Steering creak

G

g1344304

Member
OK folks, I have had these two noises throughout my M ownership, they never got better or worse. Hoping you guys can help with remedies/diagnosis. I have recorded some quick videos to help diagnose.

Noise 1: Steering creak - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVoTA4eO9OQ

Ignore the noise my hand is making on the steering wheel, its the clicking behind that.
This is audible at low speed such as parking manoeuvres. Once the speed increases it is hard to hear. I have greased the steering column exit point in the engine bay and as a last ditch effort I have spent the last few days taking off the steering wheel and lubing as much of the inner steering column as possible (now I have a bloody airbag light because of this!). I have also had the power steering fluid changed recently and tightened strut braces just incase it is related to either of those. I think the same noise is covered in this thread but there were never any final remedies found: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=31106

Edit: Solved!

Top of suspension spring was catching in its seat and clicking. Just needed lubrication :)
 
I'm interested in this and would be glad of suggestions how to deal with them. I have almost exactly the same rattle upon depressing the clutch - again, pretty much first gear only for me - I have no symptoms in other gears. It only happens for me when the drivetrain is disengaged - i.e. from first into neutral. It sounds like a stress being removed from the prop shafts maybe that does it? - my feeling is that it comes from the rear. Any thoughts welcome. I have to say that, whilst I do notice it, it's been part and parcel of the car from the beginning amd I am used to it - doesn't really detract from any driving pleasure but if it was an easy-ish fix, I'd try to do it myself or have it done for me.

I also have a creaky steering wheel. To elucidate, it is not the wheel itself - don't think the first video is the same issue as mine, it certainly sounds like the steering colum/shaft, limited to very slow speeds as well - so parking mainly/reversing out of the drive. Very bearable from the driver's seat but just one of those things that, if it was an easy fix, I'd be on it.

OP - problem shared and all that...

Stevo
 
That steering creak Is incredibly annoying . I'm pleased to report I've never had such noise .

The clutch rattle doesn't sound like clutch rattle to me , it sounds like driveline shunt noise , kinda normal tbh....


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Steering noise could be loose steering rack mount bolts ? Clutch noise maybe DMF ? , hard to tell ...can you hear the steering noise under the bonnet ?
 
Sorry not sure what DMF means? You can't really hear the steering noise as clearly under the bonnet. It is almost certainly coming from between the steering wheel and firewall.
 
g1344304 said:
Sorry not sure what DMF means? You can't really hear the steering noise as clearly under the bonnet. It is almost certainly coming from between the steering wheel and firewall.
Click to expand...

Hi,
DMF = dual mass flywheel... basically the springs that used to be in the clutch plate are now in a more complex two piece flywheel... and they do give some trouble

If the noise is cabin side then I would be thinking about a steering column strip down to see. what it is , maybe its the steering column mounts, have you tried adjusting the height/rake on the steering to see if the noise changes ?

Good luck !
 
Yep, I have moved it around as much as possible, before and after lubing, and it makes no difference to the sound :(
 
Just swung by Munich legends to see what they think and I feel fairly confident after talking to a mechanic there. He is convinced the steering noise is to do with the column being too tight against the rack and it should be 30mins to fix. He also seemed fine with the clutch rattle as they all have a lot of slack in the drive train. I feel mine is a bit louder than usual but he says it's normal. Also felt very comfortable talking to the guys there, no pressure, they even reset my airbag light without me asking or them wanting payment. Anyway, I've booked in for an hour next week so will update if it gets sorted.
 
g1344304 said:
Just swung by Munich legends to see what they think and I feel fairly confident after talking to a mechanic there. He is convinced the steering noise is to do with the column being too tight against the rack and it should be 30mins to fix. He also seemed fine with the clutch rattle as they all have a lot of slack in the drive train. I feel mine is a bit louder than usual but he says it's normal. Also felt very comfortable talking to the guys there, no pressure, they even reset my airbag light without me asking or them wanting payment. Anyway, I've booked in for an hour next week so will update if it gets sorted.
Click to expand...


:thumbsup: makes sense :)
 
g1344304 said:
Just swung by Munich legends to see what they think and I feel fairly confident after talking to a mechanic there. He is convinced the steering noise is to do with the column being too tight against the rack and it should be 30mins to fix. He also seemed fine with the clutch rattle as they all have a lot of slack in the drive train. I feel mine is a bit louder than usual but he says it's normal. Also felt very comfortable talking to the guys there, no pressure, they even reset my airbag light without me asking or them wanting payment. Anyway, I've booked in for an hour next week so will update if it gets sorted.
Click to expand...


as said... driveline shunt... basically the noises as the drivetrain releases/takes on tension under certain circumstances.... all these cars will make the same noise to a degree.
 
g1344304 said:
Beedub, in your experience can the noise be improved at all? Mine is pretty noticeable.
Click to expand...


honestly?? its more about your technique that makes louder, i can make my sound much louder by unloading it in a certain way.
 
was worried that my rattle was the clutch but BMW said the same. Sometimes I don't hear it for weeks then when I don't drive it for a couple of weeks and disengage sharply I get it. Almost sounds like a blow off valve.. chhu chhu chuu chuuu :driving:

All to do with how fast come on the clutch at low speed I find
 
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