[BJK1903]

Hi Everyone,

I'm having a problem with my steering wheel when trying to turn, it is soo hard. I have to use both my hands. But it goes hard to normal hard to normal.

I took it to a mechanic and he said it is the Lower Steering Shaft Joint Assembly that needs to be changed. The only reason I wanted to ask here is because I was reading someone having a similar problem and it ended up being the "universal Joint". I don't know if I trust this mechanic a lot. So I just wanted to get some opinions from you guys.

Thanks in advance..!

[KMEninety335]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Hi Everyone,

I'm having a problem with my steering wheel when trying to turn, it is soo hard. I have to use both my hands. But it goes hard to normal hard to normal.

I took it to a mechanic and he said it is the Lower Steering Shaft Joint Assembly that needs to be changed. The only reason I wanted to ask hear is because I was reading someone having a similar problem and it ended up being the "universal Joint". I don't know if I trust this mechanic a lot. So I just wanted to get some opinions from you guys.

Thanks in advance..!

I would also check your power steering fluid. I had a problem where I had a slow leak with the fluid in my a4 b6 and it did the same thing.

[BJK1903]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.. I had already checked that. It was normal.

Originally Posted by KMEninety335

I would also check your power steering fluid. I had a problem where I had a slow leak with the fluid in my a4 b6 and it did the same thing.

[Rat_House]

I would assume the lower steering shaft joint assembly as a U joint in it......

[GoRomeo]

Guys I noticed my steering is a little harder than normal, just a bit. I checked fluid and is low, its barely touching the low end of measure dip stick. Fluid looks normal in color not black at all. I wonder if I should change fluid or just add more?

Regardless, I will stop by the dealership and buy 1 quart of power steering fluid with my $40.00 coupon I still have succkkers!!! Aint coming from my pocket...

[BJK1903]

Ok guys,
This is what i did.

Bought a WD-40 and white lithium grease.

Open your hood and spray the WD-40 all around the lower steering shaft over night. Just spray and turn the wheel and just keep spraying.
In the morning you will notice that the steering wheel is just like new. Now open the hood and spray that white lithium grease and just keep turning the steering wheel. Leave it for an hour or so.

It will fix it. At least it did mine. It's been about 2-3 weeks since I did it, and it still works like a charm. Saved my ass $600 :happy anim:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Guys I noticed my steering is a little harder than normal, just a bit. I checked fluid and is low, its barely touching the low end of measure dip stick. Fluid looks normal in color not black at all. I wonder if I should change fluid or just add more?

Regardless, I will stop by the dealership and buy 1 quart of power steering fluid with my $40.00 coupon I still have succkkers!!! Aint coming from my pocket...

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Ok guys,
This is what i did.

Bought a WD-40 and white lithium grease.

Open your hood and spray the WD-40 all around the lower steering shaft over night. Just spray and turn the wheel and just keep spraying.
In the morning you will notice that the steering wheel is just like new. Now open the hood and spray that white lithium grease and just keep turning the steering wheel. Leave it for an hour or so.

It will fix it. At least it did mine. It's been about 2-3 weeks since I did it, and it still works like a charm. Saved my ass $600 :happy anim:

Thanks for the tip, but how can you spray the lower steering shaft from the top? Isnt the lower steering shart on the bottom?

Thanks

[BJK1903]

You can barely see one part of it. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow and post where I sprayed it.

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Thanks for the tip, but how can you spray the lower steering shaft from the top? Isnt the lower steering shart on the bottom?

Thanks

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

You can barely see one part of it. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow and post where I sprayed it.

Cool man. Please Thanks! a DIY would be better for all the crew here...

[ajsalida]

Ummm if it was a u-joint this will not fix it, and the U-joint already may be damaged. Hate to have that let go under stress. Worth checking it out to make sure. I do not know what type it is but if it is sealed, and started binding, that means bad stuff is happening inside of it. Like CV joints once they begin to fail there is not much to do except replace them. Sure you could spray WD 40 into the boot but then what.

[GoRomeo]

Yesterday I checked my Power Steering fluid and see how dark it was using a drop on a paper towell and looked clear, not dark at all. I know is low, so hopefully by adding fluid my steering wheel will get easier to turn.

[BJK1903]

Originally Posted by SINasTER

Would also really like to see a picture or a DIY guide

Sorry guys,

I really got caught up with work and business traveling this past week and couldn't add the picture. I'm not sure if I can do a DIY tho. But I promise I will add the pictures this week.

ajsalida, I'm not claiming that this is the "Fix" or anything like that. I applied it to my car after I opened this topic, and since then I had no problems. It did save a ton of money. So if it's going to help someone and have this as a "workaround" till they have the money, or time or whatever, I'll post it. Isn't the forum here for that reason anyway? To share? Like I said, it is just a "workaround" till you have the time or money to get it fixed. But so far it worked like a charm for me.

[RBBJ328icoupe]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Ok guys,
This is what i did.

Bought a WD-40 and white lithium grease.

Open your hood and spray the WD-40 all around the lower steering shaft over night. Just spray and turn the wheel and just keep spraying.
In the morning you will notice that the steering wheel is just like new. Now open the hood and spray that white lithium grease and just keep turning the steering wheel. Leave it for an hour or so.

It will fix it. At least it did mine. It's been about 2-3 weeks since I did it, and it still works like a charm. Saved my ass $600 :happy anim:

Awesome I will try this today. I flushed my power steering fluid over the weekend. Just got the car 3 weeks ago and fluid was low and while checking it noticed that somewhere down the line someone put in ATF and the cap clearly states use CHF 11s. now the steering is a little stiff, but it was also before the flush.

[BJK1903]

Originally Posted by RBBJ328icoupe

Awesome I will try this today. I flushed my power steering fluid over the weekend. Just got the car 3 weeks ago and fluid was low and while checking it noticed that somewhere down the line someone put in ATF and the cap clearly states use CHF 11s. now the steering is a little stiff, but it was also before the flush.

Let me know how it works out. I was going to post pictures but I keep forgetting. Sorry guys.

[only1harry]

My 2011 335 xDrive 's steering wheel is very hard to turn at low speeds and when parking the car. It's extremely hard to park the car and have to go very slowly into a spot so not to hit other cars. I have to put a lot of muscle into it when parking. Is this normal? I just bought this CPO car with 23k mi. on it. Should I go to the dealer, or is this the way it's supposed to be? It doesn't appear normal to me that you have to put so much effort to steer a $55K (sticker) car at low speeds like that. My wife moved the car the other day because I was blocking hers in the driveway and she said "how do you drive that car? I couldn't steer it". I called the BMW Dealer I bought it from, and they said it's normal but bring it in if you want. Only problem is they are 50 miles away and I don't want to drive there for nothing if it's normal.

Thanks,
Harry

[Ingeniator]

I've not verified this myself (However similar procedures are used on 4WD) but if you have a jack I would try this. From what I've read the front axle disengages when parked. Jack up the front and turn the wheel left or right and then spin each front tire to check for binding. If it binds up it's the CV's if not it is probably an issue in your Steering Column. The U joint does not appear to be serviceable and it is always recommended to replace them at first sign of failure. If a cap separates and the joint fails you world have no control. While it's in the air I would check for play in the front end most times these types of issues put a lot of strain on tie rods and other components and you'll want to confirm that they are in good condition.

Let me know if this procedure is possible on these cars. I’ve yet to have the wheels off the ground on mine. I do have brakes to do in the spring though I hope your issues are resolved before then.


Greg

[JoeyBananaz18]

Originally Posted by only1harry

My 2011 335 xDrive 's steering wheel is very hard to turn at low speeds and when parking the car. It's extremely hard to park the car and have to go very slowly into a spot so not to hit other cars. I have to put a lot of muscle into it when parking. Is this normal? I just bought this CPO car with 23k mi. on it. Should I go to the dealer, or is this the way it's supposed to be? It doesn't appear normal to me that you have to put so much effort to steer a $55K (sticker) car at low speeds like that. My wife moved the car the other day because I was blocking hers in the driveway and she said "how do you drive that car? I couldn't steer it". I called the BMW Dealer I bought it from, and they said it's normal but bring it in if you want. Only problem is they are 50 miles away and I don't want to drive there for nothing if it's normal.

Thanks,
Harry

How did it go at the dealership? I ask because I'm having the same problem on my left side and have an appointment this weekend. I have the extended waranty. Should they cover the necessary work? Thanks.

[BlueSander]

yea, I bought mine used and I was suprised as hell that the steering is so heavy. It's like going back to before assisted steering.

[GOS51]

I like the heavy feel but mine is not hard to turn.

[only1harry]

They replaced the lower shaft/joint assembly a few weeks ago after 3 visits and a lot of complaining. I also had developed a clicking sound in the steering wheel. However, the steering is still hard (sound is gone), if not harder, so nothing changed there. I also have a lot of slop in the steering wheel. So something else is wrong as well.

[M335Xi]

I had dealer replace my lower shaft/joint assembly also before I took delivery of the car few years ago, it was really hard to turn during test drive. It was "binding" according to the dealer but it barely made any difference. Could it be our power steering pump is failing or has failed?

[mstatongk1]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Ok guys,
This is what i did.

Bought a WD-40 and white lithium grease.

Open your hood and spray the WD-40 all around the lower steering shaft over night. Just spray and turn the wheel and just keep spraying.
In the morning you will notice that the steering wheel is just like new. Now open the hood and spray that white lithium grease and just keep turning the steering wheel. Leave it for an hour or so.

It will fix it. At least it did mine. It's been about 2-3 weeks since I did it, and it still works like a charm. Saved my ass $600 :happy anim:

Did the same thing problem solved. SOOOOO happy right now!