Slight click/clunk from steering column!!

[ecain63]

I dont know if anyone else has experienced this but ive noticed a slight click in the steering column under certain conditions.

The feeling is almost like the steering rack is loose in its bushing and as the car pulls away and the wieght is transferred off the front axles to the rear, tension is lifted and the rack clicks slightly. Same thing happens sometimes if i turn slowly out of a junction under light acceleration. You get a low level click as you put down some power.

Im thinking rack bushing or similar area. Control arms were only done about 10k ago so im hoping its not them on thier way out already.

Anyone else had this with any E60/61 model?

[simonpieman]

Hi I get exactly this on my E63. It is very annoying. From my reading elsewhere, I believe this is a fault with the steering rack and a problem on early E63s. Rather than replacing the rack, I am having the existing rack examined and refurbed if necessary by Kiley & Clinton (see post on remanufactured steering racks a page earlier).

This is happening tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Will keep you posted.

[ecain63]

Mine seems to have faded away and only clunks on odd occasions. If it appaears more regularly again i'll be taking it in for a warranty fix. Keep me posted too.

[ecain63]

After a slight return of the 'knock' this week I'm taking the car in to my dealer tomorrow. It's going to be test driven by the master tech and then, if my research is correct a new rack fitted during the week. I'll keep you posted on what they find.

[joscal]

Could it be the strut brace? I had an occasional clunk and it turned out it needed tightened.

[Contigo]

Yep felt this once and that annoying grind/whirr noise at full lock. Is that some fluid i need to change at next service?

[ecain63]

joscal said:

Could it be the strut brace? I had an occasional clunk and it turned out it needed tightened.

Dunno to be honest, but its worth a look.

[ecain63]

Contigo said:

Yep felt this once and that annoying grind/whirr noise at full lock. Is that some fluid i need to change at next service?

If you're getting that grinding noise from the diff on full lock then you can have the oil changed. It's not doing your diff any harm but the noise is worrying. Ask for the FM Booster oil to be added instead of the standard syrup. And remember to remind them every time it goes for a service incase they fit the OEM stuff again.

[skeeterm5]

I have been out and round the block a bit trying to recreate what you describe - I don't get anything like it at all in my 2008 e60 m5.

S

[ecain63]

At the dealer now. Barry (master tech) has felt the click and agrees its steering column related so it'll be checked Monday. Hopefully the fantastic warranty will reign supreme again.

[ecain63]

^^^ Oh, and i think Michael Barrymore was at the dealership this morning. Looked rough!

Was sure he had something to do with this, but maybe not:

[Contigo]

ecain63 said:

^^^ Oh, and i think Michael Barrymore was at the dealership this morning. Looked rough!

Was sure he had something to do with this, but maybe not:

Lol has he been at the pool again?

[ecain63]

Little update on the knock. Scotthall's workshop found 2 areas where a noise was coming from. The first area, which was fixed without the need for a roadtest was a lower strut brace which had come loose. The brace was retorqued and that particular noise has gone. Apparently this is pretty common according to the service bod.

The second noise is still there but due to the heavy rain today the tech hasnt been able to take the car out to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. It'll be dry tomorrow so hopefully i'll hear more.

They are aware of the more common areas that cause these knocks so i just need to leave it in their capable hands.

[ecain63]

Second update: New steering rack being fitted under warranty. Pick it up next week.

[simonpieman]

The adjustment / refurb of my steering rack solved my clicking/clunking noise almost completely. Kiley and Clinton did a great job - transformed the steering action. It's not perfect like a new rack would be, but good enough for me...and I'm pretty picky about things like this.

OP - I admire the way you worked into your thread a picture of a whale in a swimming pool. Most excellent.

[ecain63]

simonpieman said:

The adjustment / refurb of my steering rack solved my clicking/clunking noise almost completely. Kiley and Clinton did a great job - transformed the steering action. It's not perfect like a new rack would be, but good enough for me...and I'm pretty picky about things like this.

OP - I admire the way you worked into your thread a picture of a whale in a swimming pool. Most excellent.

[ecain63]

Got the car back! All seems well, no knocks, clicks or rattles. In fact the front end seems much tighter and the steering more positive. Job done and all under warranty. I reckon a couple of grand would have been the non-warranty outcome!