Slight rattle felt through steering wheel (E46 coupe)

[oktapod]

Hi folks.

I've noticed a slight rattle sensation when the 330Ci goes over bumps or cat's eyes. Though at first I wondered if it were a problem with the mechanics, I'm not so sure - the sensation is more like what you'd feel if there were a part loose in the steering column or its surrounding fascia. Of course, I could be wrong. I'm loathe to mess with it in the meantime, but any suggestions are appreciated.

Is/are there any known issues which might give this sort of symptom in E46 coupes (mine is a late 2001 model). Any ideas?

Thanks,

John

[pstruck]

Do you get the same if you dab/jab the brakes? This may be a sign of the all-too-common wear in front suspension bushes.

I feel a very slight knock through my steering when I jab the brakes. I asked my local indy to check the front bushes, which he says are weak, but not completely shot and will need replacing in the not too distant.

I think the main culprits are the front lower wishbone bushes. Have them checked out.

Edited by pstruck on Monday 20th April 20:56

[ASR1]

Most probably your front wishbone bushes, inexpensive and worthwhile to replace. Mine lasted 75k miles.

[oktapod]

Ah, yeah, there's a sensation of that with the brakes too - will get it checked out.

Any idea where to get the parts (my old man has his own garage, quite handy, so it'd make sense to get him to fit them as I expect the car would need to go up on a ramp?)

[john_p]

I get this but no noise on braking. I suspected the universal joint in the steering column but there doesn't seem to be any excess play when turning the wheel. I get the rattling noise behind the instrument cluster. What else is there to check?

[mike325112]

Our 3series does this under hard braking. I think ours is the bushes as well. Looks a pig to change though.

[oktapod]

I think I will get the bushes done regardless, so that I know when they were done (can't see any notes in the service history to suggest it's been done before, though the dealer claimed they had... ha!)

How difficult a job is it (for a pro with lift and all the tools, though on account of him being my old man, not a lot of patience ;-)

[oktapod]

I've done some searching: any comments about the suitability of these:
http://tinyurl.com/cuzuq9

...and whether you reckon I'd be better off with stock bushes or these?

thanks

[oktapod]

And one last question: what are the consequences of not getting this done right now, and waiting a couple of months until MOT time? That way I could kill two birds with one stone...

Have to stress: the knocking isn't terrible or anything, just a bit of a distraction. However, I know it could get worse. Would other damage occur if I put up with it for a while, do you think?

[RLK500]

As already mentioned, possible causes are :-

1. Chocoloate wishbones - these fail regularly on E46
2. ARB drop links
3. Sticking brake caliper - strangely not very noticeable when braking but you can get a vibration/sensation of something loose in the steering.

I have had all three on mine..........but it has done a gazillion miles.......

[bazking69]

The thing is mine hasn't got a gazzilion miles on it (85k) and it has the same issues, and feels like a car with more like 185k on it.

If you move the wheel finger tip gently to the left and right, ie a matter of mm, there feels like play in the steering, but actually in the spline column if you know what I mean. A tiny knock at worst.

If you wiggle the steering wheel left to right quickly ie quarter turns there is an evident knock on the steering coming from either the rack or UJ, or something in that vacinity, clearly heard from outside the car, especially when it is on the ramp.

It also has a faint wobble above 80MPH that turns into a violent wobble by about 100MPH.

You also get a faint kick back up through the column from bumps and undulations in the road at random intervals, that again actually feels like it is in the column.

I need to get it up on the ramp and have a proper look, but it's looking like a new rack, track rod ends and UJ for good measure while there.

I have had the wishbones and bushes done about 5k ago (along with discs, pads and ARB drop links), but they were non genuine ones which I have heard stories about failing again after just a few thousand miles, so I'll get them checked again and if there is any play I will get the lot done again with Febi ones.

I'm looking at getting the car on the ramp this week, so I'll report back if I find anything.

[oktapod]

Doesn't sound good. I'm hoping in my case it's nothing so serious, but at 103k I can accept that there may be components at the end of their natural life.

No rush to replace though - it's a very subtle thing still, and I'd rather get the ATF replaced first (see other post)

[cushT]

My old 328 had the same symptoms,knocking on bumps & a slight judder through the wheel. i left it for a while & it just got worse & eventualy shook the car at anything over 50 mph regardless of the road surface!
Turned out it was the bottom ball joint. £70 sorted it