Knocking Steering issue

subby · Post by **subby** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:13 pm

Hi,

Ive got a problem with my 03 3.0i.

When stationary - wiggling the steering from side to side produces a knocking sound. Its very hard to pinpoint where its coming from, but it seems like the column/rack area.

The noise is also produced when going over certain speed bumps at certain angles. It doesnt always do it, but when it does its very noticable and really is a nasty clunk/knocking.

So far ive replaced bottom arms (including rear bush), and drop links. Ive checked all inner and outer track rod ends, and everything is perfect with no play.

Now, im assuming the problem is the column, as this is the usual culprit. But im not experiencing the sticky steering issue, this is purely a knocking sound.

Has anyone else experienced this ? Could it be the rack itself ? I cant seem to find anyone else with this specific problem.

The car has been to one local garage who said its the column or the rack, and its also been to a BMW specialist who said its the column.

Thanks!

fixit man · Post by **fixit man** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:16 pm

subby wrote:Hi,

Ive got a problem with my 03 3.0i.

When stationary - wiggling the steering from side to side produces a knocking sound. Its very hard to pinpoint where its coming from, but it seems like the column/rack area.

The noise is also produced when going over certain speed bumps at certain angles. It doesnt always do it, but when it does its very noticable and really is a nasty clunk/knocking.

So far ive replaced bottom arms (including rear bush), and drop links. Ive checked all inner and outer track rod ends, and everything is perfect with no play.

Now, im assuming the problem is the column, as this is the usual culprit. But im not experiencing the sticky steering issue, this is purely a knocking sound.

Has anyone else experienced this ? Could it be the rack itself ? I cant seem to find anyone else with this specific problem.

The car has been to one local garage who said its the column or the rack, and its also been to a BMW specialist who said its the column.

Thanks!

Try the strut supports in the engine bay, they often come loose and can cause the noises you are talking about !

subby · Post by **subby** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:23 pm

thanks for the reply! (sorry just realised its in the wrong section...monday morning!!!)

Do you mean the strut braces or the top of the actual strut mounting ?

Thanks.

fixit man · Post by **fixit man** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:05 pm

subby wrote:thanks for the reply! (sorry just realised its in the wrong section...monday morning!!!)

Do you mean the strut braces or the top of the actual strut mounting ?

Thanks.

Hi, yeah the strut braces..I meant, you've probably checked them ? which section should it be in then ?

subby · Post by **subby** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:08 pm

Yea i think i have checked them a while ago when it started but will check them again

.

I guess i should have put in in the 'problems' forum and not the 'discussion' one.

Thanks

FixMyZ4 · Post by **FixMyZ4** » Fri May 03, 2024 1:43 pm

Have revisited post, as I had the same issue.
Rocking wheel side to side produced knocking as it seem in actual electric column in cabin.

Long story short:
It is a "vertical" screw mounting column in possition, but it is on some sort of slotted gap for adjustment.
I would need to make a pic maybe.
There are several screws, that tighten column itself - easily accesible from bottom (torx socket)
But there is on at very back of whole assembly - i think it was 13mm
If you lay on your back looking up the collumn (that is how I done it - roof down, legs out) nut is to the right.

I've tighten it about 1/4, mayby more and all knocking stopped.
Hope it helps someone.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri May 03, 2024 4:43 pm

FixMyZ4 wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 1:43 pm Have revisited post, as I had the same issue.
Rocking wheel side to side produced knocking as it seem in actual electric column in cabin.

Long story short:
It is a "vertical" screw mounting column in possition, but it is on some sort of slotted gap for adjustment.
I would need to make a pic maybe.
There are several screws, that tighten column itself - easily accesible from bottom (torx socket)
But there is on at very back of whole assembly - i think it was 13mm
If you lay on your back looking up the collumn (that is how I done it - roof down, legs out) nut is to the right.

I've tighten it about 1/4, mayby more and all knocking stopped.
Hope it helps someone.

Not quite sure what you are referring to?
The column is mounted with 8 bolts, all 13mm head.
The bottom two do indeed pass through an open slotted fixing. This is not for adjustment, but to enable you to put those two bolts in and slot the column in to take the weight while you bolt the rest in. The fact that the other six bolts pass through standard holes means it would not be possible to adjust the column's alignment.

FixMyZ4 · Post by **FixMyZ4** » Sun May 05, 2024 6:22 pm

I believe we do talk about the same thing enuff_zed
It was this that "install assist" bolt as you described it in "open slotted fixing", that was source of knocking for me.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun May 05, 2024 7:05 pm

FixMyZ4 wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 6:22 pm I believe we do talk about the same thing enuff_zed
It was this that "install assist" bolt as you described it in "open slotted fixing", that was source of knocking for me.

OK, so it aounds like yours was a simple case of a mounting not being tight?
Always good to check the simple answers first.

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