Possible steering rack fault, please help

4fooksake · 11-07-2018, 02:24 PM

My wife has been driving the car for the last few weeks, I got into the car tonight and wiggled the steering wheel with the ignition off and I could hear a knocking noise. Is this a normal noise when the ignition is off, there is no noise when the car is running. My extended warranty runs out on the 24th November, should I get it booked in to have it looked at or am I worrying about nothing?

beerglass007 · 11-07-2018, 02:37 PM

It will knock when engine off and you shouldn't do this...its putting pressure on the rack without the pump running

Hooded · 11-07-2018, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4fooksake

My wife has been driving the car for the last few weeks, I got into the car tonight and wiggled the steering wheel with the ignition off and I could hear a knocking noise. Is this a normal noise when the ignition is off, there is no noise when the car is running. My extended warranty runs out on the 24th November, should I get it booked in to have it looked at or am I worrying about nothing?

I'd get it booked in if you have a warranty, it's a common problem on these cars but it's not actually 'normal'.

muffking · 11-07-2018, 03:29 PM

Mine's the same and I've an MOT on Monday. A mild knock when the engine is off, but don't notice it when driving or parking. Fingers crossed for the MOT.

Hooded · 11-07-2018, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

Mine's the same and I've an MOT on Monday. A mild knock when the engine is off, but don't notice it when driving or parking. Fingers crossed for the MOT.

It'll pass the MOT no problem I'm sure. I bet if you move the steering wheel a few millimetres while stationary with the engine running the front wheel will move slightly, as the knocking doesn't actually cause excessive play in the steering from what I've been told.

liam_ · 11-08-2018, 04:10 AM

I took mine in a few months ago for the same issue, apparently it's normal for it to knock like that...

I wasn't too convinced, so I'll be asking them to take another look during its next service.

beerglass007 · 11-08-2018, 02:48 PM

It is normal, please don't steer the car when power steering pump if off. Lots of cars knocked like this, not just F30

I know its a weak point of the F30 but this type of knocking when I engine isn't running is normal for many cars and NOT a good idea to keep doing it

Public forums can be a real dangerous place and not always correct

TouringPleb · 11-08-2018, 03:04 PM

I don't understand why you would wiggle the steering wheel without the engine on?

For what purpose?

pdk42 · 11-08-2018, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I don't understand why you would wiggle the steering wheel without the engine on?

For what purpose?

To see if it knocks!

beerglass007 · 11-08-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdk42

To see if it knocks!

And it will because your putting strain on the steering rack

DOH

lobeydosser · 11-08-2018, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerglass007

It is normal, please don't steer the car when power steering pump if off. Lots of cars knocked like this, not just F30

I know its a weak point of the F30 but this type of knocking when I engine isn't running is normal for many cars and NOT a good idea to keep doing it

Public forums can be a real dangerous place and not always correct

Mmm -

what "pump" is this of which you speak?

I stand to be corrected, but I thought all F3xs were electric power-assisted steering, not hydraulic.

bimmer456 · 11-08-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerglass007

It will knock when engine off and you shouldn't do this...its putting pressure on the rack without the pump running

You mean the electric power assist?

muffking · 11-12-2018, 10:37 AM

Just to follow up on my MOT, it passed today with no advisors despite a light knock being evident when the engine is running.

4fooksake · 11-12-2018, 11:42 AM

I popped into bmw today and one of the technicians came out to have a look, he said that it was nothing to be concerned about. So all is good

kingmonkey8 · 11-13-2018, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4fooksake

My wife has been driving the car for the last few weeks, I got into the car tonight and wiggled the steering wheel with the ignition off and I could hear a knocking noise. Is this a normal noise when the ignition is off, there is no noise when the car is running. My extended warranty runs out on the 24th November, should I get it booked in to have it looked at or am I worrying about nothing?

Apparently affects all the steering racks some worse than others and depending on mileage.
BMW has issued a fix to replace the steering gear thrust peice.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1544879

Get it booked in whilst it's still under warranty.

beerglass007 · 12-21-2018, 11:17 AM

Had my car serviced today and told that the knocking is normal when engine off. They said its the pump which isn't running and advised not to keep doing it. Which is what I've been telling everyone before. BMW agreed with me. Of course this is just one dealership

Dr. Anil K · 01-01-2019, 04:25 AM

Hi

I have a 2015 May manufactured F30 320d. Rat has damaged the cable connecting the torque sensor to the power steering module. it has three wires. BMW repaired it. But they did not replace the cable. I could not get the part number for it. I want to replace it with new cable. Can anyone help me with part number ?

Reagrds

speedski · 01-01-2019, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Anil K

Hi

I have a 2015 May manufactured F30 320d. Rat has damaged the cable connecting the torque sensor to the power steering module. it has three wires. BMW repaired it. But they did not replace the cable. I could not get the part number for it. I want to replace it with new cable. Can anyone help me with part number ?

Reagrds

Check here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...BMW-320d&mg=32

454697819 · 01-01-2019, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liam_

I took mine in a few months ago for the same issue, apparently it's normal for it to knock like that...

I wasn't too convinced, so I'll be asking them to take another look during its next service.

This, I had to sit in the showroom car and rear it to be sure, and they weren’t full of bs, if it knocks with the engine running that’s a separate matter.

ryanwarriors9 · 01-01-2019, 02:14 PM

Yehh when engine is off everyones will knock and you shouldnt be trying to turn the wheel when its off.

If there is a knock when engine is turned on you will have the issue. . . . there is a kit you can buy to solve this (around £90 from bmw) without having to pay for a new rack.

There is a specialist over manchester way who has done a lot of these supplied and fitted recently Think its Darren woods

11-07-2018, 02:24 PM	#1
4fooksake Private 26 Rep 68 Posts Drives: F31 touring Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Possible steering rack fault, please help My wife has been driving the car for the last few weeks, I got into the car tonight and wiggled the steering wheel with the ignition off and I could hear a knocking noise. Is this a normal noise when the ignition is off, there is no noise when the car is running. My extended warranty runs out on the 24th November, should I get it booked in to have it looked at or am I worrying about nothing?
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11-07-2018, 02:37 PM	#2
beerglass007 Lieutenant 231 Rep 560 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	It will knock when engine off and you shouldn't do this...its putting pressure on the rack without the pump running
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11-07-2018, 03:29 PM	#4
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Mine's the same and I've an MOT on Monday. A mild knock when the engine is off, but don't notice it when driving or parking. Fingers crossed for the MOT. __________________
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11-08-2018, 04:10 AM	#6
liam_ Private 11 Rep 56 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	I took mine in a few months ago for the same issue, apparently it's normal for it to knock like that... I wasn't too convinced, so I'll be asking them to take another look during its next service. __________________ BMW G20 M340i - Black Sapphire
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11-08-2018, 02:48 PM	#7
beerglass007 Lieutenant 231 Rep 560 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	It is normal, please don't steer the car when power steering pump if off. Lots of cars knocked like this, not just F30 I know its a weak point of the F30 but this type of knocking when I engine isn't running is normal for many cars and NOT a good idea to keep doing it Public forums can be a real dangerous place and not always correct
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11-08-2018, 03:04 PM	#8
TouringPleb Brigadier General 4370 Rep 4,229 Posts Drives: SRB 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cambs iTrader: (0)	I don't understand why you would wiggle the steering wheel without the engine on? For what purpose?
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11-12-2018, 10:37 AM	#13
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Just to follow up on my MOT, it passed today with no advisors despite a light knock being evident when the engine is running. __________________
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11-12-2018, 11:42 AM	#14
4fooksake Private 26 Rep 68 Posts Drives: F31 touring Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	I popped into bmw today and one of the technicians came out to have a look, he said that it was nothing to be concerned about. So all is good
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12-21-2018, 11:17 AM	#16
beerglass007 Lieutenant 231 Rep 560 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Had my car serviced today and told that the knocking is normal when engine off. They said its the pump which isn't running and advised not to keep doing it. Which is what I've been telling everyone before. BMW agreed with me. Of course this is just one dealership
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01-01-2019, 04:25 AM	#17
Dr. Anil K Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 320d F30 2015 May India Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: India - Bangalore iTrader: (0)	Hi I have a 2015 May manufactured F30 320d. Rat has damaged the cable connecting the torque sensor to the power steering module. it has three wires. BMW repaired it. But they did not replace the cable. I could not get the part number for it. I want to replace it with new cable. Can anyone help me with part number ? Reagrds
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01-01-2019, 02:14 PM	#20
ryanwarriors9 Lieutenant 199 Rep 585 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wakefield iTrader: (0)	Yehh when engine is off everyones will knock and you shouldnt be trying to turn the wheel when its off. If there is a knock when engine is turned on you will have the issue. . . . there is a kit you can buy to solve this (around £90 from bmw) without having to pay for a new rack. There is a specialist over manchester way who has done a lot of these supplied and fitted recently Think its Darren woods
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