Groan from steering

[Duckers26]

Hi all, new to the forum and wondered if anyone could help with a problem that has started with my 2004 Z4 2.5. Once the car has been driven for some time and is properly warm the steering makes a groaning noise and a slight tugging/vibration when maneuvering the car. It only does it when moving at very low speed, not when moving along and there are no warning lights.

Having read some of the posts on here it sounds like it may be something to do with the EPS and if that needs replacing it is very expensive. The car has the comprehensive BMW insured warranty on it still. It is a bit of an intermittant problem at the moment so I have not taken it to the dealer but I wondered if anyone had experience of making such a claim?

Thanks!

 

[GuidoK]

sounds like this?
[youtube]vBNHeymKHpY[/youtube]

Lubricate the steering rack with bearing grease; the riggers that come out of it (remove the rubber boot):

 

[Duckers26]

sounds like this?
[youtube]vBNHeymKHpY[/youtube]

Lubricate the steering rack with bearing grease; the riggers that come out of it (remove the rubber boot):

Yes, that's exactly it! Even the same amount of lock on the steering when yours did it. Thanks very much, I thought this was going to be a big problem but hopefully this is the cause. I was recommended this forum from Pistonheads and it's already delivered twice now!

 

[Duckers26]

Quick further question, did yours only do it when the car was warm through rather than cold? Is there any reason why that would be the case?

 

[GuidoK]

I don't have this problem, but I know some people who do with z4's (but don't know if it's largely when warm).
It's not a common problem but it does happen and lubrication is almost always the answer.
Remove the clip from the rubber boot, lubricate and refit the boot with a jubilee clip or something like that.
BMW sells these specific hose clamps seperately:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/Europe/Z4_3.0i-M54/L-N/apr2004/browse/steering/steering_linkage_tie_rods/

The bmw hoseclamp needs a special pair of hoseclamp crimping pliers to fit; it's a use once hose clamp, cv boot clamp style.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CV-JOINT-BOOT-CLAMP-EAR-TYPE-PLIERS-RUBBER-BAND-HOSES-VACUUM-COOLANT-CLIPS-4C-/370900097324

(but I guess you can just as easily fit a normal style of hoseclamp that you can tighten with a screwdriver)

I've seen this problem on other type of cars too though (but relatively rare though)

 

[Rob_benton]

Before you start with the gators.
My Bmw Indy sprayed lube into the seal where the steering column shaft goes into the steering rack. That was 6 months ago and mine is perfect now. Once under the car, it's a 10 second job.

Mine used to do it only when hot by the way.

 

[Rob_benton]

Mine used to do it driving through London in the traffic to a football game.

Sounded like a whale calling out for a sex buddy !!!

 

[Duckers26]

Mine used to do it driving through London in the traffic to a football game.

Sounded like a whale calling out for a sex buddy !!!

I'd say it was more sad than frisky!

 

[Duckers26]

Took a video in case it didn't perform for garage, this is the noise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDfe-5QZlKk&feature=youtu.be

 

[Duckers26]

Just come back from garage who diagnosed the noise being heard/felt through front axle top mounts and said they should be replaced to stop it. As someone with zero mechanical knowledge I wanted a sense check that this sounds like a reasonable cause for noisy steering.

Thanks very much

 

[GuidoK]

Yes they can make noise too, alhough I imagine that would rather be a knocking or grinding noise.

If it's the cause or not is hard to tell from behind this computerscreen
But my money is on the outgoing riggers of the steering rack.

But if the garage can solve the problem... they solve the problem. They do that with 'no cure no pay'?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I like the sound of that plan, get them to put their money where their mouth is!

 

[Duckers26]

I would still have to pay I think even if it doesn't solve it. I will ask them to do the greasing you describe as well.

 

[Rob_benton]

Start with my spray as there's no labour involved ! Unless they charge for 10 seconds. Mines been fine for months now.

 

[Duckers26]

It was done a week ago (I didn't post in case it started again!) and seems to have cured it. PMW were excellent, very professional and talked and showed you the problem. Can now swing about in carpark without everyone turning around!

 

[fluxco]

Hi Ducker

did you grease inside of the rubber boot or at the input shaft?
thanks

 

[firebobby]

I met up with Andy C at a car meet at the Beaconsfield services and noticed my steering had started to groan while driving around the car park, a quick look on here and then a quick spray of grease on the steering column bushes and now all quite again .

 

[fluxco]

 

[oz-boz]

I had the same problem in the summer and it turned out to be the top mounts too

 

[z4all]

I met up with Andy C at a car meet at the Beaconsfield services and noticed my steering had started to groan while driving around the car park, a quick look on here and then a quick spray of grease on the steering column bushes and now all quite again .

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