Need help..urgent...front end noise.

[etaclay]

So 3 weeks ago I decided it was time to replace all my suspension and front arm control components as they looked to be original. The car is a build date 02/85 325e coupe.
Here is a list of everything I replaced:
Front-
Lemforder Control arms
Condor Speed Shop offset solid CABS
Meyle HD sway bar links
Bilstein sports with H&R super sport springs
OEM strut mounts
The car also has an e36 steering rack with e36 tie rods

Rear-
Bilstein sports with H&R super sport springs
Turner motorsports solid shock mounts

Now, to the issue. I have noticed a noise coming from the front end suspension. It's sort of like a clunk after going over bumps. It happens at various speeds, whether slowly going over speed bumps (~5 mph) to going over rough patches of road. Tonight I noticed that the clunk would happen repeatedly after going over bumps. I never worried about taking my e30 anywhere and now I'm really not wanting to drive it at all.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I have double checked and made sure everything was tight and connected properly.
Any insight would be extremely helpful.
Thanks r3v.

[efficient]

Maybe a loose top hat.
Loose shock cartridge.
Loose sway bar end links.
You made sure you tightened the big nut on the control arm that connects to the sunframe.

[ST1G]

Maybe a loose top hat.

I would say it's either this, or the nut on the strut isn't tight. It's a bitch to get the nut tight enough because the strut piston spins.

You can test this by opening the hood, and rapidly and forcefully push up and down on the car on the fender by the strut/top hat. You should be able to clearly hear it, and maybe see that it's loose.

[etaclay]

Maybe a loose top hat.
Loose shock cartridge.
Loose sway bar end links.
You made sure you tightened the big nut on the control arm that connects to the sunframe.

For sure both control subframe bolts are tight. First place I checked. My original thought was that the shock wasn't tightened in the strut housing so I pulled it apart and re-tightened it. No change.

[etaclay]

I would say it's either this, or the nut on the strut isn't tight. It's a bitch to get the nut tight enough because the strut piston spins.

You can test this by opening the hood, and rapidly and forcefully push up and down on the car on the fender by the strut/top hat. You should be able to clearly hear it, and maybe see that it's loose.

I think I've done this test already as I've read something similar, but I'll double check. I used an impact with a thin wall socket to get it on tight.

[agent]

the nut on the strut isn't tight. It's a bitch to get the nut tight enough because the strut piston spins.

You can test this by opening the hood, and rapidly and forcefully push up and down on the car on the fender by the strut/top hat. You should be able to clearly hear it, and maybe see that it's loose.

Yep. I've had this issue both times I've done work to my front suspension. Both times the nut on top of the strut was loose by about a thread. Run the impact on it for a solid 10-15 seconds. When you think there's no way it could be on any tighter, run it 5 more seconds.

[kickinindian]

also use a rag and some vicegrips on the shaft part of the shock to help in not spin as much, mine did the same thing, and even with an impact it would not do the last little but, just needed a little help keeping it from spinning did the trick

[AlonzoS]

9/10 it's that nut. Had the same issue, just tighten that thing up

[etaclay]

Thanks gentleman. Will do this tomorrow on my off day. I appreciate all the helpful comments. Will report back after its done!

[DRTSRFR]

Double check the washers under the top mount. If one is missing, tightening the nut won't help.

Check the link in my sig for a diagram...

[McGyver]

rag/electrical tape on pliers/vice-grips or a strap wrench to hold the strut, then impact on the top nut.

[etaclay]

Double check the washers under the top mount. If one is missing, tightening the nut won't help.

Check the link in my sig for a diagram...

I checked the diagram, I recall when taking my suspension off, part n#7(31331110196) and #8(07119931021) were not there. Would this cause it? I ask because I did not have the noise before the suspension swap.

[etaclay]

Also, on another diagram of the strut assembly on realoem.com there's part #6 called threaded ring with external thread(pn 31321117376). I do not remember taking this part off. Could that also cause the issue? Tried to upload diagram photo however it kept failing. I figure you guys probably know what I'm talking about.

[DRTSRFR]

If 7 and 8 are missing, you will definitely have a clunk. It's quite common for these to be missed when re-assembling.

pn 31321117376 is the gland nut which retains the damper(strut) insert.

[etaclay]

If 7 and 8 are missing, you will definitely have a clunk. It's quite common for these to be missed when re-assembling.

pn 31321117376 is the gland nut which retains the damper(strut) insert.

I appreciate your help. I believe part #7 and #8 are causing the issue as well as the missing washer on the top of the struts. I'll be ordering them from bmw tomorrow.