G05
BMW X5
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04-23-2026LAST POST
04-16-2021
Hi Friends -

So my ride is exhibiting the rear knocking noise. I took it to the dealer and shared some threads here online and they replaced the bolt in the sway bar and torqued it to 100nm. Noise is still there. Looks like it may need new sway bars to resolve this issue. The dealer refuses to perform any more warranty work because the car is lowered.

I kind of remember there were members here with lowered rides and sway bars replaced. Is there anyway you can share with me the work order from BMW or share some insight into how you were able to get the sway bar replaced. Any documentation or talking points welcome!

Thanks in advance!
04-16-2021
xmanpro wrote
Hi Friends -

So my ride is exhibiting the rear knocking noise. I took it to the dealer and shared some threads here online and they replaced the bolt in the sway bar and torqued it to 100nm. Noise is still there. Looks like it may need new sway bars to resolve this issue. The dealer refuses to perform any more warranty work because the car is lowered.

I kind of remember there were members here with lowered rides and sway bars replaced. Is there anyway you can share with me the work order from BMW or share some insight into how you were able to get the sway bar replaced. Any documentation or talking points welcome!

Thanks in advance!
I did not experience any issues like this but my suggest to you if possible go to another dealer and try there. If that is a no go, you might want to lawyer up and work directly with BMW and your lawyer. Find someone that is well diverse in automotive field and you will be fine. You will be surprised how quickly you will get results when you enter someone who is professional into the situation. Been there before and the bottom line before ANY company in automotive in USA say no to warranty, they have to prove that the lowering is what caused the issue its not up to you its up to them. I know this won't be super popular but if you have exhausted your resources with the dealer or dealers in question trust me you will have it up and running in under 90 days. Just my experience here :D
04-16-2021
Thank you. Will try another friendly dealer 45 mins away.

In the meantime here's my service order.
An image attached to this post, provided by the poster
04-16-2021
What conditions do the noise come up? Just xurious
04-17-2021
If it is aftermarket and it seems BMW has documented that fact you are pretty much out of luck. It will be up to You to Prove different. Been there done this one with two different manufacturers.

This is the long and short of it.
04-17-2021
xmanpro wrote
Thank you. Will try another friendly dealer 45 mins away.

In the meantime here's my service order.
They didn't install the shim.
They read the SIB but didn't follow instruction.
Do a socal trip, and I'll fix it for you.
Not all BMW tech created equal. I don't care how everyone are screaming about equality these days. Lol.
04-17-2021
Busa Dave wrote
If it is aftermarket and it seems BMW has documented that fact you are pretty much out of luck. It will be up to You to Prove different. Been there done this one with two different manufacturers.

This is the long and short of it.
It is the simple answer for a lazy and lack of knowledge person to come into conclusion like that.

"Oh, it has aftermarket part. It must be it."

I got multiple customers that came to me because BMW dealership "tech" gave them that answer.
And guess what, the problem wasn't even related to the aftermarket parts.

It is like seeing your partner with another person that you don't know, and you decided to blame them for cheating with other person without even investigating.
04-17-2021
Really_fat_ninja wrote
What conditions do the noise come up? Just xurious
Turning left and right below 10mph
04-17-2021
xmanpro wrote
Turning left and right below 10mph
I assume you lowered it just on springs
If in the back may want to just change out the stock end links to adjustable sway bar end links. That’s should pretty much solve the problem
04-17-2021
r33_RGSport wrote
xmanpro wrote
Thank you. Will try another friendly dealer 45 mins away.

In the meantime here's my service order.
They didn't install the shim.
They read the SIB but didn't follow instruction.
Do a socal trip, and I'll fix it for you.
Not all BMW tech created equal. I don't care how everyone are screaming about equality these days. Lol.
Doood. You're right these guys didn't install the shim. Fukin a.

I'm actually planning on driving from Thermal (Palm Springs) to Big Sur in July and you're literally off the freeway route so might take you up in that offer. Was planning on taking the x6m on that trip anyway.
04-17-2021
xmanpro wrote
r33_RGSport wrote
xmanpro wrote
Thank you. Will try another friendly dealer 45 mins away.

In the meantime here's my service order.
They didn't install the shim.
They read the SIB but didn't follow instruction.
Do a socal trip, and I'll fix it for you.
Not all BMW tech created equal. I don't care how everyone are screaming about equality these days. Lol.
Doood. You're right these guys didn't install the shim. Fukin a.

I'm actually planning on driving from Thermal (Palm Springs) to Big Sur in July and you're literally off the freeway route so might take you up in that offer. Was planning on taking the x6m on that trip anyway.
Let me know. :)
04-17-2021
r33_RGSport wrote
It is the simple answer for a lazy and lack of knowledge person to come into conclusion like that.

"Oh, it has aftermarket part. It must be it."

I got multiple customers that came to me because BMW dealership "tech" gave them that answer.
And guess what, the problem wasn't even related to the aftermarket parts.

It is like seeing your partner with another person that you don't know, and you decided to blame them for cheating with other person without even investigating.
Well unfortunately when the manufacturer gets involved directly with a FSE (or whaever BMW calls them) that is the way it works. When the manufacturer not the dealer makes the call then your only alternative is to lawyer up and find your own expert. The dealer, now that is more fluid however, when the leadership at the store stands behind their service department who made this call then find another dealer. As stated above after the BMW FSE makes the call then game is pretty much over.

Aftermarket parts give the manufacturer quite a bit of latitude blaming the said parts, know that is not what modders like to hear but that is the way it is. Not going to fool with my new X5 M. My 748hp at the rear wheel C7 Z06 that has had extensive engine modifications about 15k worth that I made. Killed anything related to the powertrain warranty and I knew that.

With the new crackdown by the EPA and CARB on the people who manufacturer, sell and install the parts/software that violate the Clean Air Act those days sadly are over for me.

Yes I know this example is not engine related however, just know you are at a higher level of risk when you start changing things beyond "factory parts" when you expect warranty work. It can be a real pain to convince them otherwise. Been there done that many times over the last 35 years.
04-19-2021
Thanks to you guys, Service Bulletin 33 02 21 is what is being done to my car as well, my dealer had zero issue doing it.

My SA confirmed this afternoon.
An image attached to this post, provided by the poster
04-19-2021
That Is Very Good News Indeed! Seems that someone at that dealership was not informed to the highest degree of accuracy.
04-20-2021
xmanpro wrote
r33_RGSport wrote
xmanpro wrote
Thank you. Will try another friendly dealer 45 mins away.

In the meantime here's my service order.
They didn't install the shim.
They read the SIB but didn't follow instruction.
Do a socal trip, and I'll fix it for you.
Not all BMW tech created equal. I don't care how everyone are screaming about equality these days. Lol.
Doood. You're right these guys didn't install the shim. Fukin a.

I'm actually planning on driving from Thermal (Palm Springs) to Big Sur in July and you're literally off the freeway route so might take you up in that offer. Was planning on taking the x6m on that trip anyway.
Also, may just be me but I don't even see the sway bar link the service bulletin calls out to replace with the new bolts and shim being on the parts list. Unless it's on the following page.
05-20-2021
Quick update here, had my local shop install the shims that r33_RGSport's user avatarr33_RGSport provided and now the knocking noise is gone! I'm so happy I don't have to listen to that anymore.

Thank you so much Ben!
05-20-2021
xmanpro wrote
Quick update here, had my local shop install the shims that r33_RGSport's user avatarr33_RGSport provided and now the knocking noise is gone! I'm so happy I don't have to listen to that anymore.

Thank you so much Ben!
Glad I can help remotely. :)
05-20-2021
r33_RGSport wrote
Glad I can help remotely. :)
Maybe you got a twin with the mind of yours on the East coast?
05-20-2021
fe03h20 wrote
Maybe you got a twin with the mind of yours on the East coast?
:D
05-21-2021
xmanpro wrote
Quick update here, had my local shop install the shims that r33_RGSport's user avatarr33_RGSport provided and now the knocking noise is gone! I'm so happy I don't have to listen to that anymore.

Thank you so much Ben!
I would go back to this dealer with the bill showing what they have done and give them SHIT.
05-21-2021
I'll mention it to them. Hopefully they'll help other folks out who have this same issue.
05-22-2021
r33_RGSport wrote
It is the simple answer for a lazy and lack of knowledge person to come into conclusion like that.

"Oh, it has aftermarket part. It must be it."

I got multiple customers that came to me because BMW dealership "tech" gave them that answer.
And guess what, the problem wasn't even related to the aftermarket parts.

It is like seeing your partner with another person that you don't know, and you decided to blame them for cheating with other person without even investigating.
lol good way to put it Ben