Steering shudders at low speed when turning - Page 2 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

cstmx_ryder · 09-28-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8N

Flushing the PS fluid was my first thought as well.

Not exactly pertinent to a BMW, but a buddy of mine bought a '64 Studebaker GT Hawk that'd been sitting a while. It ran and drove but the power steering was damn near nonexistent, and when it did work, it felt "notchy" like the OP describes (but probably more so.) We unhooked the return line from the P/S pump reservoir and stuck it in a bucket and ran the engine while pouring ATF in the reservoir and sawing the wheel back and forth. Did that until the fluid was nice and pink and then some for insurance, reconnected hoses, topped up and worked the wheel back and forth a couple more times with the engine running to get the air out. Worked fantastically after that!

Thanks for giving me hope that the PS fluid flush might fix my problem. I really don't have all the 'click click click' noise that some have experienced, nor a whining/humming sound coming from the steering column. Just an occasional 'gunk gunk' sound when turning the steering at a stop or very slow roll, ie, getting in and out of parking spots. It almost feel like there's a 'dead' spot when turning the wheel, but only for a split second and once that's passed, steering is normal again.......

335BBS · 10-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

Thanks for giving me hope that the PS fluid flush might fix my problem. I really don't have all the 'click click click' noise that some have experienced, nor a whining/humming sound coming from the steering column. Just an occasional 'gunk gunk' sound when turning the steering at a stop or very slow roll, ie, getting in and out of parking spots. It almost feel like there's a 'dead' spot when turning the wheel, but only for a split second and once that's passed, steering is normal again.......

Dealer checked that. Replacing rack today assuming BMW approves.

spiike32 · 10-01-2012, 12:27 PM

Just saw your post. I had a similar issue although mine would click as well. You could hear it in a parking garage rather clearly.

Solution: replace steering rack due to misaligned rack and pinion. Problem solved.

335BBS · 10-02-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiike32

Just saw your post. I had a similar issue although mine would click as well. You could hear it in a parking garage rather clearly.

Solution: replace steering rack due to misaligned rack and pinion. Problem solved.

They are doing that today....I hope. I havent had the car for 8 days.

335BBS · 10-04-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BBS

They are doing that today....I hope. I havent had the car for 8 days.

Got it back today and it seems perfect. Replaced hoses, pump and rack.

Snyperx · 10-04-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BBS

Got it back today and it seems perfect. Replaced hoses, pump and rack.

Holy crap!!! WTH? I have an 2006 325i and have 78k and my steering is fine. Hope I can't expect an issue in the future.

cstmx_ryder · 10-04-2012, 08:31 PM

335BBS,

So when they replaced the pump, you said they weren't 'satisfied' meaning it helped a little or not at all? Then they went on to replace the steering rack, and that solved the issue?

So does that mean that the hose nor the pump was the culprit, and it was ONLY the steering rack? I think the rack is the most expensive one out of the whole steering component, right?

TIA

P.S. BMW should have a recall for the steering rack. Because obviously there's at least a handful of people that have this issue, and that's just on the forum alone. I can only imaging how many more people have this issue that aren't on the forum.....sigh.

TheTal0n · 10-04-2012, 10:29 PM

Mine didnt always, maybe the tires could be the culprit?

i tremble at the thought of going to the dealer again

335BBS · 10-05-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

335BBS,

So when they replaced the pump, you said they weren't 'satisfied' meaning it helped a little or not at all? Then they went on to replace the steering rack, and that solved the issue?

So does that mean that the hose nor the pump was the culprit, and it was ONLY the steering rack? I think the rack is the most expensive one out of the whole steering component, right?

TIA

P.S. BMW should have a recall for the steering rack. Because obviously there's at least a handful of people that have this issue, and that's just on the forum alone. I can only imaging how many more people have this issue that aren't on the forum.....sigh.

I think youre right, the rack is the most expensive part which is why they needed approval from BMW to replace it. I would not have wanted to pay for all of this after warranty ran ouit. Car is fine now ...other than the new rattle in the dash ...they also replaced the HVAC fan.

point665 · 10-05-2012, 08:45 AM

Hmm... last time I was at the dealer and explained my symptoms (including that of a little side-to-side play on the highway) the SA stated that the symptoms sound like those of a faulty rack... (leading me to believe its pretty common).

I asked them to inspect it and he said they would - and after I got the loaner and drove it I sent the SA an email asking him to make sure to include it on the work-order so they could check it because the loaner E90 steering felt unbelievably better... However when I picked up the car there was nothing about inspecting the steering system on the work-order and when I asked the SA about it he said "oh they said everything is fine"...

More and more I've been noticing that when the car has not been used for several hours, for the first few minutes of driving I can feel a strong shaking while turning the wheel (even if turning it back and forth just a matter of 2 inches to each side) - the shaking has nothing to do with the road surface of the vehicle speed - it almost feels like the insides of the tires were off-roading tires... And turning the wheel each way has un-even resistance (notchy feel). It leads me to believe that there is something wrong with the hydraulics of the steering system and it acts up more when the power steering fluid is cold.

cstmx_ryder · 10-07-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BBS

I think youre right, the rack is the most expensive part which is why they needed approval from BMW to replace it. I would not have wanted to pay for all of this after warranty ran ouit. Car is fine now ...other than the new rattle in the dash ...they also replaced the HVAC fan.

So it looks like the steering rack for an AS E90 costs $2370.40.....Based on RealOEM.com......sigh.

FML

SubzeroVR4 · 10-07-2012, 08:20 PM

Hm..Mine does this too sometimes, I thought this was just a side effect of the active steering.

335BBS · 10-09-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

So it looks like the steering rack for an AS E90 costs $2370.40.....Based on RealOEM.com......sigh.

FML

Yikes. Symptoms started at 60,000 kms. Warranty is up at 80,000...car had 79,900 when I just left it there. Looks like I dodged bullet.

PeteB · 10-09-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubzeroVR4

Hm..Mine does this too sometimes, I thought this was just a side effect of the active steering.

Yep- I have the issue and active steering. I was just told it's the tires vibrating..yeah right.

graphitegreg · 10-17-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by point665

Hmm... last time I was at the dealer and explained my symptoms (including that of a little side-to-side play on the highway) the SA stated that the symptoms sound like those of a faulty rack... (leading me to believe its pretty common).

.

Hi,
2006 330i, same issue exactly, slow speed wandering or tracking, occasional groan/ gunk gunk from right beneath my feet when pulling out from parking. Highway wandering, occasional pulling left or right but tires and ride are smooth as silk any any speed.

Sounds like a rack issue from all the comments. Been considering my options up to now. don't have active steering.
Appreciated the thread guys.

335BBS · 10-18-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphitegreg

Hi,
2006 330i, same issue exactly, slow speed wandering or tracking, occasional groan/ gunk gunk from right beneath my feet when pulling out from parking. Highway wandering, occasional pulling left or right but tires and ride are smooth as silk any any speed.

Sounds like a rack issue from all the comments. Been considering my options up to now. don't have active steering.
Appreciated the thread guys.

NOT the same symptoms as mine at all. Mine was only during parking maneuvers.
Slight grinding/shudder when turning wheel.
.

10-01-2012, 12:27 PM	#25
spiike32 Captain Drives: Monaco Blue E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: shy-town Posts: 847 iTrader: (7)	Just saw your post. I had a similar issue although mine would click as well. You could hear it in a parking garage rather clearly. Solution: replace steering rack due to misaligned rack and pinion. Problem solved. __________________

10-04-2012, 08:31 PM	#29
cstmx_ryder Colonel Drives: A metal box with a roundel Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,540 iTrader: (2)	335BBS, So when they replaced the pump, you said they weren't 'satisfied' meaning it helped a little or not at all? Then they went on to replace the steering rack, and that solved the issue? So does that mean that the hose nor the pump was the culprit, and it was ONLY the steering rack? I think the rack is the most expensive one out of the whole steering component, right? TIA P.S. BMW should have a recall for the steering rack. Because obviously there's at least a handful of people that have this issue, and that's just on the forum alone. I can only imaging how many more people have this issue that aren't on the forum.....sigh. __________________ '08 AW E90 335i PROcede V5 \| BMS DCI \| RR DPs \| ETS FMIC \| FORGE DVs \| Stett CP \| Vanguard \| PSS10

10-07-2012, 08:20 PM	#34
SubzeroVR4 Second Lieutenant Drives: '09 E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 204 iTrader: (0)	Hm..Mine does this too sometimes, I thought this was just a side effect of the active steering. __________________

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10-04-2012, 10:29 PM	#30
TheTal0n Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 481 iTrader: (0)	Mine didnt always, maybe the tires could be the culprit? i tremble at the thought of going to the dealer again

10-05-2012, 08:45 AM	#32
point665 Enlisted Member Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: S. FL Posts: 38 iTrader: (0)	Hmm... last time I was at the dealer and explained my symptoms (including that of a little side-to-side play on the highway) the SA stated that the symptoms sound like those of a faulty rack... (leading me to believe its pretty common). I asked them to inspect it and he said they would - and after I got the loaner and drove it I sent the SA an email asking him to make sure to include it on the work-order so they could check it because the loaner E90 steering felt unbelievably better... However when I picked up the car there was nothing about inspecting the steering system on the work-order and when I asked the SA about it he said "oh they said everything is fine"... More and more I've been noticing that when the car has not been used for several hours, for the first few minutes of driving I can feel a strong shaking while turning the wheel (even if turning it back and forth just a matter of 2 inches to each side) - the shaking has nothing to do with the road surface of the vehicle speed - it almost feels like the insides of the tires were off-roading tires... And turning the wheel each way has un-even resistance (notchy feel). It leads me to believe that there is something wrong with the hydraulics of the steering system and it acts up more when the power steering fluid is cold.