[klg007]

2006 330i w/sports package about 65,000 miles

I have noticed lately that my car is has play in the steering wheel and wondered if anyone else had the same issue. If my car is parked I can move the steering wheel about an 1/2 inch from side to side and I feel this driving as well.. maybe this is just normal wear and tear after 65,000 miles...I'm taking my car in for routine maintenance and wondered if I should mention it to my SA.

[CubanJJ09]

whens the last time you got an alignment?
could be your answer
try to juice one out of your stealer when you go in

[GregL]

My 330xi has no play in the steering, zero. I move it half a degree and the front wheels respond accordingly.

[klg007]

thanks guys..I kinda knew the play was not normal..but honestly couldn't remember..I will mention it to my SA.

[JayKay335i]

Be careful. Could be a problem with the seals on your steering rack.

[nicknaz]

definitely seems like something is up. there shouldn't be any noticeable free play in the steering

[SoCalTech]

I replaced the steering shaft between the rack and the steering column on a member's car a little while ago for a very similar issue. His was also making a knocking noise.

[ucla1995]

Originally Posted by klg007

2006 330i w/sports package about 65,000 miles

I have noticed lately that my car is has play in the steering wheel and wondered if anyone else had the same issue. If my car is parked I can move the steering wheel about an 1/2 inch from side to side and I feel this driving as well.. maybe this is just normal wear and tear after 65,000 miles...I'm taking my car in for routine maintenance and wondered if I should mention it to my SA.

I have it and hate it. I tried an alignment and so forth and didn't help much. Has always been there. Dealer says within specs...

[Kevin@AKMotorwerk]

check your tie rods, jack up the car and grab the sides of the tire and see if it moves side to side.

[adjmcloon]

I have to agree, zero play from mine as well. If I even think about turning the wheel the car reacts.

[scanboy]

Could someone explain what "play" is?

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by scanboy

Could someone explain what "play" is?

when you turn the steering wheel there's a dead zone where the wheel moves but the tires don't react.

i'm sorta getting that feeling and i have 35k. i think a lot of it has to do with keeping proper tire pressure (36f/38r for me).

[M3 Piotr]

Originally Posted by adjmcloon

I have to agree, zero play from mine as well. If I even think about turning the wheel the car reacts.

ADJMCLOON - Your car looks pretty sweet in your signature. VS8


OP sorry don't mean to jack the thread.

[ucla1995]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

when you turn the steering wheel there's a dead zone where the wheel moves but the tires don't react.

i'm sorta getting that feeling and i have 35k. i think a lot of it has to do with keeping proper tire pressure (36f/38r for me).

My tire pressures are perfect and I have it bad.

[MrDummy]

IS it normal for the wheel to have about a 1/8" or 1/4" play when your parked and the engine is running? It seems tight but I can here a small creaking noise under the dash when I gently turn side to side, and it moves about a tad b4 the wheels start to move. Is that just the steering system play from like the rack and pinion, its a 2006 325xi w/49K miles.

[LemonD]

Reading this post, I have the same and wanted to share my pain and ask your help...

I’ve had my '06 330i for a week now and its wandering on the motorway, I have to concentrate real hard to keep the car where I want it on country roads and generally have to make lots of steering corrections. It’s also easily jogged off course by bumps and I can feel it squirming in my hands. It’s really not what I expected of a BMW and feels terrible to drive. Quickly diagnosed as free play in the steering. Mega disappointment…

Dealer said "normal" - those dreaded words when you know its not. Its only done 46k miles.

So, I've measured it. Car stationary, I have 6mm movement on the rim of the steering wheel before the road wheels (measured at the road wheel rim with a dial gauge) move at all with engine on or off. Checked out other cars too:

Ford Focus ’05: 2mm (hydraulic PAS)
Honda Integra DC5: 0 mm (hydraulic PAS) (FANTASTIC steering in all respects)
E90 325i 2009: <1mm (electric? PAS)
325d 2009: <1mm (electric PAS)
118d 2009: <1mm (electric PAS)
E91 318i 2007: 0mm (hydraulic PAS)

All of these cars feel “connected” to the road and do not exhibit what mine does. So now I know 6mm is WAY off “normal”.

I’ve measured the track rod end play as best I can – 0mm unfortunately. That would be an easy fix…

I’ve checked the parts list change for E90. The rack was updated Dec’06 from 32106765014 to 32106777464 seemingly for all hydraulic pas BMWs with that rack type. Anyone know the issue or change? (I’ve still to check the s-wheel to rack input free play to remove the column from the target list.)

I’d be really grateful if anyone could post their E90 steering wheel rim free play against model year – either subjectively or measure it. Easy to do with a tape measure - rim to seat (put a bit of tape on the rim with a pen dot on it). You can feel when it stiffens up either side of free play if you have any – or if it always feel stiff, you have none.

Do you have this issue with your ‘05 to ‘07 E90? Or even better - solved it?

There are lots of posts on E46 free play due to the compliant bush, but E90 does not have this and unfortunately and its not the track rod ends or the tracking… What can I do? Is it the rack? Should I be asking BMW to change it? I’ve spent enough on the car already, but I’ve ended up with the worst feeling car I’ve ever driven! Rest of the car is great…

Any ideas? Thanks for your time and sorry long post.

[MrDummy]

^^ hmm great tech work for starters, I had my steering column replaced for some minor clicking style noise when sitting still with engine on and going lightly left to right. But it is still around, and they told me that is in spec and normal for a 2006 w/49k miles.

Dunno if its the same thing though?

[Tallest]

Define this steering play for me. When road is smooth the car is rock solid. when road is curvy and has tracks - my car tramlines like a b-tch. If i brake on rugged road with tracks - (the kind left by 5 months of peopel driving on spiked tires) - i gotta keep the wheel straight or it will go off the course.

So the car tramlines. I understand it's simply because of suspension construction and i've not had it aligned for a while but "problem" was there since day one. the steering wheel doesn't 'shake' in hands though at least I don't notice this yet. Car has done about 30000 miles and is a 4-2006 build, Munich.

Originally Posted by LemonD

Reading this post, I have the same and wanted to share my pain and ask your help...

I’ve had my '06 330i for a week now and its wandering on the motorway, I have to concentrate real hard to keep the car where I want it on country roads and generally have to make lots of steering corrections. It’s also easily jogged off course by bumps and I can feel it squirming in my hands. It’s really not what I expected of a BMW and feels terrible to drive. Quickly diagnosed as free play in the steering. Mega disappointment…

Dealer said "normal" - those dreaded words when you know its not. Its only done 46k miles.

So, I've measured it. Car stationary, I have 6mm movement on the rim of the steering wheel before the road wheels (measured at the road wheel rim with a dial gauge) move at all with engine on or off. Checked out other cars too:

Ford Focus ’05: 2mm (hydraulic PAS)
Honda Integra DC5: 0 mm (hydraulic PAS) (FANTASTIC steering in all respects)
E90 325i 2009: <1mm (electric? PAS)
325d 2009: <1mm (electric PAS)
118d 2009: <1mm (electric PAS)
E91 318i 2007: 0mm (hydraulic PAS)

All of these cars feel “connected” to the road and do not exhibit what mine does. So now I know 6mm is WAY off “normal”.

I’ve measured the track rod end play as best I can – 0mm unfortunately. That would be an easy fix…

I’ve checked the parts list change for E90. The rack was updated Dec’06 from 32106765014 to 32106777464 seemingly for all hydraulic pas BMWs with that rack type. Anyone know the issue or change? (I’ve still to check the s-wheel to rack input free play to remove the column from the target list.)

I’d be really grateful if anyone could post their E90 steering wheel rim free play against model year – either subjectively or measure it. Easy to do with a tape measure - rim to seat (put a bit of tape on the rim with a pen dot on it). You can feel when it stiffens up either side of free play if you have any – or if it always feel stiff, you have none.

Do you have this issue with your ‘05 to ‘07 E90? Or even better - solved it?

There are lots of posts on E46 free play due to the compliant bush, but E90 does not have this and unfortunately and its not the track rod ends or the tracking… What can I do? Is it the rack? Should I be asking BMW to change it? I’ve spent enough on the car already, but I’ve ended up with the worst feeling car I’ve ever driven! Rest of the car is great…

Any ideas? Thanks for your time and sorry long post.

Originally Posted by MrDummy

^^ hmm great tech work for starters, I had my steering column replaced for some minor clicking style noise when sitting still with engine on and going lightly left to right. But it is still around, and they told me that is in spec and normal for a 2006 w/49k miles.

Dunno if its the same thing though?

I think he is mainly talking about change in steering rack.

[LemonD]

Yeah mine does that too, but I think that's tyres; wider the tyre, more likely it seems this happens, and probably sensitive to tracking settings? I don't know. Free play has got to make this worse though.

Mine is more just drifting and floating and a general loss of control at dead ahead.

Off Topic a bit, but do you find E90 ride and steering is really upset by bumps and generally rough roads? I'm just surprised my Ultimate Driving Machine has all these issues. Are newer E90s better or are they all jittery over rough ground? Is the M Sport suspension better for steering and ride control? When the road is smooth it all feels great! I'm starting to pine for my Honda DC5 Type R back - never unsettled, completely planted and felt almost like perfection in my hands... until the wheels spin, oh and the torque steer and my fillings falling out...

[Spydeputy]

you might as well mention it. it will only get worse, never better.

[CHARLEYBROWN]

It could be a list of things... For starters

1. Inner tie rods
2. Outter tie rods
3. Ball Joints In your lower control arms
4. Bushings in lower contol arms JUST to name a few...

If your expirienceing wondering and bump steer all over the road its time to check out your steering.

Start by lifting your car up off the ground one side at a time. Once the tire is off the ground, place your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and push/pull in and out. If you feel play and its not tight, it could be your lower ball joints or controll arm bushings.

If that yielded no results, place your hands ad 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Push/pull in and out. If you feel play it could be your Inner or outter tie rods.

There should be NO play up/down or left/right. It should be tight like prom nite!

To further inspect your tie rods, you can remove the wheel, loosen your outter tierod from the spindle and carefully tap the ball joint free from the spindle. The ball joint should be tight when you try to move it around after its been removed. Also if the tie rod is completley flacid and feels sloppy and loose then it could be your inner tie rod is worn out.

All these parts tend to start to wear after 50 or so thousand miles. ESPECIALLY if you have ran your car with an impropper alignment for long long periods of time. Namley, if your toe is set wrong from lowering, it prematurley wears out your ball joints, tie rods, and steering rack.

I came from the lowered/baged full size truck community and this is a VERY common issue with lowered vehicles. I have had and fixed this problem myself. Its easy with the right tools and $$$

Here is a pic from BimmerForums


All of these colored parts have ball joints in them that can wear and cause these issues. Not so much the sway bar link but definatley the others. I hope this helps...

[LemonD]

Anyone know how difficult / involved it is to change the steering rack on 330i E90 auto? Would I have to drop the subframe? Gulp.

It looks like this is my problem, not trackrod ends, not suspension bushes and not column - they are all tight - not much else left... Can't yet check the inner trackrod ends (I will) but probably unlikely.

Thanks CharleyBrown, that is just what I did with a friend. Nice and clear pic!