[WhiteBeard]

Solved

[mob17]

Wheres the sound coming from

[WhiteBeard]

Originally Posted by mob17

Wheres the sound coming from

It feels like it's coming from steering shaft, but maybe that's because I'm sitting inside when I'm turning the steering wheel to check. I can ask someone to turn steering wheel back and forth while I can listen closer to wheels where tie rods are - do you think that will help pinpoint issue? I can probably go to shop for diagnostics, but every-time you go to shop - they find lots of stuff lol you just can't win

[mob17]

I have a very similar issue. When going in and out of parking spots, ie slow turns i get 2 noises. Sometimes a twang, but most times a ticking noise, like tick tick tick... but mine is definitely coming from the wheels, garage said it could be the top mounts.

Best thing to do would be to take it to a garage and check all the bolts are torqued to spec first, and then get them to diagnose. Money will be well spent to ensure your steering/suspension is safe!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I get some "click" or knocking sounds (so far they are very quite clicks/knocks) when turning steering wheel left/right (kinda like repeatedly turning it a bit back and forth quickly) while standing/not moving. Is this tie rod/s or it's that infamous steering shaft/column issue?

Get your buddy to put his hand or finger on the tie rods while you work the wheel, he should be able to feel the click or clunk. If not, the sound is else where.

[Tim603]

Most of the time I have heard of this happening it has to do with the steering rack bolts being a little loose. People usually bring this up after they do downpipes as you have to unbolt the rack and move it to the side.

Starting there might not be a bad idea. Also what HP Autosport said about having a friend touch the tie rods is a good idea.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I get some "click" or knocking sounds (so far they are very quite clicks/knocks) when turning steering wheel left/right (kinda like repeatedly turning it a bit back and forth quickly) while standing/not moving. Is this tie rod/s or it's that infamous steering shaft/column issue?

On the E60, the front swaybar end links will cause this noise if they are worn.
I am sure the E90 is similar.

I had this noise on my 535i until I replaced the end links.
There was a slight knock/clunk that could be heard/felt when moving the wheel left and right with the car stationary and even worse with the engine off.

Additionally, there was a slight clunk when the road surface would grab one wheel and exhibit a force on the steering system. One wheel bumps on bumpy roads at low speeds made it most evident.

End links are cheap and easy to install. The old ones that came out were visually fine. Somehow they still clunked though. It's worth a try to replace them.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Tim603

Most of the time I have heard of this happening it has to do with the steering rack bolts being a little loose. People usually bring this up after they do downpipes as you have to unbolt the rack and move it to the side.

Starting there might not be a bad idea. Also what HP Autosport said about having a friend touch the tie rods is a good idea.

While doing that the movement at the rack can be seen as well if the rack bolts are loose.

[Sidewinderpb]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

It feels like it's coming from steering shaft, but maybe that's because I'm sitting inside when I'm turning the steering wheel to check. I can ask someone to turn steering wheel back and forth while I can listen closer to wheels where tie rods are - do you think that will help pinpoint issue? I can probably go to shop for diagnostics, but every-time you go to shop - they find lots of stuff lol you just can't win

It's the U-joint at the top of the steering shaft (assuming you can feel the clunk through the steering wheel).

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I get some "click" or knocking sounds (so far they are very quite clicks/knocks) when turning steering wheel left/right (kinda like repeatedly turning it a bit back and forth quickly) while standing/not moving. Is this tie rod/s or it's that infamous steering shaft/column issue?

FWIW, this is exactly what my steering shaft did when I had it replaced on my 2006 E90. It was under warranty though, at 28k miles so I'm not totally sure how much it cost.

[TomD335xicoupe]

JMHO I just had the lower steering shaft with the u/joints replaced four days ago. My problem was not audible. Steering would not return to center without serious effort on my part and every quarter turn I felt the joints bump/slip (can not think of the exact description of that movement) but if you are not sensing a stiffer steering or lack of return I might first consider another area then the lower shaft to look.

Originally Posted by TomD335xicoupe

JMHO I just had the lower steering shaft with the u/joints replaced four days ago. My problem was not audible. Steering would not return to center without serious effort on my part and every quarter turn I felt the joints bump/slip (can not think of the exact description of that movement) but if you are not sensing a stiffer steering or lack of return I might first consider another area then the lower shaft to look.

Mine was getting stiff and started showing reluctance to get back on center recently as well.

I blasted the joint with Kroil and it's been much better. I guess a good step to take during the diagnosis process is to do the same and see if you notice a difference.

[MakkkD]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Mine was getting stiff and started showing reluctance to get back on center recently as well.

I blasted the joint with Kroil and it's been much better. I guess a good step to take during the diagnosis process is to do the same and see if you notice a difference.

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Mine was getting stiff and started showing reluctance to get back on center recently as well.

I blasted the joint with Kroil and it's been much better. I guess a good step to take during the diagnosis process is to do the same and see if you notice a difference.

Did problem eventually persist later on? I did the same and it returned 4m later...don't want to have the joint snap on me

I still have no issues...no clunking, popping, stiffness, etc.