E28 front suspension noises, diagnosis help.

[mikeb23ft]

Picked up a $600 528e Super Eta yesterday and drove it home for 600 bucks. Pretty decent car, main problem seems to be the front suspension.

There's a consistent bumping sound from the front right side when applying pressure to the brakes. I suspect it's the upper control arm, but I've never done any suspension work. How tough a job is it to tackle, and how can I diagnose the problem further?

Thanks guys I need to get this thing on the road!

[firefirefire90]

E28 suspension is pretty easy to work on, but if you just picked up a $600 car I would put it on stands and see what is going on. It's pretty easy to diagnose on these cars. They're easier than e30's in my opinion.

[mikeb23ft]

Thanks. It seems pretty straightforward. I pulled the wheel off and couldn't see anything obviously wrong, but as I said I've never done suspension stuff before. I grabbed and pulled on all of the various pieces but nothing wiggled too much. I think I may take it to a Midas or whomever and pay the diagnosis fee, then fix it myself.

It also needs brake pads and a few other little things, after which I will probably sell it. Can't have two projects ya know.

[xxx-Lost-Soul-xxx]

Upper Control arms are done in a Hour with hand tools taking your dear sweet time,All you need is a 22mm Socket,a breaker bar and a Wrench.
GO TO A Suspension shop to have a CORRECT DIAG done. they will most likely not charge you,and they will Know what it needs. To check it,Put a pry bar in there and see how much it flex's.

$600 Is a good start,But for that cheap chances are it needs Bushings,and general work. There is a Mod for E28s,From Moosehead engineering, on MYE28 its a pair for around $400.00 It has Reinforced bushings,i am gonna get me a set.

[B83M533W]

Also check the brake on the side with the clunk, jiggle the caliper. If I remember correctly there are plastic sliders that the caliper rides on that can go bad. The replacement is brass or bronze.

[e34m50]

Could be many things. Does it also make the noise upon take off or turning? Check the strut tower bolts and shock bolts. Could be a bad strut mount as well. Control arms gone bad can also cause vibration and shimmy. Check the brake components as B83M533W stated. Since you picked it up for $600, I would roll up my sleeves and do as much as I could myself to keep the cost down (get a Bentley or something). Paying someone else to do it sorta defeats the purpose of buying cheap coz they can charge whatever they want. My 2 cents.