Crunching/creaking during low speed steering
Discussion
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.
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 tooGet 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
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.
Just bumping this as I've still not got to the bottom of it. Typically, the noise went away when I took the car to the garage, then came back a couple of days later!
It's only when turning at low speed such as when entering or exiting a parking space, not when taking gentle bends at speed. Doesn't happen over bumps or when driving in a straight line.
Although the sound is when turning, such as to imply something related to steering, it sounds as though it's coming from the left rear corner, though that could be weird vehicle acoustics. I once had a front spring go on my old E36 but it sounded like a loud bang at the rear!
I can't find a recording of a car making the same noise but I did find this sound effect which is almost identical...
https://youtu.be/zcoDsPk28BM?si=L018fV6qjFnd5rmH
ETA: Just found this which is the closest thing I've found yet:
https://youtu.be/_JWjuc14eps?si=gu9pMv7YV0SK7EAj&a...
It's only when turning at low speed such as when entering or exiting a parking space, not when taking gentle bends at speed. Doesn't happen over bumps or when driving in a straight line.
Although the sound is when turning, such as to imply something related to steering, it sounds as though it's coming from the left rear corner, though that could be weird vehicle acoustics. I once had a front spring go on my old E36 but it sounded like a loud bang at the rear!
I can't find a recording of a car making the same noise but I did find this sound effect which is almost identical...
https://youtu.be/zcoDsPk28BM?si=L018fV6qjFnd5rmH
ETA: Just found this which is the closest thing I've found yet:
https://youtu.be/_JWjuc14eps?si=gu9pMv7YV0SK7EAj&a...
Edited by MitchT on Monday 25th August 21:48
MitchT said:
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!
Didn't you do what it does when it does it with the mechanic in the car as if he drives it different to you it may not happen?Do we assume that you aren't doing the work yourself?
I don't think it's case of "driving the car differently". It does it when turning very slowly such as reversing into a parking space or driving out of one. How differently could anyone else drive the car in that scenario? The noise went away on the day I went to the garage and also the following day, so it wasn't just the mechanic driving the car causing it to stop. It was just one of those annoying cases of the fault disappearing when you get someone to look at it, then returning after. It's been going on for months.
No, I won't be doing the work myself. Don't have the knowledge or the facilities. Just wondered if anyone recognised the noise (see my last post) so I can give the guy a clue.
No, I won't be doing the work myself. Don't have the knowledge or the facilities. Just wondered if anyone recognised the noise (see my last post) so I can give the guy a clue.
Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 26th August 09:24
My thought with your description is front top mount bearings, hence why it’s audible at low speed, where there’s more steering input required and a higher load on them.
May be worth getting someone to go lock to lock when stationary and using a screwdriver as a stethoscope on the top mount under the bonnet.
May be worth getting someone to go lock to lock when stationary and using a screwdriver as a stethoscope on the top mount under the bonnet.
Thanks - that's given me something more definitive to search for. Sounds just like this: https://youtube.com/shorts/QMOn-Qcot1c?si=EYiYhPQg...
Question is, is the car safe to drive until it's fixed?
Question is, is the car safe to drive until it's fixed?
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