[DriverLDN]

Hi Guys,

Recently I've been getting a grinding type noise when I turn the steering wheel at very slow speeds, always when the car is cold.

I start the car for example in the morning and usually to get out of the car park I have to do a full lock type of turn. When the car is cold it makes a kind of grinding noise, the more lock I put on, the more noise I get. There is no feedback through the steering wheel though. This only last as few minutes as once you start driving in under 500m the noise is gone. It only happens when the car is cold.

A few people have advised that it could be related to brake pads and discs. As when I recently had it serviced the garage mentioned that discs where in a bit of a state although they feel fine. More recently I had my front tyres changed and again the person changing the tyres pointed out the state of the disc and showed me the pads. The inner brake pad looked to be a lot more worn than the outer one if that makes sense. The iDrive however shows 26k miles of life still left in them So I have recently been pricing up discs / pads and sensor hence my post on the main forum.

If anyone has some other ideas to what this could be, please let me know.

Cheers,

Bhavik

[Aragorn30d]

iDrive sensor isnt magic, its just a basic countdown timer.

Someone could have thrown a set of pads in and reset the countdown leaving you with full "life" even though the disks are fubar.

Given the disks are obviously knackered i'd start there and see how you get on. It sounds like they need done regardless, so even if it doesnt fix it, your not "wasting" money.

[old grey steve]

Start with the basics the faults when your turning at low speed! So have you checked your power steering fluid, if it's low then you need yo examine the rack and check for leaks. On the subject of power steering fluid seen many a car with the wrong fluid installed therefore damage is done to the rack and namely the seals which leak you get fluid out dirt, moisture and air therefore has a chance to contaminate. A basic inspection under neath will help here but a poor rack isn't unheard of and the indicator would be a low level.

Next if it's a scrapping type sound then we could for instance be looking at something as daft as corrosion on the discs and usury new pads as Aragon's already posted up, take a photo side on of your disc(getting the full face of the disc in shot and post it)if some muppet has put new pads on discs that deserve to be put in the bin they diserve a good kick in the nuts and trust me we see plenty that need a kick in the nuts for putting new pads on crap discs.

[DriverLDN]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Steve I attempted to check the power steering fluid today, however I was unable to as the fitting doesn't seem to one you can take off by hand, you need a special tool for it. Have a look:



Could this be down to my car having Active Steering? I checked around that cap and it was all clean, no sign of leaks from the top.

I was unable to get pictures of the back of the discs, however I did have a feel around and a look at the discs and the wear seems to be quite heavy. The ridge you feel around the edge of the disc as the disc wears seems pretty thick and rusty. I also had a check of the service history and the last documented brake change was at 19.5k miles and nothing else since. The car has just hit around 63k miles so I think the brakes and discs could be a good starting point?

iDrive tells me nothing needs touching on the brakes for another 26k miles, so I'm guessing the previous owner may done some funny business

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by Bhavik

Thanks for the advice guys.

Steve I attempted to check the power steering fluid today, however I was unable to as the fitting doesn't seem to one you can take off by hand, you need a special tool for it. Have a look:



Could this be down to my car having Active Steering? I checked around that cap and it was all clean, no sign of leaks from the top.

I was unable to get pictures of the back of the discs, however I did have a feel around and a look at the discs and the wear seems to be quite heavy. The ridge you feel around the edge of the disc as the disc wears seems pretty thick and rusty. I also had a check of the service history and the last documented brake change was at 19.5k miles and nothing else since. The car has just hit around 63k miles so I think the brakes and discs could be a good starting point?

iDrive tells me nothing needs touching on the brakes for another 26k miles, so I'm guessing the previous owner may done some funny business

If you look at the top of the cap its CHF11S that's green PAS we've seen a fair few with red fluid in them and its not good news if yours has re fluid. If we see this the whole system needs flushing cleansing then the correct fluid would need to be added after you check things like any seals for damage.

As your's has active steering they can be trouble to the uneducated therefore diagnostic with someone who knows the breed is the first port of call on these. The racks if your's has an issue are eye watering in terms of cost compared with a standard hydro unit.

But what you'd be looking for is visually leaks there are a set of pipes they can like trans pipes let go either via their seals or through pin holes, I've only seen a couple of active steering cars in with us all ex BMW UK cars well spec'd up with this steering gear and all were 05/06 age from memory (but they were early cars like yours)

From memory the racks alone on exchange are well over £1400+VAT but there are ususally supply issues with them as they aren't ususally stocked by BMW UK.

From memory there are a couple of sensors on the base of the steering gear that if faulty can give grief one is the important torque converter which regulates that all important feel, weight and it works via a set of gears and of course a control unit. But diag would be the way forward if this was to prove a useful line of enquiry.

But your brakes could well be the main area. If they look like these










and these were Seb's(Ess's) discs



then this could well be a good area to start. Corrosion on discs causes all kinds of mayhem and as you say you seen/felt lips and corrosion

[Ao1]

Assuming your disks don't look like the ones Steve has shown check to make sure a stone has not got stuck between the disk and the shield behind it.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by Ao1

Assuming your disks don't look like the ones Steve has shown check to make sure a stone has not got stuck between the disk and the shield behind it.

Yep yer right, forgot back plate, but as said stones can get caught the back plate and they can also fracture usually due to corrosion and can 'flap about a bit' sometimes the back plate can be bent back a bit to provide some relief

[DriverLDN]

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice.

I've been to my local garage while visiting the parents up in Preston and had new Mintex pads, discs and sensors fitted and the noise is now gone, the car overall is driving much smoother now as well. However I'll have to test it tomorrow morning from cold. Hopefully once their bed in all should be well.

Steve on your advice they also checked the PAS fluid and advised it was a little low, so they've topped it up and checked for any leaks. They found no leaks, but advised to keep an eye on it and check it every few weeks to see if it goes down.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by Bhavik

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice.

I've been to my local garage while visiting the parents up in Preston and had new Mintex pads, discs and sensors fitted and the noise is now gone, the car overall is driving much smoother now as well. However I'll have to test it tomorrow morning from cold. Hopefully once their bed in all should be well.

Steve on your advice they also checked the PAS fluid and advised it was a little low, so they've topped it up and checked for any leaks. They found no leaks, but advised to keep an eye on it and check it every few weeks to see if it goes down.

That's good to hear re the brakes and all that and I trust they put CHF11s in the fluidnd not just any PAS fluid as if they di give'em a royal kick in the nuts from me

[DriverLDN]

Cheers Steve, I did tell them to put in CHF11s however, I can only assume they've done it. I'm actually gonna give you a shout regarding the PAS being drained, topped up and checked over probably towards the end of next months depending on funds. I think some preventative maintenance will be a good idea. I'll take that up with you via PM or by calling you guys :-)