look twice were the FCABs, so I guess I'll start there. Couldn't hurt at a quarter million miles.

Thanks for your help

[KyleAnderson]

Just an update, it is the bag unfolding making the noise. Aired the car out, jacked it up, pulled the wheel off, and watched the strut air up. Definite pop as it rolls over the bottom end cap.

Thanks for your help Rali.

[Alex@BagRiders]

Just an update, it is the bag unfolding making the noise. Aired the car out, jacked it up, pulled the wheel off, and watched the strut air up. Definite pop as it rolls over the bottom end cap.

Thanks for your help Rali.

Sure thing!

[Shocktech102]

Yep, my front right does it as well and it's always at the same PSI.

-Matt

[yoshioka90]

what air system do you have if you dont mind me asking?

[KyleAnderson]

what air system do you have if you dont mind me asking?

Easystreet (old Air Lift) universal front struts, Airhouse 2 rears, Strange Engineering shocks, RidePro manifold valves, Viair 380, two 1 gallon Viair tanks... it's pieced together, but all good quality stuff.

[2012scionxb]

I don't have same car, but Im glad you posted this. My car does the same thing when I lift from aired out, if its not all way down it doesn't do it. I will check with my wheel off and see if its same. Thanks