Snapping noise when steering at low speed.
Discussion
Hi guys I am just wondering if you could help me out on an issue with my BMW.
The car in question is a 2006 320d e91.
I get a snapping / twanging sound when turning the wheel if the car is stationary and the sound is worsened if I am driving at low speeds such as manoeuvring into a parking space.
It is only 1 twang per side, it doesn’t constantly do it as I keep turning the wheel the same way. It will do it once if I turn it about 1 1/4 in either direction from the steering wheel being centred.
If I jack the front end up and put it on axle stands and turn the wheel it won’t do it, it only does it when there is weight on the front axle.
I can feel the twang through the steering wheel.
When I bought the car it had lowering springs on and I have reverted it back to stock and it’s only since I carried this out it has had the noise.
I have checked everything I can think of with regards to the front end of the car, every nut is tight, every ball joint and bushing is sound, I have loosened the tie rod off both sides and had a good pull / twist on them and there is 0 play whatsoever.
It even passed the MOT like this, I thought they would pick it up and tell me what it was so I could sort it but they said everything is fine and when I mentioned it he suggested the spring might be getting caught or stuck but Ive had someone else move the wheel and the springs move in the bearings just fine.
This is my last attempt at sorting it myself with the help of others before I admit defeat and take it to the garage.
I would be forever greatful if anyone has any idea on what I could check next.
Thanks 🙏
The car in question is a 2006 320d e91.
I get a snapping / twanging sound when turning the wheel if the car is stationary and the sound is worsened if I am driving at low speeds such as manoeuvring into a parking space.
It is only 1 twang per side, it doesn’t constantly do it as I keep turning the wheel the same way. It will do it once if I turn it about 1 1/4 in either direction from the steering wheel being centred.
If I jack the front end up and put it on axle stands and turn the wheel it won’t do it, it only does it when there is weight on the front axle.
I can feel the twang through the steering wheel.
When I bought the car it had lowering springs on and I have reverted it back to stock and it’s only since I carried this out it has had the noise.
I have checked everything I can think of with regards to the front end of the car, every nut is tight, every ball joint and bushing is sound, I have loosened the tie rod off both sides and had a good pull / twist on them and there is 0 play whatsoever.
It even passed the MOT like this, I thought they would pick it up and tell me what it was so I could sort it but they said everything is fine and when I mentioned it he suggested the spring might be getting caught or stuck but Ive had someone else move the wheel and the springs move in the bearings just fine.
This is my last attempt at sorting it myself with the help of others before I admit defeat and take it to the garage.
I would be forever greatful if anyone has any idea on what I could check next.
Thanks 🙏
Could it be a broken spring? It's quite common. Get somebody outside the car to listen to and see if it's coming from a particular corner and if it is look at the spring - but sometimes it breaks very close to the top or bottom and won't be visible.
I helped a friend diagnose this on his car a couple of weeks ago - it made a dreadful twang/thump noise at slow speed when steering and as soon as I looked in the wheel arch I could see the spring was misshapen.
At least if it's a broken spring it shouldn't be too expensive to replace - but I strongly recommend getting both sides done.
I helped a friend diagnose this on his car a couple of weeks ago - it made a dreadful twang/thump noise at slow speed when steering and as soon as I looked in the wheel arch I could see the spring was misshapen.
At least if it's a broken spring it shouldn't be too expensive to replace - but I strongly recommend getting both sides done.
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