Is this normal? Steering noise

[rookie975]

Cheers Adamski,

However this isn't a slight whine, it sounds like a school of Whales being strangled in unison...

 

[rookie975]

Right a bit of an update for those that have this problem.

I managed to sort this out by lubricating the steering rack. If you feel the tie rod ends while someone else turns the wheel you will feel a strong vibration when the noise is audible. This vibration is transmitted from the internals of the rack.

If you remove the rubber boor on the drivers side of the rack you'll be able to see the gear teeth visible on the bottom of the rack similar to those in the following picture

Now my rack was very dry and there did not appear to be any kind of lubricant visible. I applied some copper grease to the rack teeth and applied a few lock to lock turns. To my surprise there was no more noise! I'm really pleased about this as the noise was very loud and it could be very embarrassing! To fix this for a few quid is a result in my book

So if you have this problem get yourself some copper grease and a replacement boot clip - BMW part 32111095897 £5.00 (or jubilee clip of similar size)
Loosen drivers side wheel bolts
Jack car up and pop it on an axle stand
Remove rack boot
Apply copper grease to steering rack
Perform a few lock to lock turns
Apply a bit more grease for good measure
Perform a few more lock to lock turns
Re-secure boot with new clip
Re-apply wheel and bolts
Lower car
Torque wheel bolts
Enjoy some lovely quiet steering

Obviously I don't know how long this will be effective for and a replacement rack might be a long term solution for this, but if we're lucky it might not

Either way its got to be worth a try for a few quid and 30 minutes of your time

 

[RJS-Z4]

Nice effort, your video link is genius. I had this noise a month ago or so and totally wrote it off as being something more complicated then it went away. I'll try your solution if it returns mate!

 

[martl20]

it sounds like a school of Whales being strangled in unison , I didn't have to see the movie anymore because that's indeed exactly what it sounds like. Very Embarrassing noise parking your car.

Lubricating the steering rack at the driver's side also fixed this for me.

Thanks very much Rook975!

 

[jakblade]

Mine makes this noise too. I thought it might be the front suspension top mounts as the strut turns through the mount. But will give the steering rack job a try first. Thanks for the thread..

 

[MrPT]

Great guide, rookie975. Always wondered about the noise mine makes but it definitely doesn't sound anything like asphyxiated whales.

There was an attachment in the sticky steering thread somewhere, or might have been bimmerforum..... the EPS in the non M Z4s will make a slight whine whilst stationary, and when turned quickly

Made this recording a while ago after retrofitting the Sound Generator. Sounds in line with the above.

 

[Evil_elvis]

Is this the noise you guys are talking about?

If so mine also does it every now and then when it is warmer outside (much more so on left hand turns). It has completely stopped recently due to the cooler temperatures, but I would like to get to the bottom of it as it is annoying when it does happen...

Bing would you letting us know in a bit more details where the bolts are that you were refering to?

That's it! I have this too!
And yea it's temperature related, it tends to happen when I've ragged the car for a good hour first.

I'll try the lube option

 

[Limonge]

Obviously I don't know how long this will be effective for and a replacement rack might be a long term solution for this, but if we're lucky it might not

Hello! Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I have the same horrible noise... Did this fix last long? Thanks!!

 

[andystone]

Hope so as recently greased mine!

 

[Nharris89]

Right a bit of an update for those that have this problem.

I managed to sort this out by lubricating the steering rack. If you feel the tie rod ends while someone else turns the wheel you will feel a strong vibration when the noise is audible. This vibration is transmitted from the internals of the rack.

If you remove the rubber boor on the drivers side of the rack you'll be able to see the gear teeth visible on the bottom of the rack similar to those in the following picture



Now my rack was very dry and there did not appear to be any kind of lubricant visible. I applied some copper grease to the rack teeth and applied a few lock to lock turns. To my surprise there was no more noise! I'm really pleased about this as the noise was very loud and it could be very embarrassing! To fix this for a few quid is a result in my book

So if you have this problem get yourself some copper grease and a replacement boot clip - BMW part 32111095897 £5.00 (or jubilee clip of similar size)
Loosen drivers side wheel bolts
Jack car up and pop it on an axle stand
Remove rack boot
Apply copper grease to steering rack
Perform a few lock to lock turns
Apply a bit more grease for good measure
Perform a few more lock to lock turns
Re-secure boot with new clip
Re-apply wheel and bolts
Lower car
Torque wheel bolts
Enjoy some lovely quiet steering

Obviously I don't know how long this will be effective for and a replacement rack might be a long term solution for this, but if we're lucky it might not

Either way its got to be worth a try for a few quid and 30 minutes of your time

Sorry to also jump onto an old thread here, I have started to get the dreaded whale whining noise this weekend in the bank holiday heat, so guess greasing the rack is my first port of call. From what you're saying here, do I access the rack by removing the front drivers side wheel and it will be behind there? I had read also that you access it through the panel under the steering wheel so I just want to make sure I'm not going at it the wrong way!

Thanks all!

 

[namburger]

Narris89 did you ever figure it out? I started hearing this noise

 

[BumpyZ4]

Narris89 did you ever figure it out? I started hearing this noise

Here's the fix.

"I managed to sort this out by lubricating the steering rack. If you feel the tie rod ends while someone else turns the wheel you will feel a strong vibration when the noise is audible. This vibration is transmitted from the internals of the rack.

If you remove the rubber boor on the drivers side of the rack you'll be able to see the gear teeth visible on the bottom of the rack"

 

[namburger]

If you remove the rubber boor on the drivers side of the rack you'll be able to see the gear teeth visible on the bottom of the rack

Could you please show me exactly where it is located?

 

[BumpyZ4]

If you remove the rubber boor on the drivers side of the rack you'll be able to see the gear teeth visible on the bottom of the rack

Could you please show me exactly where it is located?

Pull back the rubber boot and turn the steering wheel all the way one way, that will expose the teeth of the steering rack. Grease the exposed teeth.

 

[namburger]

Pull back the rubber boot and turn the steering wheel all the way one way, that will expose the teeth of the steering rack. Grease the exposed teeth.
ATTACHMENTS

Steering.jpg (42.83 KiB) Viewed 1 time

Amazing, thank you. I'll do this when I get off work today!

 

[namburger]

Pull back the rubber boot and turn the steering wheel all the way one way, that will expose the teeth of the steering rack. Grease the exposed teeth.
ATTACHMENTS

Steering.jpg (42.83 KiB) Viewed 1 time

Amazing, thank you. I'll do this when I get off work today!