Rattle in Steering wheel

[tank34]

Is it normal to experience a rattle in the steering wheel area of the car when going over bumps on the road? The most notable experience is when you are driving down a, say, multi-storey car park, and if the surface of the ramp is particualr "bumpy", I get a nasty rattle sound/vibration on the steering wheel. It seems as if it is starting from my suspensions and then vibrating the front bushings which in turn causes the vibrating sensation in the steering wheel. It's quite irritating becuase when I drive my sister's Toyota Vios, it does not happen at all and it seems steadier/solid expecially when going over bumps and "pot holes" on roads.

 

[scin]

Sounds like the universal joint coupling in your steering column is going and needs to be replaced!

 

[Lee36328]

no, definitely not normal. it's ultimate driving machine, not ultimate rattling machine.

have u indicated this to ur regular workshop?

what did they say?

 

[tank34]

Well, the strange this is that I used to drive my dad's 528i (CBU) and remember the same thing happening in his car. I thot it normal and did not bother mentioning this to AB. I guess I should have because 3 months ago, the car was still under warranty, I thot it was normal for that to happen. Anyways, CNY now, workshops still not back at work. Will try later and post the results.

 

[wglee]

My E46 doesn't suffer from the problem experienced by you.

Could be that your lower control arm bush needs replacing...

 

[jsen]

Originally posted by scin@Feb 1 2006, 11:14 PM
Sounds like the universal joint coupling in your steering column is going and needs to be replaced!

i think scin is right.. i had the exp too, changed rack, eveyrtime kow tim liao..!

 

[aRRrgghh]

Try to check the steering column lower joint. The pic as per below. Hope u'll get the idea ~

 

[Daniel]

how much did it cost you?

 

[tank34]

Guyz,

went to AB Glenmarie to "partially" fix it. Apparently something in the "Spindle" that needed to be tightened and then taped over to dampen the noise. It did reduce the noise, but if I go through, say, a bigger pot hole, the I can still hear it. Will live with it for the time being.

Can anyone comment on this spindle?

 

[Mouse]

Is it normal to experience a rattle in the steering wheel area of the car when going over bumps on the road? The most notable experience is when you are driving down a, say, multi-storey car park, and if the surface of the ramp is particualr "bumpy", I get a nasty rattle sound/vibration on the steering wheel.

It seems as if it is starting from my suspensions and then vibrating the front bushings which in turn causes the vibrating sensation in the steering wheel. It's quite irritating becuase when I drive my sister's Toyota Vios, it does not happen at all and it seems steadier/solid expecially when going over bumps and "pot holes" on roads.

i face the same problem and i understand that many of the E46 guys have a similar problem, most likely is the steering column, but not sure if it can be overhaul

 

[Mouse]

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2595&highlight=steering+rack

similar topic

 

[c-square]

Had the same problem before and it turned out to be the torn lower arm bushes. Had them replaced and no more rattling

 

[3er]

I've got it as well and still unresolved. Doesnt help when we live in a country with pot-holed roads the size of bomb craters in a war torn country....
(either that or Malaysian road engineers as c0ck-eyed...)

 

[bmwcar]

i get it too....only when going down the carpark ramps with ridges........seems to come from the steering wheel horn cover area......... its been there for about 3 years and has not got better or worse so living with it peacefully.......

 

[NKTOB]

i had similar problem as well....

chk with my mech @ M Speed, he reckons it's the steering column..not the couplings.

a new one cost approx RM3k, or a refurbished (recon unit) which is hard to find is estimated to be RM600.00!