suspension issue driver front side over bumps

Whatsnext · 10-05-2020, 09:27 PM

On my F30 something just doesn't feel right going over bumps on the driver front area. Something in the suspension seems off or loose. What could go bad just to help me narrow it down. The car has 122k. No other suspension issues.

328iX · 10-05-2020, 09:58 PM

If your struts & strut top hat's are original it's more than likely your strut, if not check your sway bar end links.

Whatsnext · 10-06-2020, 08:27 AM

They are original.

njdangelo · 10-06-2020, 08:49 AM

Do you have VSS? I had a similar issue that ended up being the dampers in the front struts. Replaced under warranty

smrtypants44 · 10-06-2020, 10:47 AM

I had the same issue and it was that chronic f3x steering rack issue- the dealer replaced the rack for me but theres a repair kit available.

Whatsnext · 10-07-2020, 07:56 PM

Isn't the steering rack expensive? I hit a blown tire on the interstate and while in the body shop I told them of the issue. They said if it was a steering rack issue they would total the car. Clearly the shop didn't look into the issue as it still exists. They said nothing was wrong with the front end suspension.

therealm3 · 10-08-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

I had the same issue and it was that chronic f3x steering rack issue- the dealer replaced the rack for me but theres a repair kit available.

Check this.

Buy the three prong tool and a 24mm wrench. Tighten the cap about 1/16 of a turn and see if the noise goes away or if it gets better. If so order the repair kit for ~$25 and do it. I just tightened mine over the weekend and all my rattles are gone.

Several threads on here about the repair kit and some good DIY on you tube too.

Whatsnext · 10-21-2020, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

I had the same issue and it was that chronic f3x steering rack issue- the dealer replaced the rack for me but theres a repair kit available.

Well the steering rack is at least partially at fault and may end up being the entire issue. I have the repair kit and now waiting on the grease to come in. I do need to find the proper tool to install. I see on Ebay they carry it but unless I buy from China it is about $50. There has to be another place to buy it. I hate to spend $50 on a tool I will never use again.

EvenKeel · 10-21-2020, 09:24 AM

Is the car equipped with EDC?

Momir13 · 10-21-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenKeel

Is the car equipped with EDC?

If you have any advice I'll take it
I'm xdrive edc

Same front left annoyance(intermittent clunking /undulation) , especially when turning left into my neighborhood, dependent upon road surface otherwise

Was CPO took it to dealer said front left struts leaking not covered blah blah

Upgraded to B6 edcs switched mounts too still noise.

New tires still noise

Steering rack repair kit at local Indy steering feels much better but still the noise and undulation.

Doing sway bar end links when they arrive but am at wits end lol

Korvo · 10-21-2020, 10:22 AM

I'm interested in this. OP, I'd be willing to buy the tool after you use it. I have the repair kit and for the longest time, thought it was something I'd have to have done at the dealer. They wouldn't do it and since then, I've seen a DIY. They made it look easy.

To those that have done it, how easy is it to install the repair kit?

It gets worse when cold, right? Mine is worse when cold and in comfort.

Whatsnext · 10-23-2020, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korvo

I'm interested in this. OP, I'd be willing to buy the tool after you use it. I have the repair kit and for the longest time, thought it was something I'd have to have done at the dealer. They wouldn't do it and since then, I've seen a DIY. They made it look easy.

To those that have done it, how easy is it to install the repair kit?

It gets worse when cold, right? Mine is worse when cold and in comfort.

I will work on getting the part and keep you posted. Would be good to sell it since it is one of those tools you will never use again. I am still trying to figure out how tight to turn the new one. I have read/watched the part will essentially keep turning so you need to know the proper tightness or amount of turns.

328iX · 10-23-2020, 11:11 PM

The steering issue is really easy to diagnose. Just move your steering wheel back and forth while the car is off, Should make a very audible clunk/thud with each movement.

TK335iMSPT · 10-24-2020, 12:59 AM

I did the steering rack fix as well as replaced the front end links and im still getting a clunk while going over bumps. No clunk when turning the wheel though. Im non EDC on xdrive. 60k miles. Going to have a shop check it out at some point.

EvenKeel · 10-26-2020, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momir13

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenKeel

Is the car equipped with EDC?

If you have any advice I'll take it
I'm xdrive edc

Same front left annoyance(intermittent clunking /undulation) , especially when turning left into my neighborhood, dependent upon road surface otherwise

Was CPO took it to dealer said front left struts leaking not covered blah blah

Upgraded to B6 edcs switched mounts too still noise.

New tires still noise

Steering rack repair kit at local Indy steering feels much better but still the noise and undulation.

Doing sway bar end links when they arrive but am at wits end lol

My noise ended up being the EDC damper. Once the dealer replaced the front dampers, my issue went away.

Clunk when turning could likely be tie rod ends.

Whatsnext · 11-08-2020, 08:42 AM

If anyone is interested in the tool to remove the part for the steering rack let me know. I did this fix yesterday and it resolved my front clunking noise and my steering wheel noise. I also have the BMW FB-1 lube as well if anyone needs that. You have to buy a tube for $15 but only need a little for the job.
I messaged Korvo since he inquired first about the part but if he isn't interested it is for sale. I figure we can keep selling this from member to member each time reducing the price so we all get a break.

rayr2018 · 11-08-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momir13

Doing sway bar end links when they arrive but am at wits end lol

did you get this done yet, any improvement?

10-05-2020, 09:27 PM	#1
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	suspension issue driver front side over bumps On my F30 something just doesn't feel right going over bumps on the driver front area. Something in the suspension seems off or loose. What could go bad just to help me narrow it down. The car has 122k. No other suspension issues.
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10-05-2020, 09:58 PM	#2
328iX David 786 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	If your struts & strut top hat's are original it's more than likely your strut, if not check your sway bar end links. __________________ F31 Suspension guide & discussion
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10-06-2020, 08:27 AM	#3
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	They are original.
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10-06-2020, 08:49 AM	#4
njdangelo Captain 436 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 2019 x5 50i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	Do you have VSS? I had a similar issue that ended up being the dampers in the front struts. Replaced under warranty __________________ 2019 x5 50i - current 2016 340i THP stage 2 - gone but not forgotten.
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10-06-2020, 10:47 AM	#5
smrtypants44 Captain 518 Rep 895 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tulsa, OK iTrader: (2)	I had the same issue and it was that chronic f3x steering rack issue- the dealer replaced the rack for me but theres a repair kit available. __________________
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10-07-2020, 07:56 PM	#6
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Isn't the steering rack expensive? I hit a blown tire on the interstate and while in the body shop I told them of the issue. They said if it was a steering rack issue they would total the car. Clearly the shop didn't look into the issue as it still exists. They said nothing was wrong with the front end suspension.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-21-2020, 09:24 AM	#9
EvenKeel Captain 418 Rep 886 Posts Drives: Sedan Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Is the car equipped with EDC?
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10-21-2020, 10:22 AM	#11
Korvo Respect My Authoritah 368 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (2)	I'm interested in this. OP, I'd be willing to buy the tool after you use it. I have the repair kit and for the longest time, thought it was something I'd have to have done at the dealer. They wouldn't do it and since then, I've seen a DIY. They made it look easy. To those that have done it, how easy is it to install the repair kit? It gets worse when cold, right? Mine is worse when cold and in comfort. __________________ 2014 335xi M-Sport 6MT: Estoril Blue II, MHD Stage 2+ , Dinan Exhaust, Dinan CAI, ER Catted DP, ER Chargepipe, AA FMIC.
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10-23-2020, 11:11 PM	#13
328iX David 786 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	The steering issue is really easy to diagnose. Just move your steering wheel back and forth while the car is off, Should make a very audible clunk/thud with each movement. __________________ F31 Suspension guide & discussion
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2020, 12:59 AM	#14
TK335iMSPT Lieutenant 299 Rep 479 Posts Drives: F30 335ixdrive M Sport Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (3)	I did the steering rack fix as well as replaced the front end links and im still getting a clunk while going over bumps. No clunk when turning the wheel though. Im non EDC on xdrive. 60k miles. Going to have a shop check it out at some point.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2020, 08:42 AM	#16
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	If anyone is interested in the tool to remove the part for the steering rack let me know. I did this fix yesterday and it resolved my front clunking noise and my steering wheel noise. I also have the BMW FB-1 lube as well if anyone needs that. You have to buy a tube for $15 but only need a little for the job. I messaged Korvo since he inquired first about the part but if he isn't interested it is for sale. I figure we can keep selling this from member to member each time reducing the price so we all get a break.
	Appreciate 0 Quote