Twang sound, almost like a Tamberine, comming from right front

[JasonR]

I had springs installed and the car was fine for about 2 weeks or so. I brought the car back to the shop and they said there was signs of a little rubbing of the spring against something near the rotor, like a dust guard. Anyway, they tried to fix it with some success. The sound is still there but not as bad as it was. They said there is nothing visual to give it away and don't really know what the problem is. I hear that taking the wheel off and giving the rotor a herky jerk will make sure everything is in place. What do you guys think? Have any of you experienced it and what did you do to fix it?

Thanks
Jason

[Chapel]

did you forget to remove the hippie?

[JasonR]

cool.....anybody with real knowledge of cars like to respond?

[Chapel]

when does the twang occur?
just daily driving
is it based on wheel rotation or only when you go over bumps?

how far did you lower the car from stock?
are the springs larger in diameter than the stock pieces?
did you match the springs with proper shocks?

I need to know more than just 'twang sound coming from the right front'

technically the only thing up front that would make a TWANG would be the brake shield.
if you increased the camber in the front theres a chance something could be rubbing that shield.

if it twangs when the car is rebounding off a bump then that could be it.

[Chapel]

there is a way to test... but its not always the best way...
jack the car up, remove that front wheel
place a jack stand underheat the triangulation point of the front control arm. put something soft (like a piece of rubber or some wood) on the jack stand
lower the car onto the control arm so that the suspension compresses
place the jack somewhere at a 'safe spot' in case the car falls off the stand.

now comes the scary part...
once you have it lowered... press on that front fender to compress the spring even more then let off suddenly...

now... Ive done this to find problems on a sub 2000lbs car...
I cant imagine your car (at 3500+lbs) jumping off the stand

watch and listen for the rubbing and the twang.

it depends on how hard you have to hit a bump to incur the twang.
if a light bump can set it off, this would be a way to test it...

I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO ANY DAMAGE INCURRED TO YOUR CAR BY THE PROCEDURE LISTED. Attempt at your own risk.

[JasonR]

Hey man,

Thanks for the replies. Well, i had the car lowered 1.75 inch's but I have not replaced my stock sport shocks. Also, I am getting new tires this week and just havn't gottwn around to doing an alignment. I think that is the problem. I should get that done.

[JasonR]

The car makes the sound only when I go over a bump. Sounds just like a tamberine or something of that sort. The test sound like it would work but I don't think I am very confident in trying it. LOL. Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

Alignment I am seeing is like 85 dollars. Does that sound right and what kind of place is a good place to get it done or does it even matter?

[Chapel]

$85-$110 for a good alignment
Id bring it to a BMW specialist
most alignment shops I know just use a BFH and analog instruments

[JasonR]

Thanks Chapel, Does it sound like that is the problem or do you have any other ideas what it could possibly be?

Thanks man,
Jason

[JasonR]

Hey Guys,

A friend of mine told me that my front strut is done. Are my struts and shocks really that bad? I have 41k on the car and just had the Intrax SS springs installed last week. Do I really need to get new shocks and where is the most inexpensive place to get shocks. Also, running Intrax springs on a 5 series, what isa good shock setup and is there anything else I would need to repalce while I am at it?

Thanks Guys,
This sound and the way the car is starting to feel is driving me nuts.

JasonR

[JasonR]

Anybody have any input they can give me? Thanks Guys