[jerzeeog]

Hey all,

Lately I been getting stiffer steering on my (for now stock) 335XI. I know the pump is good so I took it to a BMW specialist around my town and was told the steering rack is the issue and needs to be replaced. I'm not doubting their diagnosis but my issue is whether the rack really needs to be replaced or has anyone had this issue and are there any other alternative I could try?

Now I been searching the forums for the last few days and it seems this is a somewhat common issue and in the resolved threads the rack is normally replaced. If this is the only solution I guess I'll bite the bullet...but it just seems to me that "mechanics" now only want to swap parts and nobody wants to fix the issues.

Rant over, lol. Please let me know what other alternatives are there if any.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by jerzeeog

Hey all,

Lately I been getting stiffer steering on my (for now stock) 335XI. I know the pump is good so I took it to a BMW specialist around my town and was told the steering rack is the issue and needs to be replaced. I'm not doubting their diagnosis but my issue is whether the rack really needs to be replaced or has anyone had this issue and are there any other alternative I could try?

Now I been searching the forums for the last few days and it seems this is a somewhat common issue and in the resolved threads the rack is normally replaced. If this is the only solution I guess I'll bite the bullet...but it just seems to me that "mechanics" now only want to swap parts and nobody wants to fix the issues.

Rant over, lol. Please let me know what other alternatives are there if any.

Going to assume that with the pump inspection you also drained/replaced the power steering fluid.

[jerzeeog]

No didn't get to that point... I figured that's something the mechanic may have mentioned, but that's something I'll do if it may fix the issue. I thought maybe it may be some hydraulic line to the rack or something but I haven't checked.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by jerzeeog

No didn't get to that point... I figured that's something the mechanic may have mentioned, but that's something I'll do if it may fix the issue. I thought maybe it may be some hydraulic line to the rack or something but I haven't checked.

Start with that first and see if it helps. In reality, you'd be surprised how simple our steering system is at is core.

Haven't heard it being a common issue. Last bimmer guy I knew that did that was on an E46 5 series — thats a 20+ year old vehicle.

[jerzeeog]

Thanks... will do

[TomD335xicoupe]

Mine was stiffer and popped past a spot and then released back to easy. Turned out to be the intermediate shaft, a not so common but known issue. Just a thought. If yours is not doing the popping thing disregard.

[jerzeeog]

Thanks for that... I'll take it out for a drive today and look for that jic

[ki_soarer]

The intermediate shafts with the universal joints has been known to cause this issue and is a lot cheaper than a rack. Not always bad enough to pop but you can take it out and manipulate it by hand to see if it's stiff.

[jerzeeog]

If it wasn't so cold in Siberia NJ I would take a look at it. I might take it to a different mechanic over the weekend for send opinion. But the suggestions you guys give are a great start