BMW steering issue (excessive movement when locked)
Discussion
I got my car (1 series BMW) aligned because it was wandering big time, it definitely helped but now the steering is coming loose again, although doesn't seem unstable like before, it just feels very... untossable. I feel I need to turn the steering wheel more than I should have to to get the same result, so the car feels very wide.
It is not the rack that dynamically tightens itself up (no green cap!) can't remember the name of that feature.
The garage says there was nothing else that could be causing it but I notice that my steering wheel seems to be able to move a lot when it is locked. Other BMW owners says theirs only moves a few mm, but I have a few good inches.
Not sure if this is abnormal, but certainly seems excessive - would this throw the steering out?
There is also a phantom rubbing noise coming from one wheel that no-one can solve..
I don't want to slowly swap out all the steering components one by one and maybe not getting a satisfactory result, been down that road.
What do you think? cheers!
It is not the rack that dynamically tightens itself up (no green cap!) can't remember the name of that feature.
The garage says there was nothing else that could be causing it but I notice that my steering wheel seems to be able to move a lot when it is locked. Other BMW owners says theirs only moves a few mm, but I have a few good inches.
Not sure if this is abnormal, but certainly seems excessive - would this throw the steering out?
There is also a phantom rubbing noise coming from one wheel that no-one can solve..
I don't want to slowly swap out all the steering components one by one and maybe not getting a satisfactory result, been down that road.
What do you think? cheers!
Couple of thoughts -
Check tyre pressure
Are the tyres the same brand and model all round? If not, maybe swap front to back to see if it changes (on the E46 it's sensitive to front / rear sidewall stiffness
Check suspension bushes front and back (again, the E46 is sensitive to bush wear / wears bushes quickly. Don't know if the 1 series is the same)
Check tyre pressure
Are the tyres the same brand and model all round? If not, maybe swap front to back to see if it changes (on the E46 it's sensitive to front / rear sidewall stiffness
Check suspension bushes front and back (again, the E46 is sensitive to bush wear / wears bushes quickly. Don't know if the 1 series is the same)
scuderia430 said:
I got my car (1 series BMW) aligned because it was wandering big time, it definitely helped but now the steering is coming loose again, although doesn't seem unstable like before, it just feels very... untossable. I feel I need to turn the steering wheel more than I should have to to get the same result, so the car feels very wide.
It is not the rack that dynamically tightens itself up (no green cap!) can't remember the name of that feature.
The garage says there was nothing else that could be causing it but I notice that my steering wheel seems to be able to move a lot when it is locked. Other BMW owners says theirs only moves a few mm, but I have a few good inches.
Not sure if this is abnormal, but certainly seems excessive - would this throw the steering out?
There is also a phantom rubbing noise coming from one wheel that no-one can solve..
I don't want to slowly swap out all the steering components one by one and maybe not getting a satisfactory result, been down that road.
What do you think? cheers!
I just solved an long standing problem with my 1 series that took 2 years to solve, although the issues you are experiencing arent quite the same i think the problem might be...It is not the rack that dynamically tightens itself up (no green cap!) can't remember the name of that feature.
The garage says there was nothing else that could be causing it but I notice that my steering wheel seems to be able to move a lot when it is locked. Other BMW owners says theirs only moves a few mm, but I have a few good inches.
Not sure if this is abnormal, but certainly seems excessive - would this throw the steering out?
There is also a phantom rubbing noise coming from one wheel that no-one can solve..
I don't want to slowly swap out all the steering components one by one and maybe not getting a satisfactory result, been down that road.
What do you think? cheers!
The solution was to get the steering wheel angle sensor realigned, it has only been a few days fixed for me and im having to wait for the tyres to wear right but for me its fixed the issues i was having.
If you have had an alignment, had checks to see nothing bent worn or broken and youve maintained tyre well with pressure etc which it seems you have then this is where id suggest looking next.
It's a common fault with the electric racks in the 1 series. I had it on my M135i.
Goodluck trying to find a dealer that will replace it though. I had a massive fight with Dick Lovett Bristol as apparently it was normal, and BMW weren't authorising any replacements. Hull, the supplying dealer said wtf are they talking about, it's faulty and should be replaced. an email to the CEO of bmw UK, asking what the truth was resulted in no response, unsurprisingly, I did however, get a grovelling phone call from the dealer and I asked them why they refused to acknowledge it, when less than 250 miles later when driven to Hull it was covered. They couldn't answer.
TL;DR:
It's common, if it's in warranty get it replaced. Don't take s
t from dealers, and push back if they say it's "normal"
Goodluck trying to find a dealer that will replace it though. I had a massive fight with Dick Lovett Bristol as apparently it was normal, and BMW weren't authorising any replacements. Hull, the supplying dealer said wtf are they talking about, it's faulty and should be replaced. an email to the CEO of bmw UK, asking what the truth was resulted in no response, unsurprisingly, I did however, get a grovelling phone call from the dealer and I asked them why they refused to acknowledge it, when less than 250 miles later when driven to Hull it was covered. They couldn't answer.
TL;DR:
It's common, if it's in warranty get it replaced. Don't take s
t from dealers, and push back if they say it's "normal"I had a similar sounding issue with a Golf I had years ago. Took it in to Kwik Fit (I was desperate), after 20 mins they diagnosed the universal joints needed replacing at a cost of £450 "we can fit you in now..."
Needless to say took it in to local garage. They spent several hours examining it when they discovered 2 of the 4 engine mounting bolts were missing and one of the 2 remaining was just about to fall out. Fixed it for £90.
Needless to say took it in to local garage. They spent several hours examining it when they discovered 2 of the 4 engine mounting bolts were missing and one of the 2 remaining was just about to fall out. Fixed it for £90.
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