Creaking noise

Just had a 20 point service done at a local garage, it was a special offer and the car got an oil change and a good going over. Basiscally that was all that I wanted at this point.  I noticed prior to it going in that I was getting a creaking noise coming from the front. This was confirmed in the report from the garage that my O/S/F droplink is creaking. As this garage was a Toyota dealer I didn't take it any further as they wanted over £100 to put new front pads on.

Before I go to my usual mechanic what part of the front suspension am I needing and can I replace it easily myself.

Thanks.

front drop links are bars about 8" long with a ball joint at either end. Cost of these drop links is £12.35 + VAT each. They are held on by a nut at either end, one through the anti roll bar and one through the lug attatched to the suspension leg. Really easy job for the home mechanic.

Ian.

Thanks for the reply's guys. Like I said I got a couple of links replaced on the front last year. I'll take it back to my usual garage next week and see them.

Could it be that one of the parts fitted last year has gone already?

Ian 

I'll try and look tomorrow. Got to admit though that without a manual to guide me I might be a little lost. You have described them before so I should be able to recognise them.

price given wasn't a B.M.W. original part. Dont need to torque the nuts up as long as they're tight. Droplinks can be sourced at any good motor factors outlet and the part you're looking for is "front anti roll bar drop links". Hope this is of some help.

Ian

 the part you're looking for is "front anti roll bar drop links"

I had to get these replaced last year (around £18 +vat each, 14000k on the clock since then) as I was getting a knocking sound coming through. If they put cheap alternatives on could they have gone already. The garage I use is not a BMW main dealer but is part of the John Clark group who are.

Because it is more of a creaking sound instead of a knocking I am beginning to think there may be another problem. 

Ian  

I'm up in Scotland never heard of The Andrew Page Group. Cheapest pads I've come across were Halfords at just under £18. Ferodo were just over £23.

As the links can go at any time and as they are so cheap I'll buy a pair and fit them. When I come to do it is it just a case of removing the old ones and fitting the new ones or is there anything else I have to do.

Ian   

Cheers,

I,ve decided to give it a go, probably be next week before I manage to get around to it.

Looking at some of the other posts came across this site and it gives the procedure for replacing the links

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main.htm

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/suspension/sway_link.htm

Ian