F30 Steering Rack Official Fix??

[momo1]

Ok so I bought my car in November last year from BMW Sandton Auto.
It had 75000km and Motorplan still active.
Ive researched all F30 issues before buying and had known about the steering rack noise.
on the 3rd or 4th day of driving it, there was a faint nose coming from the right side front if I went over a rough piece of road or a bump.
Very faint but still noticeable .
I immediately took the car back and advised my consultant , it was returned to me after 2 days and as per a “thorough” inspection they did not replace anything and I was assured everything is fine.
Took it back the second time and they replaced the tie rod ends and was told noise would be gone.
It didn’t , on the 3rd occasion and after much drama they changed all the shocks and mounts and I was told its now 100%.
On the 4th time they were clueless and said they needed someone from BMW technical to advise further.
Note that I had known it to be the steering rack and on each occasion when I brought it up I was told it wasn’t.
Anyway the guy from BMW technical comes and does the inspection, he immediately swings the steering to full lock on idle and even though faint it , the noise is still noticeable.
He confirms it’s the steering rack, and it’s a known issue blah blah blah but unfortunately they will not replace it as there is no mechanical flaw.
Below is the official document I received from BMW SA.

I now see there is an official fix
part number:32 10 6 891 974

I just wanted to know if anyone has used this and can confirm the noise is gone.

I know its faint, I know its not an issue , I know il only hear it when driving over bad roads , but I would still like to have it resolved.

 

[sanesh21]

Keen to know as well,

Mine went in this week and apparently the fix was done, however i still surely hear a feint noise. Steering feel isnt as direct (variable sport steering) as before, so im unsure if maybe it needs to be coded after the fix? Waiting on the dealer to advise.

 

[NtandoN]

Is this widespread? I haven't had an issue with my steering rack.

 

[M135i]

When i complained about the same noise, the first thing they changed was the steering rack...I googled the issue and thought well great this should be sorted.
Anyway, upon receiving the car the noise was still there when turning.
They then replaced the tie rod end on the right.
This didn't resolve the issue, and then i was told its a characteristic of the car and they cant change that..

Anyway i decided to check myself and traced it to the upper shock mount. Told them to change that and voila. Offered myself a position in the technical BMW team at this dealership and they didn't seem amused when i suggested their mech's were below par. :biglol:

 

[S1NGH 911]

Bullshit!

Mine had the noise, it went it last year and they changed the steering rack.....

The steering rack is a known issue on the F30, I have heard about the repair kit but I would not settle for this if my car is under plan....




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[lebofa]

Last I checked they didn't even have the repair kit in SA. Mine has the same issue and I was told its 'Normal' on the F30. which is Bull S**t.

 

[VernonD]

Ok so I bought my car in November last year from BMW Sandton Auto.
It had 75000km and Motorplan still active.
Ive researched all F30 issues before buying and had known about the steering rack noise.
on the 3rd or 4th day of driving it, there was a faint nose coming from the right side front if I went over a rough piece of road or a bump.
Very faint but still noticeable .
I immediately took the car back and advised my consultant , it was returned to me after 2 days and as per a “thorough” inspection they did not replace anything and I was assured everything is fine.
Took it back the second time and they replaced the tie rod ends and was told noise would be gone.
It didn’t , on the 3rd occasion and after much drama they changed all the shocks and mounts and I was told its now 100%.
On the 4th time they were clueless and said they needed someone from BMW technical to advise further.
Note that I had known it to be the steering rack and on each occasion when I brought it up I was told it wasn’t.
Anyway the guy from BMW technical comes and does the inspection, he immediately swings the steering to full lock on idle and even though faint it , the noise is still noticeable.
He confirms it’s the steering rack, and it’s a known issue blah blah blah but unfortunately they will not replace it as there is no mechanical flaw.
Below is the official document I received from BMW SA.

I now see there is an official fix
part number:32 10 6 891 974

I just wanted to know if anyone has used this and can confirm the noise is gone.

I know its faint, I know its not an issue , I know il only hear it when driving over bad roads , but I would still like to have it resolved.

Can you put an audio clip on the forum to listen to because I also read some beemers talking about it but I don't know what it sounds like? I also don't understand why a steering rack noise will be a known characteristic if only certain cars have that noise.

 

[momo1]

Ok So I bought this kit
anyone know where I can get it done? Suspension Specialist preferably

 

[momo1]

I had the kit fitted on by Joburg City auto and can confirm all is well, no more play in steering wheel and no more noise, feels waayyyyy better than when I just purchased the car, but then again the new Michelins also play a part ...😁😁😁😁😁

 

[zippy320]

Do the F30 LCI suffer from this as well?

 

[S1NGH 911]

Do the F30 LCI suffer from this as well?

Haven't heard of any


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[Hassim]

i think the X3 also suffers with the same problem

 

[Iceman007]

I can confirm I had this kit fitted 2013 320d. The parts that come out look completely different just a white teflon guide with I think a screw cap and spring. The one that goes in looks much better built and just for info they do use a special tool to install. If not installed corectly the steering can freeze on you aparently. My 2016 330d has not had this I think the new racks come with this guide already

 

[FerdiBotha]

Do the F30 LCI suffer from this as well?

Yes indeed.

My mother's F30 LCI 320d has this issue. Will take it up with BMW on the next service and see what excuses they come up with.

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[Tiaan320d]

I had the kit fitted on by Joburg City auto and can confirm all is well, no more play in steering wheel and no more noise, feels waayyyyy better than when I just purchased the car, but then again the new Michelins also play a part ...

Hi There, I know this is an old thread, but after reading the comments my one suffers from the same issue. Where did you purchase the repair kit from, the dealer? Thanks

 

[Iceman007]

Dealer yes. They the only ones that have.

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

Hi guys,anyone has the tool to replace this or knows someone who can replace it?

 

[Solo Man]

I wanted to replace the steering rack thingie (for lack of the correct word) but found that the later models F30 (build date 5/2015) (just before face lift and lci) has a different part than my car (2012 F30 320d manual). Ended up using it on my car as it also had a knocking noise coming from the steering rack. It is nice and quiet now. Any way, on my son's similar car he has been complaining about a knock coming from the front suspension since he bought the car and we looked but could not find anything loose or worn. Last week i changed the brake pads and when fitting the left front wheel found it to have a lot of play from the upper control arm where it connects to the hub. Replaced the upper control arm with a new one and noise is gone. Btw., did not need any special tools for the steering rack thingie. Made my own tool to loosen the "nut"

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

I wanted to replace the steering rack thingie (for lack of the correct word) but found that the later models F30 (build date 5/2015) (just before face lift and lci) has a different part than my car (2012 F30 320d manual). Ended up using it on my car as it also had a knocking noise coming from the steering rack. It is nice and quiet now. Any way, on my son's similar car he has been complaining about a knock coming from the front suspension since he bought the car and we looked but could not find anything loose or worn. Last week i changed the brake pads and when fitting the left front wheel found it to have a lot of play from the upper control arm where it connects to the hub. Replaced the upper control arm with a new one and noise is gone. Btw., did not need any special tools for the steering rack thingie. Made my own tool to loosen the "nut"

How did you make the tool if i may ask

 

[Solo Man]

I took a piece of flat iron about 300mm long 8mm thick and wide enough to be able to drill three holes the diameter of the holes in the "cap" of the "tensioneer" that is on the steering rack. Then i took a i think it was a 6mm drill bit and cut that into three short lengths long enough to protrude through the holes and into the cap and spot welded them onto the flat steel. At first i battled to get the holes in the right position as it is quite a tight fit for the 6mm pins to fit into the holes of the cap but after some practice i got it right. Did file them down a bit to get a tight fit. The first tool did not work but eventually i got it right. It quite easily got the cap out. After you have replaced the "vee part" you have to tighten the cap just enough so that the steering is self centering otherwise it is to tight. I had to take the car for a few test drives to get it right but eventually found the sweet spot where the steering was self centering and also did not knock. I made the tool at my son's house so am not there at the moment but when i get there i will take a picture of the tool. It is easier to make the tool when you have the new cap at hand as you don't have to get under the car to take measurements. Also, i have ramps, so driving the car up on the ramps every time you go to test the tightness is not a chore.