Steering free play when cruising at highway

[Dexter]

WOW this one is a killer... maybe an alternative but i think better get the parts yourself and get a good mechanic. That way future maintenance will be much lesser...

True. As long you know what is the part that you need to change.
some mechanic dont like to share info with their customers.

 

[wingzee]

alex bro

I just changed part number 3 ( lower joint ) and 5 ( swivel joint ) .now ok already no more thud thud sound on the steering when driving on uneven roads.

bought from Bavarian Auto 03-56350000

part number 32306761570 Lower Joint RM 592
part number 32306761571 Swivel Joint RM 325

labour cost RM 60 1 hour job.

total RM 977

Trying to get some feedback as planning to replace both parts this week.

To those who have changed both parts, does it eliminate all the steering free-play and knocking when goes through uneven surfaces totally and once and for all? Or these issues will come back again after some time?

 

[subsonique]

i was gonna post something about this earlier, but took the initiative to search in the forum, and found it! after changing the lower arm and link rod, shock absorbers, i thought the freeplay is gonna be minimized but i was wrong. today on my way to KL, it was raining and it was even worse! it was as if i had to pull the car to the left and to the right just so that i can straighten the car. the freeplay is really bad, now after reading this, perhaps changing the tie rods would be the cheaper option before going for the more expensive options i reckon? damn i feel like i was taming a sidewinder!

 

[wingzee]

i was gonna post something about this earlier, but took the initiative to search in the forum, and found it! after changing the lower arm and link rod, shock absorbers, i thought the freeplay is gonna be minimized but i was wrong. today on my way to KL, it was raining and it was even worse! it was as if i had to pull the car to the left and to the right just so that i can straighten the car. the freeplay is really bad, now after reading this, perhaps changing the tie rods would be the cheaper option before going for the more expensive options i reckon? damn i feel like i was taming a sidewinder!

Tie rods can be one of the causes, which is the cheaper option to eliminate first but most cases are due to the 2 parts as listed. Quite straight-forward to pin point if you have the following symptoms:

1. During idle/stationary, turn steering from left to right and listen for any "kluk" noise. Refer to video below:

[video=youtube;bwT1_Lv9fz4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bwT1_Lv9fz4[/video]

2. Very obvious steering free-play and even more when driving through uneven patches of the road.

3. When #2 happens, loud clunking noise from inside the steering column.

 

[subsonique]

Tie rods can be one of the causes, which is the cheaper option to eliminate first but most cases are due to the 2 parts as listed. Quite straight-forward to pin point if you have the following symptoms:

1. During idle/stationary, turn steering from left to right and listen for any "kluk" noise. Refer to video below:

[video=youtube;bwT1_Lv9fz4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bwT1_Lv9fz4[/video]

2. Very obvious steering free-play and even more when driving through uneven patches of the road.

3. When #2 happens, loud clunking noise from inside the steering column.

oh super! thanks mate!

 

[subsonique]

anyway, anyone knows the price of tie rods? and where is the best place to get them changed? thanks.

 

[Strider74]

Bro Wingzee , Bro subsonique,
Do keep us updated.
I think im having the same problem.

 

[aidilj]

Bro Wingzee , Bro subsonique,
Do keep us updated.
I think im having the same problem.

Hi Bro Strider74, read from page 1 and there are a few tetimonials about this problem and the solutions. No need to wait for more recent occurences.

 

[wingzee]

Bro Wingzee , Bro subsonique,
Do keep us updated.
I think im having the same problem.

I will be doing mine tomorrow. Current symptoms are the same as per the video posted. Very loose steering feel and clunking of steering column at uneven roads. Best place to test is road surrounding Tropicana City Mall which I uses everyday.

Been trying to ignore it for sometime but I decided to just solve it once and for all. Called up BA and prices quoted as below:

P/N 32306761570 Lower Joint RM 525
P/N 32306761571 Swivel Joint RM 310

Not sure about labor charges but shall do it via my usual mech place.

Hi Bro Strider74, read from page 1 and there are a few tetimonials about this problem and the solutions. No need to wait for more recent occurences.

Bro, is yours still holding up well after the replacement? My mech told me that some drivers claimed the same issue reoccur as early as 6 months after replacement.

 

[Strider74]

Hi Bro Strider74, read from page 1 and there are a few tetimonials about this problem and the solutions. No need to wait for more recent occurences.

Bro aidilj, i did,
I just want to know current cost and place to do, since the first post was back in 2009.

 

[aidilj]

Bro, is yours still holding up well after the replacement? My mech told me that some drivers claimed the same issue reoccur as early as 6 months after replacement.

I honestly don't know, probably the gradual degradation is slow enough to adapt to. For me my steering now feels okay, not disconnected to the road.

 

[wingzee]

I honestly don't know, probably the gradual degradation is slow enough to adapt to. For me my steering now feels okay, not disconnected to the road.

alex bro

I just changed part number 3 ( lower joint ) and 5 ( swivel joint ) .now ok already no more thud thud sound on the steering when driving on uneven roads.

bought from Bavarian Auto 03-56350000

part number 32306761570 Lower Joint RM 592
part number 32306761571 Swivel Joint RM 325

labour cost RM 60 1 hour job.

total RM 977

Okay replaced both items today and here's my feedback:

- Steering freeplay gone. No more loose steering feel. Steering feels tout and steady. Much improvement.
- Still minor clunking sound. But instead of clunking when going through uneven roads, clunking sound heard only when turning the wheel. Suspect culprit to be some part inside the steering column now since lower joint and swivel u-joint replaced.

 

[subsonique]

so, the snake head movement is all gone already?

 

[Dexter]

Okay replaced both items today and here's my feedback: - Steering freeplay gone. No more loose steering feel. Steering feels tout and steady. Much improvement. - Still minor clunking sound. But instead of clunking when going through uneven roads, clunking sound heard only when turning the wheel. Suspect culprit to be some part inside the steering column now since lower joint and swivel u-joint replaced.

after three years changed the parts everything still good !

anyway wingzee, have you checked your lower arms?

 

[Alex5522]

after three years changed the parts everything still good !

anyway wingzee, have you checked your lower arms?

Dexter,

Wingzee no need to check the lower arms for his previous e46 any more cause he change his ride to 320d aldy lol..