Crunching/creaking during low speed steering

[MitchT]

OH's E87 120d is making a crunching/creaking noise in response to steering inputs during low speed manoeuvres. It actually sounds like it's coming from the left rear, but that could just be wierd vehicle acoustics. Recent MOT had the following advisory: "Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)". Could it be related to this? We'll get the garage to have a look asap but just wondered if there's a consensus.

[danb79]

MitchT said:

OH's E87 120d is making a crunching/creaking noise in response to steering inputs during low speed manoeuvres. It actually sounds like it's coming from the left rear, but that could just be wierd vehicle acoustics. Recent MOT had the following advisory: "Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)". Could it be related to this? We'll get the garage to have a look asap but just wondered if there's a consensus.

Yup; replace the inner CV joints and track rod ends - Moog would be my go-to; TRW and Lemforder OEM, Febi Bilstein will be fine too

Get them from Parts in Motion, BMWmotormec on eBay; or C3BMW - Moog you'll get from your local motorfactors

Car will nee a full tracking and alignment afterwards

[MitchT]

It'll just go to the local garage and they'll do what they need to. Don't have the knowledge or facility to do it myself and standard parts will be fine. The OH is after a new car and I'll probably have hers as a stop-gap until the one I want comes up for sale, so it's not going to be around long enough for superior parts to matter. Really just wondered if the noise I hear is consistent with the advisory.

[MitchT]

Just been to the garage and, typically, not a bloody sqeak from the thing when the mechanic drove it. Does it every single time otherwise!