F30 - "knocking" sound from steering/absorber

[tIANcI]

Does steering leaning towards one direction consider bad enough? I don't know if this is related to the steering rack but I noticed my steering sometimes lean to the left side. Or, it could be the road surface. Or, is that the case of a bad alignment?

All roads have a camber to ensure water runs off to the sides. Causes cars to pull to left slightly. Only way to check is a long level area such as a mall indoor car park. But safe to say most alignment shops do not get it very straight la.

 

[willy5]

Bro,
I think tire squeals on a cement floor is because of the tire soap after car wash.
Best to check alignment is just driving straight on an even road, and gently letting go both hands.

Try it when there is no soap left. Normally our roads are built with a camber for water run off and not all roads have the same angle, so it's hard to determine if it is your alignment or the road.

























youtube to mp3

 

[redeu3]

This is in reference to one of the issues stated in the thread started by jan999 in his "poll: compilation of problems of F30 u encountered". I believe many F30 owners irregardless of whether it is a 320D or 328i (not sure about the 320i yet as no one seemed to have one at this juncture) faced this elusive "knocking" sound from the steering/absorber with some experiencing a slight judder at the steering wheel when the car goes over a small hump or pothole or cat-eyes on the road. The feeling/sound is akin to a worn-out lower arm bushing. The problem is that the sound only comes intermittently and only when the car rolls over the hump or pothole at a certain angle, thus resulting it being difficult to pin-point it to the service advisor/technician during test-drive for them to really look into it. This predicament had resulted in this very issue being left unresolved up until now.

I had my car checked for the first time about a month back but the Service Advisor cannot detect the sound so nothing can be done then. However, when I sent my car in this morning to rectify other problems (also one of those usual suspect) I again got my Service Advisor to try to identify the sound and this time he managed to hear it. He checked and said that it is due to some design defect of the Steering Rack and said a few have also complained about similar problem. I told him not a few but a HUGE MAJORITY!!! (hahaha) because I have been in touch with quite a few f30 owners out there who has the same problem (thanks to the forum). He said a rectification note has been sent to BMW and apparently the R&D in Germany is trying to come out with an upgraded Steering Rack but when will it be ready to be shipped out, he doesn't know.

So guys, you just have to hang on there for the time being. But in the meantime, for those of you who have this problem I would appreciate if you could file in an official complaint to your respective dealer and get them to officially escalate the said problem to BMW Malaysia and Germany so that the relevant people in Germany know the extent of the problem and have a sense of urgency to quickly come out with the upgraded parts.

Sorry to raise an old thread, I just like to know if this is how the noise sounds like.

With Engine Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIQdGu9vj9Y

With Engine on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swrD2c7SwvM

 

[niceric]

Sorry to raise an old thread, I just like to know if this is how the noise sounds like.

With Engine Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIQdGu9vj9Y

With Engine on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swrD2c7SwvM

That's bad, I need to check mine too!

 

[redeu3]

Is this normal?? is this the same noise that was discussed???

 

[TheTinkerer]

I don't hear any sound when turning the steering with engine switched on. Sound will appear when rolling through bump/pothole at certain angle. With engine off, its about the same noise as in video (only difference is that in mine, the noise level is lower).

 

[splee]

I have the same sound on my. Going to file a complaint on my next service appointment.

 

[Breakpopin]

Common issue world wide with the f30. Its happening to the f20 (1series) too now...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[redeu3]

I don't hear any sound when turning the steering with engine switched on. Sound will appear when rolling through bump/pothole at certain angle. With engine off, its about the same noise as in video (only difference is that in mine, the noise level is lower).

I get the same knocking/rattling noise as the video from the steering wheel when I turn left while going over uneven surfaces, it was difficult to record while driving so i found the same noise with the car being turned off. Have you taken the car back?

 

[simonyap]

No cure for the cancer at the moment...so just leave it!!

 

[alantiong]

im facing the same prob too. they have changed my car with new steering rack (after waiting for 2 month) and the 'knock' sounds still there. getting fedup since i thought my car will be in a good cond after changing the steering rack. now need to book for another appoint and im not sure which part need to be changed next.. anyone can confirm either the bushings need to be changed as well....?? regret to buy f30!!!!!

believe it or not.. i found what is the stupid sound which feels like the rack or suspension...

i sent it in for steering rack replacement as most of you did. the the sound seems gone for a while.. then it came back.. i strip off the whole suspension.. including my new titans and changed all the teflon sleeves just to be sure. Damned its still there. strip it second time and and the streering rack as well.. bloody hell it is the thrust bearing on the top mounting of the suspension. it bloody made of plastic and made knocking noise!!!!!!!!!!!! straight away i changed it to the older version from other car that fits the size. lucky richard has it in stock.. wooaaaalahhhh... no more knocking.. i have been bashing the car left right center for a week now and nothing happen,

regs

 

[paulwks]

thats real great news! i just called quill, they also said they may have a solution. Maybe from alan?

 

[mizhan]

alan, is it possible for you to share a photo of that part? thanks..

 

[splee]

Looks like we have finally found a solution to the problem that has been bugging us all this while. I hope my SC knows about the solution.

 

[enghow200]

Alan, front suspension or rear suspension thrust bearing?

 

[simonyap]

Fast..fast, raise this issue for them to make a recall for our car!! After warranty ( less than 11 months left) they no time to Fxxx us lo...

 

[TheTinkerer]

If Alan's solution proves valid, then what the hell are those BMW technician doing? So many complaints and so many 'new' version of the steering rack, yet the problem still persist.

 

[splee]

Bro Alan. Bavarian need your service. Lol.

 

[Thils74]

Just sent my car in for same problem and now waiting for steering rack part to arrive. Same reason given, they are waiting for the upgraded version to come in from Germany as the earlier replacement did not solve the problem. Was told to be prepare for a long wait.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bhs]

Hi,
Had the same problem for like 10 months. Finally quill said something needs to be tightened up, showed me the pic but sorry dunno how to upload this-but quill do not have the tools to do this. Given this pic to ingress, they did the work and the problem solved but seem that my steering is no longer "that" soft like before in eco, confort mode. But knocking sound gone. Should I post the names of these technicians?