[exE36M3]

Hey guys, turned over 62k miles.

When I turn the steering wheel, in motion or at a standstill (engine running), I can hear a popping, clunking noise.

I'm leaning toward a stuck sway bar link or bad strut mount bearing.
Any of you guys run into this yet? Hoping for this route as either are cheap/easy fixes.

Ruled out the clunking/popping/knocking from the steering rack as it doesn't make any of those noises per youtube videos.

Thanks for any tips!

[exE36M3]

FWIW - I gave the steering wheel a few heavy pulls left and right and replicated the noise. It's the dreaded power steering rack bushing thing. Good news, $40-$50 in parts and easy to do.

[andino]

Are you going to DIY or take it to the dealer to have it done? I couldn't find an indy locally that could perform the repair (or who would be willing to without the special tools).

[exE36M3]

andino - I'm going to get the tool and part and give it a try. All the YouTube videos and such show the fix as less than an hour. I c an let you know how it goes. My creaks/pops are somewhat quiet-ish which kind of tells me the rack is only just starting to go. The last YouTube vid I saw, the guy only normally moved his steering wheel before it started banging/clanging. I'm maybe at 1/4 of the noise he has.

[sspade]

Definitely keep us posted. Common issue and Im wondering how the DIY turns out.

[jh_f30]

I know there have been other threads about this, but can you link where you're sourcing the parts? I might try to tackle this in the near future.

[exE36M3]

Will do guys. Pelican parts has the part...
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...-6-891-974-BOE

But the dealer is rumored to have it for pretty cheap if you want to stop by their parts counter.
Part ID is 32-10-6-891-974-BOE

The biggest trick/issue about this repair isn't the difficulty or the time.
It's the stupid tool - msG equipment MS00084 which looks Eastern European in origin, but I can't find anyone selling it online.

BUT I've to a watch tool which may make this work...
Give me a couple of weeks to report on this. I've got business meetings up the whazoo the next couple of weeks. :P

[andino]

There's also the special torque wrench thing they have for the install to measure how tight to make it. None of the indy's had that tool either. Too tight and it can destroy your rack, too loose and you have poor feedback.

[haagm58]

Originally Posted by percychow

Will do guys. Pelican parts has the part...
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...-6-891-974-BOE

But the dealer is rumored to have it for pretty cheap if you want to stop by their parts counter.
Part ID is 32-10-6-891-974-BOE

The biggest trick/issue about this repair isn't the difficulty or the time.
It's the stupid tool - msG equipment MS00084 which looks Eastern European in origin, but I can't find anyone selling it online.

BUT I've to a watch tool which may make this work...
Give me a couple of weeks to report on this. I've got business meetings up the whazoo the next couple of weeks. :P

Thanks for this detail, OP. I, too started noticing this noise on my F30 and have been wondering what it is. It's subtle so far...

[exE36M3]

I pinged MSG this AM... their office is in the Ukraine. I left a message. I'll report back on how that goes.

[sspade]

I have this one.

I'm willing to lend it out if you promise to send back and not damage it.

$5 to cover postage and I can ship tomorrow.

No rush to use it and return it... don't see myself using my repair kit until this summer. Actually excited to see how it works out for you!

Let me know.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F223592942771

[exE36M3]

Hey sspade thank you! They got back to me and quoted about $90 for the part and shipping. That EBAY part! [ laughing ]. Now that is ingenuity!

But super nice of that guy to post the how-to in the auction.

Let me let the part arrive first and I will PM you. Happy to cover shipping costs.
I can youtube/blog the fix experience too.

[jh_f30]

https://www.harborfreight.com/adjust...nch-36554.html

This isn't the BEST solution, but I've found it works for adjustments well enough. Should work for installation, though you wouldn't be able to torque to spec. :