Steering rack repair kit

Allworth · 04-30-2022, 10:27 AM

I have a knock in my steering wheel during hot weather. After reading and watching a lot of videos I decided to buy a steering rack kit (32106891974) that most of F30 seems to have, but when actually got under the car it appears to be different make and size.

-Anyone knows the part number of a kit for my bushing?
-How do you get the piston out of bushing, it does not wobble and no elements for catch to pull it out?
-Are there different steering racks ?
Some picture comparison of a bushing's nut and a piston inside the bushing that I could not get out.

320ED K756433

im_an_alien · 04-30-2022, 10:44 AM

The part you bought is probably the revised version. I took my car in to the dealer for a steering rack knock, they attempted to use the repair kit but couldn't because it wouldn't fit so they ended up replacing the entire rack. Others have been able to use the kit though, depends on which rack is installed in your car.

JoHnMuir · 04-30-2022, 02:43 PM

You appear to have a ZF rack and bought a repair kit for the ThyssenKrupp rack. I don't know if there is a repair kit for the ZF rack, I haven't seen one in my searches.

Allworth · 04-30-2022, 04:47 PM

Thanks for info.
Only manual I was able to find about ZF rack seem to have same adjusting screw, but the yoke appears to be different from what I have. struggle continues.
Hopefully I can eliminate the noise by just tightening the adjusting screw. Now waiting for a hot days to find out!

eluded · 05-01-2022, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

The part you bought is probably the revised version. I took my car in to the dealer for a steering rack knock, they attempted to use the repair kit but couldn't because it wouldn't fit so they ended up replacing the entire rack. Others have been able to use the kit though, depends on which rack is installed in your car.

That is my story

tonypivo · 10-20-2022, 05:12 AM

Hi Allworth

did you manage to get this fixed?

my 2018 320i steering rack started clunking and I am not really looking forward to a rack replacement

Allworth · 10-24-2022, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonypivo

Hi Allworth

did you manage to get this fixed?

my 2018 320i steering rack started clunking and I am not really looking forward to a rack replacement

Hi, no I have not. I have postponed this to the next oil change when I will be under the car. What I am going to do is just tightening the nut slightly, hopefully this will fix the issue. I do not have the symptoms right now anyway, as it isn't hot outside.

F32Spawn · 02-24-2023, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allworth

Hi, no I have not. I have postponed this to the next oil change when I will be under the car. What I am going to do is just tightening the nut slightly, hopefully this will fix the issue. I do not have the symptoms right now anyway, as it isn't hot outside.

Hey have resolved this issue? I was about to do the repair until I looked at my steering rack and realized it looks the same as yours.

bryanbrian · 02-27-2023, 07:43 PM

About 4 years ago, I took my 2012 328i for a wheel alignment at the dealership. Once they looked at my car, they said they would be replacing the entire steering column free of charge. As far as I know there was never a public recall on this. The car was well out of warranty at that point. Anybody else ever hear of this?

Allworth · 06-29-2023, 11:07 AM

Anyone still looking to fix knocking on ZF rack, go to link to see solution
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2028635
tonypivo
F32Spawn

TurboWeasel · 06-30-2023, 07:09 PM

Good stuff.

You may find the adjustment cap is a seasonal thing and you may have to wind it in, in or back it out, depending on feel as the temperature rises or falls.

Ideally the tensioning block needs to come out and be repacked with either the BMW steering grease, or a silicon grease designed for sliding plastic parts, such as sunroof channel grease.

The ThyssenKrupp repair kit replaces the original one piece tensioning block with a different material with PTFE inserts. Interesting ZF never offered such a repair kit.

BMW's prescribed procedure for the repair kit is extremely involved, using half a dozen different special tools to set the correct tension. And that method doesn't guarantee a steering feel you agree with, so it's a subjective thing.

Even when new and correctly setup, the steering weight varies with temperature. It's just a crappy BMW thing. My old Golfs with a ZF EPS rack felt consistent all year round and had considerably stronger self centering. BMW have never been able to achieve a decent steering feel.

04-30-2022, 10:27 AM	#1
Allworth First Lieutenant 207 Rep 393 Posts Drives: X1 xDrive20d (E84) Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Stoke-on-Trent iTrader: (0)	Steering rack repair kit I have a knock in my steering wheel during hot weather. After reading and watching a lot of videos I decided to buy a steering rack kit (32106891974) that most of F30 seems to have, but when actually got under the car it appears to be different make and size. -Anyone knows the part number of a kit for my bushing? -How do you get the piston out of bushing, it does not wobble and no elements for catch to pull it out? -Are there different steering racks ? Some picture comparison of a bushing's nut and a piston inside the bushing that I could not get out. 320ED K756433 Attached Images
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04-30-2022, 10:44 AM	#2
im_an_alien Lieutenant Colonel 1151 Rep 1,520 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Florida/NH iTrader: (0)	The part you bought is probably the revised version. I took my car in to the dealer for a steering rack knock, they attempted to use the repair kit but couldn't because it wouldn't fit so they ended up replacing the entire rack. Others have been able to use the kit though, depends on which rack is installed in your car.
	Appreciate 1 Allworth207.00 Quote

04-30-2022, 02:43 PM	#3
JoHnMuir Private First Class 70 Rep 131 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	You appear to have a ZF rack and bought a repair kit for the ThyssenKrupp rack. I don't know if there is a repair kit for the ZF rack, I haven't seen one in my searches.
	Appreciate 1 Allworth207.00 Quote

04-30-2022, 04:47 PM	#4
Allworth First Lieutenant 207 Rep 393 Posts Drives: X1 xDrive20d (E84) Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Stoke-on-Trent iTrader: (0)	Thanks for info. Only manual I was able to find about ZF rack seem to have same adjusting screw, but the yoke appears to be different from what I have. struggle continues. Hopefully I can eliminate the noise by just tightening the adjusting screw. Now waiting for a hot days to find out! Attached Images
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10-20-2022, 05:12 AM	#6
tonypivo Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: F31 320i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Tallinn, Estonia iTrader: (0)	Hi Allworth did you manage to get this fixed? my 2018 320i steering rack started clunking and I am not really looking forward to a rack replacement
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02-27-2023, 07:43 PM	#9
bryanbrian Private 26 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	About 4 years ago, I took my 2012 328i for a wheel alignment at the dealership. Once they looked at my car, they said they would be replacing the entire steering column free of charge. As far as I know there was never a public recall on this. The car was well out of warranty at that point. Anybody else ever hear of this?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-29-2023, 11:07 AM	#10
Allworth First Lieutenant 207 Rep 393 Posts Drives: X1 xDrive20d (E84) Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Stoke-on-Trent iTrader: (0)	Anyone still looking to fix knocking on ZF rack, go to link to see solution https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2028635 tonypivo F32Spawn
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06-30-2023, 07:09 PM	#11
TurboWeasel Major 829 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: BMW 330D Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Good stuff. You may find the adjustment cap is a seasonal thing and you may have to wind it in, in or back it out, depending on feel as the temperature rises or falls. Ideally the tensioning block needs to come out and be repacked with either the BMW steering grease, or a silicon grease designed for sliding plastic parts, such as sunroof channel grease. The ThyssenKrupp repair kit replaces the original one piece tensioning block with a different material with PTFE inserts. Interesting ZF never offered such a repair kit. BMW's prescribed procedure for the repair kit is extremely involved, using half a dozen different special tools to set the correct tension. And that method doesn't guarantee a steering feel you agree with, so it's a subjective thing. Even when new and correctly setup, the steering weight varies with temperature. It's just a crappy BMW thing. My old Golfs with a ZF EPS rack felt consistent all year round and had considerably stronger self centering. BMW have never been able to achieve a decent steering feel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote