E39 523i Troubles

[L~C~G]

My dad has a E39 and we have recently changed the LCA bushes and the shocks in an attempt to sort out a knocking sound that was coming from the front of the car.

Now the car is making a knocking sound while you are turning the steering wheel when stationary or moving. If you turn the steering when the engine is off there is no sound.

The noise seems to be coming from the right hand side of the engine bay and sounds very similar to a cv joint noise only much louder. We suspected the universal joint on the steering column but as I said there is no sound when the engine is off so that cant be the cause.

It seems like it must be something on the power steering / steering rack side of the system but what could it be and who would be the best person to take it to?

 

[anton-sa]

aps services and repairs in stikland bellville

 

[rick540]

Seems like you are describing a seized ball joint. They resist being turned and as they give each time it makes a knock in the steering box. It could be quiet when off because the power steering is not there to react to the sudden "give"

 

[slowe30]

I agree with Rick. Also I would check out the sway bar mounts as they can also cause such a noise.

 

[L~C~G]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The car was booked into to Tune Tech last Thursday but the sound stopped suddenly on Wednesday morning. We cancelled the booking because there is no point trying to find out what is causing a sound that has gone away.

So far it has not come back but if it does ill let you know what we found.

 

[///MALCOLM325]

Reading your post and having a small laugh, not at you but at these cars, don't know if you remember but I had a similar problem with a noise that a few BMW dealerships and a handful of mechanics could not find on my 540. Turned out to be a failed prop shaft centre bearing..

If I was you, book it in anyway. Let them have a thorough check - all suspension joints and then have them take a look at the prop shaft coupling and centre bearing for wear.

Good luck...Still love the E39!