Steering wheel feels notchy when turning hard?

Nick3237 · 02-26-2010, 10:55 AM

It's difficult to explain in words, but on my 325xi when I turn the wheel hard it doesn't feel completely smooth. It almost feels as though it is "skipping" but its not that dramatic and hasn't really affected my driving. Just feels notchy. Could it just be that its AWD? I brought it in to have BMW look at it twice and they dont seem to feel anything, but I can't tell if they know its just a bigger issue and they don't want to fix it. It is only slight, but I notice it.

Anyways, can any AWD members chime in here?

I've owned both RWD and FWD vehicles, but this is my first AWD....

BKV122 · 02-26-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick3237

It's difficult to explain in words, but on my 325xi when I turn the wheel hard it doesn't feel completely smooth. It almost feels as though it is "skipping" but its not that dramatic and hasn't really affected my driving. Just feels notchy. Could it just be that its AWD? I brought it in to have BMW look at it twice and they dont seem to feel anything, but I can't tell if they know its just a bigger issue and they don't want to fix it. It is only slight, but I notice it.

skipping as in like the wheels skidding?

But no ive never noticed it

adr1974 · 02-26-2010, 04:47 PM

I had something like this and it turned out to be the steering rack needed replacement.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=adr1974

Nick3237 · 02-26-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adr1974

I had something like this and it turned out to be the steering rack needed replacement.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=adr1974

that is EXACTLY what it feels like! Thank you! It definately happens during slow turning the most, and sometimes I feel it and other times i don't. It's not horrible, but I also know the feeling isnt right! I am going to try another BMW dealership and also go into it a little more confident on what the issue is.

adr1974 · 02-27-2010, 01:05 PM

Insist that they check the steering rack. I bet that's what it is. For me, most of the time it was manageable...but then it got worse and it almost felt like it was locking up. You don't want that to happen at any type of speed.

Nick3237 · 02-27-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adr1974

Insist that they check the steering rack. I bet that's what it is. For me, most of the time it was manageable...but then it got worse and it almost felt like it was locking up. You don't want that to happen at any type of speed.

I know, that is definately a safety issue. How has it been since you got it replaced?

adr1974 · 02-27-2010, 05:01 PM

After they fixed it, it was flawless. I've since sold the car -- wanted a sedan and didn't feel I needed AWD.

adr1974 · 03-02-2010, 09:49 PM

Any update on this? Curious to know what the problem was.

Nick3237 · 03-02-2010, 09:53 PM

i have an appointment on Thursday morning to go out with a technician for a drive. Only problem is, its the same technician that drove it before and seems to think there is nothing wrong..which just pisses me off, because anyone remotely in touch with their car would be able to feel it. I will let you know how it goes on Thursday!

I forwarded the service manager the link to your thread.."but they dont look at forum links" lol

Nick3237 · 03-04-2010, 01:57 PM

so i brought it in today to have a tech look at it, we didnt even go out on a test drive. they said because i had mentioned it quite a few times, they would just replace the steering rack, and possibly the steering pump. i just got a call a couple hours ago from them saying they need to do some "extensive" testing on it tomorrow before they can replace the parts because BMW required them to in order to fix the problem under warranty.

So as it stands now, im dropping it off for the day tomorrow so they can do some "extensive" testing. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

adr1974 · 03-10-2010, 10:35 AM

They fix the problem for you?

Nick3237 · 03-10-2010, 12:58 PM

got it back this morning, it seems to be fixed, they said it was the lower part of the steering column binding up?

but for now it's not doing it so im happy!

02-26-2010, 10:55 AM	#1
Nick3237 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 363 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (4)	Steering wheel feels notchy when turning hard? It's difficult to explain in words, but on my 325xi when I turn the wheel hard it doesn't feel completely smooth. It almost feels as though it is "skipping" but its not that dramatic and hasn't really affected my driving. Just feels notchy. Could it just be that its AWD? I brought it in to have BMW look at it twice and they dont seem to feel anything, but I can't tell if they know its just a bigger issue and they don't want to fix it. It is only slight, but I notice it. Anyways, can any AWD members chime in here? I've owned both RWD and FWD vehicles, but this is my first AWD....
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-26-2010, 04:47 PM	#3
adr1974 Lieutenant 135 Rep 416 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I had something like this and it turned out to be the steering rack needed replacement. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=adr1974
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2010, 01:05 PM	#5
adr1974 Lieutenant 135 Rep 416 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Insist that they check the steering rack. I bet that's what it is. For me, most of the time it was manageable...but then it got worse and it almost felt like it was locking up. You don't want that to happen at any type of speed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2010, 05:01 PM	#7
adr1974 Lieutenant 135 Rep 416 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	After they fixed it, it was flawless. I've since sold the car -- wanted a sedan and didn't feel I needed AWD.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2010, 09:49 PM	#8
adr1974 Lieutenant 135 Rep 416 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Any update on this? Curious to know what the problem was.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2010, 09:53 PM	#9
Nick3237 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 363 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (4)	i have an appointment on Thursday morning to go out with a technician for a drive. Only problem is, its the same technician that drove it before and seems to think there is nothing wrong..which just pisses me off, because anyone remotely in touch with their car would be able to feel it. I will let you know how it goes on Thursday! I forwarded the service manager the link to your thread.."but they dont look at forum links" lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-04-2010, 01:57 PM	#10
Nick3237 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 363 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (4)	so i brought it in today to have a tech look at it, we didnt even go out on a test drive. they said because i had mentioned it quite a few times, they would just replace the steering rack, and possibly the steering pump. i just got a call a couple hours ago from them saying they need to do some "extensive" testing on it tomorrow before they can replace the parts because BMW required them to in order to fix the problem under warranty. So as it stands now, im dropping it off for the day tomorrow so they can do some "extensive" testing. Ill let you guys know how it goes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2010, 10:35 AM	#11
adr1974 Lieutenant 135 Rep 416 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	They fix the problem for you?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2010, 12:58 PM	#12
Nick3237 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 363 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (4)	got it back this morning, it seems to be fixed, they said it was the lower part of the steering column binding up? but for now it's not doing it so im happy!
	Appreciate 0 Quote