Possible steering rack issue - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Gen_E92 · 12-14-2011, 10:44 PM

I've been getting this noise for about a month now and it's been getting worse, although the video makes it sound abit worse than in person. It's loudest while parking, and non-existent if I go above 20mph, which makes sense because the faster I go the less load on the steering system.

My mechanic and the dealer both suggests it's the steering rack although no detailed diagnosis was done yet. Dealer wants 3k for replacing the rack so I'm trying to see if I can find one from a junk yard. Anyone else ever experienced or heard of this issue?

Volasko · 12-14-2011, 11:03 PM

Good god that sounds horrible... I don't really know what that could be? Other than the sound do you notice it when you are driving?

ie) The car doesn't steer as precise as it should?

Gen_E92 · 12-16-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volasko

Good god that sounds horrible... I don't really know what that could be? Other than the sound do you notice it when you are driving?

ie) The car doesn't steer as precise as it should?

The car feels fine, but the scary thing is I might lose steering someday if I don't get it fixed

fdriller9 · 12-17-2011, 07:43 PM

Have you check the fluid level in the power steering res?

Also, most dealerships do not install customer sourced parts. You might be able to work it out with an indy though.

Gen_E92 · 12-18-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Have you check the fluid level in the power steering res?

Also, most dealerships do not install customer sourced parts. You might be able to work it out with an indy though.

Fluid level looks fine according to my mechanic. I did some search online and a remanufactured steering rack is about 900 which isn't too bad...

BTW does anyone know if M3 steering rack fit? I think they have quicker steering ratio which will be an awesome upgrade!

ontopofm · 12-19-2011, 06:12 PM

engine mounts, i had the same noise for quite a while, turned out the engine mounts were bad

Gen_E92 · 12-20-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontopofm

engine mounts, i had the same noise for quite a while, turned out the engine mounts were bad

wow that was good news since engine mounts should be alot cheaper to replace? Can you explain how bad engine mounts cause steering to make that sound?

ontopofm · 12-22-2011, 03:04 PM

i had the noise problem for over a year, had always thought it caused by the aftermarket suspension, tried to fix it myself, brought the car to a few shops, nobody knew what causes the noise until a month ago, i had the car on the lift, MUST BE LOADED, turned the wheels and turned out to be the engine mounts. I guess when the wheels are turned, the engine moves.

t02t · 12-28-2011, 04:20 AM

cars just fucked

nmswenson · 09-12-2012, 11:50 PM

I have the same noise going on... Is it the steering rack, or motor mounts? I had it diagnosed and they are telling me steering rack.

Gen_E92 · 09-13-2012, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmswenson

I have the same noise going on... Is it the steering rack, or motor mounts? I had it diagnosed and they are telling me steering rack.

Steering rack

CALWATERBOY · 09-14-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontopofm

engine mounts, i had the same noise for quite a while, turned out the engine mounts were bad

Most likely. It is a rare steering rack that goes bad.

Hey if it is the rack, please post detail of the failure! What exactly happened? If repaired, how? If replaced, where did the old rack go?

Gen_E92 · 09-15-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Most likely. It is a rare steering rack that goes bad.

Hey if it is the rack, please post detail of the failure! What exactly happened? If repaired, how? If replaced, where did the old rack go?

I specifically asked my mechanic to check the engine mounts and they were fine. No idea how the rack went bad either

I ordered a refurbished rack for about $350 + core charge, repairing the old one will likely cost even more lol. The shop kept my old rack since it'll cost too much to ship the old rack back for a mere $90 refund.

KyLu II · 09-16-2012, 01:22 AM

i have same exact issue. where did you get the refurb steering? how much was labor? thanks

Gen_E92 · 09-17-2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyLu II

i have same exact issue. where did you get the refurb steering? how much was labor? thanks

Forgot the name of the website, but all the major auto parts website basically have the same price. $180 for R&R.

secretsquirrel · 09-19-2012, 11:29 AM

Subscribed. I'm having a similar issue, however, it seems like my steering is "slipping" just a bit. On some drives my steering wheel will be slightly off center to the left, on others its slightly to the right. It does make a similar noise to what yours is making. OP, please keep us posted with the results of your steering rack replacement.

KyLu II · 09-21-2012, 02:47 AM

tonight i replaced the hydraulic oil and the noise still there... guess ill b ordering a steering rack soon

Gen_E92 · 09-21-2012, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

Subscribed. I'm having a similar issue, however, it seems like my steering is "slipping" just a bit. On some drives my steering wheel will be slightly off center to the left, on others its slightly to the right. It does make a similar noise to what yours is making. OP, please keep us posted with the results of your steering rack replacement.

see my post above, it was replaced a while ago!

secretsquirrel · 09-21-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen_E92

see my post above, it was replaced a while ago!

Thanks for the response. I saw where you said you ordered the parts. I'm guessing that the steering rack was the culprit and everything is working well again.

nmswenson · 09-27-2012, 08:58 PM

I fugred out what the problem was with mine. I unbolted the track bar and sway bar links and tested the steering that way to see if I could isolate the rack as the problem. I didn't make any difference in the sound. I then went to remove the steering rack and found the two mounting bolts loose! About 30K miles ago I installed aftermarket downpipes and had to unbolt the steering rack to install them. They must of just worked themselves loose. I put some blue locktite on them and retightened. Everything is great now. Steering is much smoother, no noise, and the ride is much quieter. Sure glad it was an easy fix!

Zen · 10-01-2012, 02:48 AM

I notice the noise a couple of days ago. It only starts clicking when I reverse, but whenever I'm in a standstill it seems fine. I hope it isn't the steering rack.

aflatau · 10-20-2012, 10:30 AM

same issue here.

12-14-2011, 10:44 PM	#1
Gen_E92 Brigadier General Drives: slow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,382 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2007 335i [3.88]	Possible steering rack issue I've been getting this noise for about a month now and it's been getting worse, although the video makes it sound abit worse than in person. It's loudest while parking, and non-existent if I go above 20mph, which makes sense because the faster I go the less load on the steering system. My mechanic and the dealer both suggests it's the steering rack although no detailed diagnosis was done yet. Dealer wants 3k for replacing the rack so I'm trying to see if I can find one from a junk yard. Anyone else ever experienced or heard of this issue?
	Tweet

12-28-2011, 04:20 AM	#9
t02t First Lieutenant Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Richmond/LA Posts: 360 iTrader: (4)	cars just fucked __________________ Build thread

09-12-2012, 11:50 PM	#10
nmswenson Registered Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Which is it? I have the same noise going on... Is it the steering rack, or motor mounts? I had it diagnosed and they are telling me steering rack.

09-16-2012, 01:22 AM	#14
KyLu II FREE DREAMK Drives: the shiiit! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 9,319 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 Lexus LFA [1.88]	i have same exact issue. where did you get the refurb steering? how much was labor? thanks __________________

09-21-2012, 02:47 AM	#17
KyLu II FREE DREAMK Drives: the shiiit! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 9,319 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 Lexus LFA [1.88]	tonight i replaced the hydraulic oil and the noise still there... guess ill b ordering a steering rack soon __________________

12-14-2011, 11:03 PM	#2
Volasko Captain Drives: 2006 E90 330i BSM 6MT ZSP Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 786 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [3.92]	Good god that sounds horrible... I don't really know what that could be? Other than the sound do you notice it when you are driving? ie) The car doesn't steer as precise as it should?

12-17-2011, 07:43 PM	#4
fdriller9 Banned Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC Posts: 7,092 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [3.22]	Have you check the fluid level in the power steering res? Also, most dealerships do not install customer sourced parts. You might be able to work it out with an indy though.

12-19-2011, 06:12 PM	#6
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 1,544 iTrader: (3)	engine mounts, i had the same noise for quite a while, turned out the engine mounts were bad

12-22-2011, 03:04 PM	#8
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 1,544 iTrader: (3)	i had the noise problem for over a year, had always thought it caused by the aftermarket suspension, tried to fix it myself, brought the car to a few shops, nobody knew what causes the noise until a month ago, i had the car on the lift, MUST BE LOADED, turned the wheels and turned out to be the engine mounts. I guess when the wheels are turned, the engine moves.

09-19-2012, 11:29 AM	#16
secretsquirrel Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335i nFifty4LiFe Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: land of the squirrel Posts: 1,624 iTrader: (2)	Subscribed. I'm having a similar issue, however, it seems like my steering is "slipping" just a bit. On some drives my steering wheel will be slightly off center to the left, on others its slightly to the right. It does make a similar noise to what yours is making. OP, please keep us posted with the results of your steering rack replacement.

09-27-2012, 08:58 PM	#20
nmswenson Registered Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Loose Bolts I fugred out what the problem was with mine. I unbolted the track bar and sway bar links and tested the steering that way to see if I could isolate the rack as the problem. I didn't make any difference in the sound. I then went to remove the steering rack and found the two mounting bolts loose! About 30K miles ago I installed aftermarket downpipes and had to unbolt the steering rack to install them. They must of just worked themselves loose. I put some blue locktite on them and retightened. Everything is great now. Steering is much smoother, no noise, and the ride is much quieter. Sure glad it was an easy fix!

10-01-2012, 02:48 AM	#21
Zen First Lieutenant Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Aus Posts: 317 iTrader: (0)	I notice the noise a couple of days ago. It only starts clicking when I reverse, but whenever I'm in a standstill it seems fine. I hope it isn't the steering rack. __________________ 08' E92 335I Black Sapphire Metallic \| 6sp Auto \| M-Sport Kit \| GTC GT-CS 19" \| Adaptive Headlights \| BMW Performance Exhaust \|

10-20-2012, 10:30 AM	#22
aflatau Private First Class Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 185 iTrader: (1)	same issue here. __________________ 07 335i(e90) black on black \| JB4 15ohm \| BMS DCI \| VRSF DP's \| AEM Digital Boost Gauge \| BMS MCV \| VRSF 5" FMIC \| HPF gen2 Exhaust \| BMS OCC \| Enkei 18's w 275's in REAR (rolled fenders) \| Nitto nt05's \| Koni Yellows \| H&R Springs \| BMW P Shift Knob \| Mtech Rear Bumper \| CF performance Diffuser \| M3 Style front bumper

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