**PSA** Check this ASAP if you haven't already!

sirdaft1 · 11-22-2016, 09:34 PM

Public service anouncement: CHECK YOUR POWER STEERING BOLTS IF YOU HAVEN'T RECENTLY!! (Not the pulley bolts, but the actual mounting bolts)

I had no idea that this was a known issue on the N54 until this just happened to me. There are many documented cases of one (or more) of the bolts backing out over time, causing the P/S pump to loose tension and shred the serpentine belt as it falls off. A shredded belt on a running N54 is a bad bad thing and has been known to cause catastrophic engine failure in many instances.

Fortunately I dodged a bullet and shut the car off as soon as I lost power steering.

This was my serp belt:

The missing bolt:

Here is a video of another N54 owner who had the same thing happen on his 135i pointing out the culprit:

So if you haven't already, take a few minutes to ensure that all of your P/S bolts are still there and torqued to the proper specs. Not worth risking your engine.

bshotts · 11-22-2016, 10:37 PM

Excellent share. One thing I've wondered, is if the Pre-LCI cars suffer from these type of "known" issues that have plagued many people, and LCI (2009+) cars have been revised and hence less prone to experience.

For example, seems another related issue which is the power steering pulley contacting the subframe causing similar damage/belt-shredding was corrected at LCI by BMW allowing more clearance in that interference area.

Will know soon after I inspect my LCI for all these issues this Tgiving break.

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 11-22-2016, 10:48 PM

Good looking out.

blaster3500 · 11-22-2016, 10:59 PM

Have you had your oil pan gasket replaced before? I had this issue but only a few months after I got it back from the dealer when they replaced my oil pan gasket. I felt a vibration in the steering. I removed my belly pan and the bolt fell out. I used blue locktite torqued the bolts and have not have problems since.

jjbmuu · 11-23-2016, 12:04 AM

Well shit gonna go check this tomorrow now and put a wrench on the bolts..

Petrolhead3010 · 11-23-2016, 01:11 AM

Assuming it's not supposed to move, time to put some red loctite on that bish!

RCOLEMAN545 · 11-23-2016, 07:44 AM

Wow, thanks for this. One of my bolts was indeed loose.

cb1 · 11-23-2016, 08:41 AM

Wow! Will definitely check!

mojobmw_e90 · 11-23-2016, 08:57 AM

Considering you have 120+k and almost 10yrs old surprised it hasn't happened sooner

sirdaft1 · 11-23-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

Considering you have 120+k and almost 10yrs old surprised it hasn't happened sooner

153k miles!

mojobmw_e90 · 11-23-2016, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

153k miles!

Stop driving so much!

Jeef · 11-23-2016, 09:43 AM

You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.

Jklad · 11-23-2016, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.

It is a well known problem on these cars from the factory.

Jeef · 11-23-2016, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.

It is a well known problem on these cars from the factory.

Power steering touching the subframe, but bolt backing out like this?

Taylor M · 11-23-2016, 10:33 AM

Made a post on this awhile back about the same issue. Was curious how common it was, seems to be popping up a bit.

sirdaft1 · 11-23-2016, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor M

Made a post on this awhile back about the same issue. Was curious how common it was, seems to be popping up a bit.

Yup, that's exactly it.

klipse · 11-23-2016, 12:01 PM

Time to go look at the car.

Jklad · 11-23-2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.

It is a well known problem on these cars from the factory.

Power steering touching the subframe, but bolt backing out like this?

I had read about it in the past - one of my fears owning this car lol.

bigdnno98 · 11-23-2016, 12:14 PM

I just got a vibration in my steering wheel recently. I'm going outside to look now LOL.

bigdnno98 · 11-23-2016, 12:21 PM

Well, just went and checked. My pulley and belt is tight. I'm still not sure where the vibration is coming from though.

feuer · 11-23-2016, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

Well, just went and checked. My pulley and belt is tight. I'm still not sure where the vibration is coming from though.

Describe the vibration? Stating simply vibration is rather vague.

jjbmuu · 11-23-2016, 07:14 PM

Checked mine today and noticed both bolts weren't what I would consider tight, removed the fan and put a wrench on them with an extension and E12 socket. Would say that one bolt was about 1/3-1/2 turn lose and the other about 1/4-1/3 of a turn loose. Nice and tight now though, definitely would have been fine if I hadn't tightened it, but gives everyone an idea of what my 08 with 90k was like!

11-22-2016, 09:34 PM	#1
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2266 Rep 3,353 Posts Drives: F85 X5M Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2016 BMW X5M [9.00] 2012 BMW X5 35i (SOLD) [9.67] 1989 BMW 325i Track ... [10.00] 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [8.50]	PSA Check this ASAP if you haven't already! Public service anouncement: CHECK YOUR POWER STEERING BOLTS IF YOU HAVEN'T RECENTLY!! (Not the pulley bolts, but the actual mounting bolts) I had no idea that this was a known issue on the N54 until this just happened to me. There are many documented cases of one (or more) of the bolts backing out over time, causing the P/S pump to loose tension and shred the serpentine belt as it falls off. A shredded belt on a running N54 is a bad bad thing and has been known to cause catastrophic engine failure in many instances. Fortunately I dodged a bullet and shut the car off as soon as I lost power steering. This was my serp belt: The missing bolt: Here is a video of another N54 owner who had the same thing happen on his 135i pointing out the culprit: So if you haven't already, take a few minutes to ensure that all of your P/S bolts are still there and torqued to the proper specs. Not worth risking your engine.
	Appreciate 10 vtl1514.00 BQTuning480.50 zero2sixtyZ1051.00 feuer4306.50 Dmacc212.50 Turbo_power4ever94.50 Bimmer 808171.50 AndyW714.50 terryd5150503.00 Tweet Quote

11-22-2016, 10:37 PM	#2
bshotts New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (1)	Excellent share. One thing I've wondered, is if the Pre-LCI cars suffer from these type of "known" issues that have plagued many people, and LCI (2009+) cars have been revised and hence less prone to experience. For example, seems another related issue which is the power steering pulley contacting the subframe causing similar damage/belt-shredding was corrected at LCI by BMW allowing more clearance in that interference area. Will know soon after I inspect my LCI for all these issues this Tgiving break.
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11-22-2016, 10:48 PM	#3
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1955 Rep 1,533 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Good looking out.
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11-22-2016, 10:59 PM	#4
blaster3500 Lieutenant 144 Rep 567 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seneca, SC iTrader: (7)	Have you had your oil pan gasket replaced before? I had this issue but only a few months after I got it back from the dealer when they replaced my oil pan gasket. I felt a vibration in the steering. I removed my belly pan and the bolt fell out. I used blue locktite torqued the bolts and have not have problems since. __________________ 07 335 6MT
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11-23-2016, 12:04 AM	#5
jjbmuu 4ut0strd4 48 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 08 AW E92 335i 6 Speed Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Well shit gonna go check this tomorrow now and put a wrench on the bolts.. __________________ 08 E92 335i Alpine White On Coral Red 6 Speed BMS DCI+Aquamist METH Kit+MHD+VRSF+AR25 Resonators+HPF IC+AA CP+AA BOV+SSK+KWV1+Mfactory SMFW+550i/335is Clutch+BBS LM Reps+Diff Brace+M Performance Shift Knob+RB PCV+HPF OCC+NGK Mustang Dyno: 426whp/484wtq on E30/Meth/Stock Inlets+Outlets/Procede Only @ 18psi Current Estimate: 450/500 on E50 Custom EDC Tuning MHD Flash @ 21psi
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11-23-2016, 01:11 AM	#6
Petrolhead3010 Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Marysville iTrader: (0)	Assuming it's not supposed to move, time to put some red loctite on that bish!
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11-23-2016, 07:44 AM	#7
RCOLEMAN545 Liberty or Death 60 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 BMW 335i [0.00]	Wow, thanks for this. One of my bolts was indeed loose. __________________ 2017 BMW 340i 2007 E92 BMW 335i 2007 E90 BMW 335i - Sold
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11-23-2016, 08:41 AM	#8
cb1 Lieutenant 61 Rep 425 Posts Drives: F82 LCI zcomp, e92 M3, e46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: 91789 iTrader: (7)	Wow! Will definitely check!
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11-23-2016, 08:57 AM	#9
mojobmw_e90 Major 382 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 2014 E63S Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (3)	Considering you have 120+k and almost 10yrs old surprised it hasn't happened sooner
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11-23-2016, 09:43 AM	#12
Jeef Lieutenant Colonel 396 Rep 1,943 Posts Drives: AW E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.
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11-23-2016, 10:33 AM	#15
Taylor M Enlisted Member 14 Rep 43 Posts Drives: E36 M3 - E92 6MT 335i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: KCMO iTrader: (0)	Made a post on this awhile back about the same issue. Was curious how common it was, seems to be popping up a bit.
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11-23-2016, 12:01 PM	#17
klipse Banned 41 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 09 E93 335i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Time to go look at the car.
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11-23-2016, 12:14 PM	#19
bigdnno98 Real Car Enthusiast 290 Rep 2,088 Posts Drives: 340xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (8)	I just got a vibration in my steering wheel recently. I'm going outside to look now LOL.
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11-23-2016, 12:21 PM	#20
bigdnno98 Real Car Enthusiast 290 Rep 2,088 Posts Drives: 340xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (8)	Well, just went and checked. My pulley and belt is tight. I'm still not sure where the vibration is coming from though.
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11-23-2016, 07:14 PM	#22
jjbmuu 4ut0strd4 48 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 08 AW E92 335i 6 Speed Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Checked mine today and noticed both bolts weren't what I would consider tight, removed the fan and put a wrench on them with an extension and E12 socket. Would say that one bolt was about 1/3-1/2 turn lose and the other about 1/4-1/3 of a turn loose. Nice and tight now though, definitely would have been fine if I hadn't tightened it, but gives everyone an idea of what my 08 with 90k was like!
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