[roastie]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help with identifying where a knocking noise/feeling is coming from on my 2016 320D M Sport.

I have a knocking noise that I can also feel sometimes through steering wheel but also through pedals.

It occurs in hot weather only and also once the car has been running for 10+ mins.

The knocking noise/feeling occurs when I pull away and the momentum of the car changes from stationary to moving forward. I get the same as the brakes are applied and the momentum of the car changes from forwards to stopped. Also sometimes there is a similar knock when the brakes are applied.

As mentioned, it only happens in hot weather (25+ degrees celcius) and when the car has warmed up. Have done several 100+ mile journeys in cold weather a couple of months back without the issue happening.

I had the same problems in the hot weather last year but with COVID was unable to get it to a garage.

Would be great to get some advice on what might be causing the issues and what should be checked.

Thanks in advance.

[auburnf30x]

Quick question that may help guide the diagnosis...how many miles/km are on your car?

[roastie]

Just ticked over 40,000 miles. Had a MOT in January and no issues reported.

[cfm56d7b]

Does the knocking sound occur once, i.e. when the momentum shifts die to acceleration or braking?

With remote diagnostics being what they are (all caveats apply ...)

It _might_ be caused by worn front control arm bushings. The rubber piece around the connector wears out and the connector increasingly has more space to wiggle. Braking puts a lot of stress on front arm bushings and based on the reported symptoms it would be prudent have an experienced shop inspect the front control arms.

Does your car exhibit any uneven tire wear?

[roastie]

Will need to check tyre wear to be sure but I think there is some uneven wear.

Yeah the knocking sound/feeling occurs once each time momentum shifts. Either from stop to start or from rolling to stop.

[dmaxdmax]

If you don't have a way to get your car jacked up, you can drive one side up along a curb and slide under with a sheet of cardboard and a good led flashlight and have a look around.

If you hit a large pothole and/or someone else drives your car...you never know. It does sound like a bushing failed or maybe a ball joint took some damage. Maybe you'll see something...look for fluid out of the shocks as a telltale sign it took a big hit.

If not, a shop should be able to move things around with massive tools and see what's failed.

BTW, you might check the tightness of things like the caliper bracket, wheel lug bolts...especially if you've had the wheels off recently.

[njdangelo]

is it coinciding with a gear shift? I know 1st to 2nd shift can be kinda weird sometimes. same with the opposite direction.

[roastie]

Nothing been hit and only me driving it these past couple of years. No leaking fluid that I can see.

It doesn't coincide with a gear shift, just when moving off or coming to a stop. Had it today again when the weather was warm, was even doing it as we were rolling along in traffic.

In the UK we had rain this afternoon and the weather cooled. Within 10 minutes the noise stopped. I find it strange is only in warm weather, not sure if that indicates is more likely to be a metal or rubber part at fault.

Taking it to dealer early next week for checks.

[Dibbles00]

Hi Roastie,
Any resolution to your issue? I've got the exact same symptoms (front knock when hot ambient temps), and I think it may be the inner tie rod ball joints.

Vehicle Type with issue
2016 LCI Auto F31 320d M Sport

Cheers

[roastie]

Hi,

With the hot weather in the UK, I finally managed to get a diagnosis. When it was hot my local indy BMW garage found loads of play in a rubber bush within the steering rack.

They are looking into a specialist company to do the work for me and quoted around £300 + labor to fix it.

Looking to get mine done in a few weeks though.

[beematthews]

Hi, the symptoms which you describe are the same as I’m experiencing. Very hot today and I’m getting serious knocking sounds when stopping and starting moving at low speeds. Don’t get it at higher speeds, or at least I don’t hear it. Also don’t get it in cooler weather.

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by roastie

Hi,

With the hot weather in the UK, I finally managed to get a diagnosis. When it was hot my local indy BMW garage found loads of play in a rubber bush within the steering rack.

They are looking into a specialist company to do the work for me and quoted around £300 + labor to fix it.

Looking to get mine done in a few weeks though.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...MW-340iX&mg=32

Curious what rubber bushing this might be. Closest is the steering shaft sleeve, and I have a feeling that lasts forever. Maybe he means control arm bushing?

[Danb97]

Hi roastie, did the work from the diagnosis you got get rid of the knocking? I have the same issue you described with my 2017 320D and it's driving me mad!

[AllaVodka]

I had a knock and turned out both (L/R) of my UCA (thrust arm) bushings were cracked.

I'm getting VAC UCA and LCA put on the car td

[Allworth]

Exactly same issue as OP described.
I was thinking grease gets thinner during high temperatures thus causing some parts to move more freely. Maybe track rod ends?

[Allworth]

Before it gets hot and the knocking starts to appear, has anybody got to the bottom of it?
Also, is it a coincidence as my car is similar spec to OP.
58k miles

I will probably gonna go ahead with 32106891974 steering rack repair kit, as it seems lots of people got similar problem and is my best guess, but not everyone coincide it with hot weather

[johnk1981]

Originally Posted by roastie

Hi,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help with identifying where a knocking noise/feeling is coming from on my 2016 320D M Sport.

I have a knocking noise that I can also feel sometimes through steering wheel but also through pedals.

It occurs in hot weather only and also once the car has been running for 10+ mins.

The knocking noise/feeling occurs when I pull away and the momentum of the car changes from stationary to moving forward. I get the same as the brakes are applied and the momentum of the car changes from forwards to stopped. Also sometimes there is a similar knock when the brakes are applied.

As mentioned, it only happens in hot weather (25+ degrees celcius) and when the car has warmed up. Have done several 100+ mile journeys in cold weather a couple of months back without the issue happening.

I had the same problems in the hot weather last year but with COVID was unable to get it to a garage.

Would be great to get some advice on what might be causing the issues and what should be checked.

Thanks in advance.

Hello dear friend,

I own a f30 316D 2015MY and I am experiencing the same knocking issue, only when weather temperatures are above 25 degrees. The BMW dealership in Athens hasn't been able to solve the issue or identify the cause of this noise. Nor has a local garage near my house.

Since it has been a year since your first post have you managed to solve the problem in your car?

I would really appreciate a reply on it.

Regards

[fireman_888]

Hi, Did anyone ver get any resolution to this problem? I have exactly the same car and year as the OP and have exactly the same issue.

2016 320D M Sport

Ive searched on a few other forums and it seems a few other people have had the same problem but no one seems to have come up with a definitive remedy.

Ive heard that its possibly the tie rod ends (are they track rod ends UK?) Its weird that it only happens in the hot weather such as we are having now.

These intermittent problems are they worst as they always seem to disappear when you get to the garage.

Its driving me insane, its nearly as annoying as that coin that lodged in the centre consul and keeps rolling around every time I turn a corner.

Hoping for a fix or the return of cooler weather!

[AARON1569]

Any updates from anyone, every post I go on OP disappears and never updates?