F30 Steering Rack Official Fix??

[momo1]

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.

@lebofa also had a tool made

funny that I had the original BMW tool the service technician left in my car after fixing the issue.
called me back the next in a panic

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

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.

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

Ended uo making one today

 

[Solo Man]

Great, looks better than mine and probably works better too!!

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

Worked perfectly...if anyone whats to use it give me a shout...bmw changes 2700 for fitment,can easily be done yourself

 

[wades]

Worked perfectly...if anyone whats to use it give me a shout...bmw changes 2700 for fitment,can easily be done yourself

Hi Riyaad, keen to take you up on the offer to use your tool if still available? Let me know please.

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

Sure n.p please dm. Will make arrangements

 

[Solo Man]

When fitting the new part i tightened the screw cap until it was "tight" and went for a drive. The steering would not return to straight ahead after turning so went back and unscrew the cap a bit and went for another drive. Repeated the procedure untill the steering would return to straight ahead withhout effort. Steering rack was quiet after final adjustment and steering felt fine then and up to the present time.

 

[ooovie]

Sure n.p please dm. Will make arrangements

Howzit
Lol i still havent done mine. I eventually took the part out of the boot and its laying in the garage.

 

[KPM3_30]

Does anyone have a referral for fitment of the bush besides the agents in Jhb?

 

[globaljaco]

Morning all

New to this forum as I’m scratching around doing some homework before pulling the plug on a F30 for swambo. Was this steering rack issue sorted by BMW in later F30 models or should I be potentially prepared for this?Looking at a couple of 2018 320i’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Solo Man]

I do not think that the problem exists in later models as i wanted to change the part on my son's 2016 non lci (built date was in 2015) as it already had a revised part in which was completely different to the one on my car 2012 F30. Also, the knock we heard on his car was from a front control arm ball joint being worn quite badly. So no, do not think there is a problem with 2018 year cars to answer your question.

 

[Nomad77]

Does anyone have a referral for fitment of the bush besides the agents in Jhb?

Bit of a necro here but I'm looking for someone as well.

This silly noise is driving me crazy going over JHBs terrible roads

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

You can do it yourself i have the tool if u want to use it

Bit of a necro here but I'm looking for someone as well.

This silly noise is driving me crazy going over JHBs terrible roads

 

[zippy320]

Hi guys! reviving an old thread here .

So my F30 320i LCI is now making this terrible noise at 140k , Had the car on a lift this afternoon and the noise is definitely coming from the middle , from the rack .

Is this only for those cars that have the sport variable sorta steering racks or will this work on the Normal Standard cars as well? It also mentions Thyssen steering systems ? Im sure this car has a ZF system , How does one identify it?

On Realoem it states

ATTENTION!
This repair kit is only a solution for
vehicles with acoustic irregularities
in the steering gear!
It is mandatory to observe the repair
instructions!
The repair kit is only logical for
Thyssen steering systems (High and
Sport).

It makes this noise while turning and when on an uneven surface . On a positive note , I See the special socket is for sale on temu for R114 lol and funny enough , they also sell the repair kit for R551! If my car does use this ill buy the kit from BMW but the socket from Temu and attempt this fix , but im not sure if this fix is for my car .

Any idea if this fix works for both the standard ZF rack and the other Thyssen rack?

SO Update : Decided to do a little digging , had a look at the car and it seems to be a ZF rack with just the nut ,( The Thyssen rack has the 3 holes and the ZF has a nut at the top ) apparently with this , the only thing you should do is tighten the nut a little . Will try tightening it a pinch and see how it goes .

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Hi guys! reviving an old thread here .

So my F30 320i LCI is now making this terrible noise at 140k , Had the car on a lift this afternoon and the noise is definitely coming from the middle , from the rack .

Is this only for those cars that have the sport variable sorta steering racks or will this work on the Normal Standard cars as well? It also mentions Thyssen steering systems ? Im sure this car has a ZF system , How does one identify it?

On Realoem it states

ATTENTION!
This repair kit is only a solution for
vehicles with acoustic irregularities
in the steering gear!
It is mandatory to observe the repair
instructions!
The repair kit is only logical for
Thyssen steering systems (High and
Sport).

It makes this noise while turning and when on an uneven surface . On a positive note , I See the special socket is for sale on temu for R114 lol and funny enough , they also sell the repair kit for R551! If my car does use this ill buy the kit from BMW but the socket from Temu and attempt this fix , but im not sure if this fix is for my car .

Any idea if this fix works for both the standard ZF rack and the other Thyssen rack?

If you have an LCI then you more than likely have the ZF rack in your car and the repair kit will not work.

The easy way to check is look at the steering rack where the thrust bushing is, if yours has a nut that can be opened with a normal hex socket and not the special 3 pin socket then its indeed the ZF rack and not the thyssenkrupp steering rack. The early F30's have the thyssenkrupp rack and later ones from 2015ish have the ZF racks.

 

[zippy320]

If you have an LCI then you more than likely have the ZF rack in your car and the repair kit will not work.

The easy way to check is look at the steering rack where the thrust bushing is, if yours has a nut that can be opened with a normal hex socket and not the special 3 pin socket then its indeed the ZF rack and not the thyssenkrupp steering rack. The early F30's have the thyssenkrupp rack and later ones from 2015ish have the ZF racks.

yup , I have the ZF rack , it has the nut on it . its never easy with this car . Is there any way to get a replacement piece for this rack like the Thyssen rack? Im a little afraid of just tightening it , I know that this can, if done wrong, damage the rack or lock it up or make the steering heavy , or damage the motor , Id rather just replace the piece that's possibly causing the problem and torque it to the correct spec.