funny knocking noise on steering

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
m4xos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2410
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Bournemouth

Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:46 pm

just purchased another e30 for my collection, this one is a 325 sport, 90k miles, 3 owners from new, minter!!!

except he had a new steering rack put on a little while ago and on my 220 mile journey home after purchasing it, it had a knocking noise, which you could feel and hear through the steering wheel, any ideas please???
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:43 pm

Knocking noise accompanied by any free play in the steering wheel or not?
User avatar
blingsta
Boost Junkie
Posts: 2930
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Enfield

Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:57 am

could it be the belt slipping then caching?? more like a knocking feeling?
User avatar
wrcarter
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 293
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Ireland

Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:38 am

I have this too on full lhd lock with some speed. Got the rack from a crashed e36. trcck rod was bent and unfortunally some internal damage. One day the steering wheel even turned without the wheels moving. Am changing it over the christmas. If it sound like mine then change it asap before it causes an accident.
m4xos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2410
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Bournemouth

Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:51 pm

no i dont think it is, it happens both directions on the steering wheel, a funny clunking noise,
H35-24
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 181
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Denmark

Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:00 pm

I have that sometimes on my 325iX. It comes when I'm turning the wheel quickly from lock to lock, for instance when parking og turning around. I haven't tried fixing it but I would guess it is the joint that connects the steeringwheel shaft to the rack. If it is worn or dirty so that it has a certain angle where it locks up. (like a worn bearing can lock up in one specific position and then after forcing it past this position its fine again).
daimlerman
**BANNED**
Posts: 15968
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Grumpy Old Man

Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:11 pm

Think I would be checking the rack mounting bolts first.
Youth is wasted on the young.
zimmer-320i
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1309
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: sevenoaks
Contact:

Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:40 am

wrcarter wrote: One day the steering wheel even turned without the wheels moving. .





8O 8O 8O 8O 8O why are you even still driving it, fook what made you fit a damaged rack?
mate thanks your self your still alive






















hello....hello.... you still about






:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Image
Bewdley320T
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Contact:

Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:51 am

daimlerman wrote:Think I would be checking the rack mounting bolts first.
+1 It's amazing how many people use the same nuts/bolts/spring washers over and over again then wonder why they come loose.
zimmer-320i
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1309
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: sevenoaks
Contact:

Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:54 am

+1 ^^^

ill have to say i agree with you there
Image
m4xos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2410
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Bournemouth

Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:19 pm

it was fitted in a garage somewhere in wales 4 months before i bought it, they shouldnt have used the same bolts if they did, VERY NAUGHTY!!!
User avatar
wrcarter
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 293
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Ireland

Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:32 pm

why are you even still driving it
Changed now. Gearing was damaged at the end of the lock. It did very little driving after that.
TomCropp
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 156
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 11:00 pm

Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:03 pm

check for any free play by moving the wheels side to side and up and down, if the ball joints are worn this creates a knocking noise...
User avatar
warner325
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:00 pm

Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:18 pm

i had the same on my 325i touring but my rack was leaking from the seals so i changed it with a good second hand rack now its fine it was the joint in between the rack and sterring wheel when i put the rack on i cleaned it up and put some copperslip on it now its fine before you take it apart just try some wd40 on the joint turn it from left to right see if it hepls
regard scott
zimmer-320i
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1309
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: sevenoaks
Contact:

Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:16 am

may front right ball joint is slighly moves, bt i swear the knocking noise is comming from the rear
Image
User avatar
warner325
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:00 pm

Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:22 am

trail arm bush? :?:
zimmer-320i
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1309
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: sevenoaks
Contact:

Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:08 pm

yer maybe got mot soon maybe they will point it out, as ive looked and cant see, any one know the prcudure for changing a gearbox mount and does the intermittent have to work as part of the mot? just wondered
Image
Post Reply