[VWtoBMW]

I recently developed a rattle that sound like it is coming from around the steering column or instrument cluster area. so far I have not been able to isolate it. It happens when the car is stopped in D with my foot on the brake which cause a bit more of a vibration in the vehicle. It has been a week and it is starting to drive me crazy!

Car is a 2011 E92 335 with 25,000km

I searched the forums but havent found anything on the topic.

Anyone else experience this or have a fix?

[VWtoBMW]

bump

[g20jprad]

I have a similar problem in my steering column/dash but the short rattle only occurs when going over small bumps/rougher roads at low speeds. BMW technician thought it was coming from the instrument cluster. They removed the instrument cluster and added felt tape and put it back in. ... Didn't work.

Not sure if I should bother taking the car back in. The noise does drive me crazy though. http://www.e90post.com/forums/images/smilies/iono.gif

[blingman]

I get the same rattle, change the position of the steering wheel a little, either up, down, in, or out and it went away.

Does the sound go away if you hold and squeeze your steering wheel tight to absorb the vibration?

[psubmw]

I have an issue like this too. My 2011 e90 has a rattle in what I thought was the steering wheel, but perhaps it is the steering column, when I go over a sharp bump in the road. I removed the airbag and steering wheel in the search for the source, but I couldn't find it. I'm going back in today, and I'm also starting to suspect the steering column lock.

I'm subscribing to this thread and hoping for a fix.

[vapore0n]

Same here.
There is a thread somewhere in here where it state what the problem is.
Something in the steering column. People that got it fixed got the whole column replaced.
Now getting the dealer to replace it under warranty is the issue.

[psubmw]

Originally Posted by vapore0n

Same here.
There is a thread somewhere in here where it state what the problem is.
Something in the steering column. People that got it fixed got the whole column replaced.
Now getting the dealer to replace it under warranty is the issue.

I'm not so sure that other posts specify this exact problem. Most of the time other posts reference a clicking or grinding when turning the wheel 180 degrees. I don't have that problem. I might be wrong though. If you happen to find a post with the same problem I described, please let me know.

[TroyDeJ]

i have it too

[psubmw]

For those of you that have a rattle that seems to emanate from the steering column over sharp bumps in road, please verify that the noise is NOT from the gauge cluster mounting clips in the dash. To check, apply pressure to the dash directly in front of the gauge cluster while going over a bump that normally creates the rattle. If the noise disappears, this is how you may be able to fix it!

Warning: I strongly recommend removal of the steering wheel to allow you to properly fix this problem and prevent damage to the delicate gauge cluster.

1. Remove the steering wheel by following the appropriate instructions in the DIY section of the forum.
2. Carefully remove the 2 torx bit screws on the top of the gauge cluster.
3. I recommend putting a microfiber cloth on the dash and steering wheel in front of the gauge cluster to prevent scratching it. After the screws are removed, rotate the cluster toward the floor.
4. Remove the electrical attachment on the back of the cluster.
5. As shown in the attached pictures, apply two small pieces of some adhesive backed felt or velcro to act as a buffer between the two surfaces. Be careful to not apply something too thick or it will interfere with the fit of the gauge cluster when mounted back into the dash.
6. Reassemble and enjoy!

I assume that over time, the cluster settles onto the metal clips and then starts to rattle. This creates a nice buffer.

[JBE90335]

^cannot wait to try this, I think I have this rattle and it's been driving me crazy

[335e92tx]

i put velco in the spots identified, but the sound is unchanged. Even with the ip removed (pulled forward) the sound remains. it sounds as though there are a package of pencils are rattling as they come in contact with each other.

[g20jprad]

Brought the car to the dealer multiple times. Dealer replaced steering column under warranty. No luck. Problem persists. They supposedly looked behind airbag and steering wheel but found no loose parts/screws.


This is a such annoying problem that it makes me want to sell my "LCI upgraded" e90. ... So sad.


In hindsight, I probably should not have bought the Sport model... I'm sure the tighter suspension isn't helping.

[psubmw]

Does your noise sound like what I described above in my post with the picture?

Check it out. Mine was the gauge cluster sitting on metal clips, as shown, and I have a lci e90.

I'm willing to bet you have the same problem. It's been months since I put felt over those metal clips, and I have no rattle noise coming from the dash or steering column area.
Where are you from? If you're nearby, I'd be willing to look at it. I'm in Delaware.

Originally Posted by e90jprad

Brought the car to the dealer multiple times. Dealer replaced steering column under warranty. No luck. Problem persists. They supposedly looked behind airbag and steering wheel but found no loose parts/screws.


This is a such annoying problem that it makes me want to sell my "LCI upgraded" e90. ... So sad.


In hindsight, I probably should not have bought the Sport model... I'm sure the tighter suspension isn't helping.

[g20jprad]

Thanks for the offer psubmw! ... Unfortunately, I'm in California. The dealer has already felted portions of the instrument cluster, but I don't know about those two channels you were talking about. ... Will try to find some felt tape and see if that solves the problem.

Will post update later.

[Yvette]

could be cluster is loose bolt
if that is the case put some fabric and harden the bolts

[omare90]

I'm starting to hear lot of rattles near the dashboard/instrument cluster. I can't figure out where exactly it's coming from. Took the whole center console out and started to hit places to see where the rattle was coming from and sure enough the sounds were there even when center console was emptied. Would you be willing to help me investigate the problem? I will travel to your location, I'm not very far from Delaware/PA border. Thanks!

Originally Posted by psubmw

Does your noise sound like what I described above in my post with the picture?

Check it out. Mine was the gauge cluster sitting on metal clips, as shown, and I have a lci e90.

I'm willing to bet you have the same problem. It's been months since I put felt over those metal clips, and I have no rattle noise coming from the dash or steering column area.
Where are you from? If you're nearby, I'd be willing to look at it. I'm in Delaware.

[taranonline]

Same issue here. Goes away if i put pressure on dash

[E90_boostjunky]

Its the cup holders..

[omare90]

I also noticed that the rattle went away when pressure is applied forward on the dash. After opening up the dash again, I noticed there are two screws behind the climate control. Mine were a little loose for some reason so I tightened them, and the rattle went away. My suspicion is the dealership opened it fix my central locking system and didn't tighten the screws all the way.

Originally Posted by taranonline

Same issue here. Goes away if i put pressure on dash

[g20jprad]

Rattle found and fixed thanks to psubmw! (See post above.)

SIMPLE TEST: Slip two credit cards underneath the lower portion of the instrument cluster, side-by-side and evenly spaced. If the noise goes away over small bumps in the road - as it did with mine - just heavily felt the bottom of the cluster and its contact points.

[Dark_Knight_335]

If there's one thing I have learned through three BMWs, it is that they all rattle, squeak, and clatter. I call it their "charm."

[psubmw]

Originally Posted by omare90

I also noticed that the rattle went away when pressure is applied forward on the dash. After opening up the dash again, I noticed there are two screws behind the climate control. Mine were a little loose for some reason so I tightened them, and the rattle went away. My suspicion is the dealership opened it fix my central locking system and didn't tighten the screws all the way.

Glad yours is fixed. Which climate control do you mean?