Team-BHP - 2000-rupee fix for the BMW 3-Series steering knock problem (F30)

For those of you who have that steering knock when the wheel is fully turned and going over bumps, this is the repair kit I picked up from BMW Navneet on the airport road in Bangalore. It has the part number and price. I got this changed and the problem has not returned.

2000-rupee fix for the BMW 3-Series steering knock problem (F30)-img_20201013_165412.jpg

2000-rupee fix for the BMW 3-Series steering knock problem (F30)-img_20201013_165420.jpg

I called the reception, gave the lady the part number, she checked and confirmed that it's in stock and booked it for me. I drove there, picked it up and asked the SA as to why they wanted to change the entire steering rack and charge me approx. Rs. 2L, when BMW had released a Rs. 2K repair kit for this very well known problem. He had no answer to that at all. Oh well, we owners of these beautiful machines need to be on top of our game with service centers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061 (Post 4907473)

How did you get to know about this repair kit?

What is the part in the kit which solves the issue?

There are 3 parts that make up this kit. There is the knuckle, which wears out over time, as BMW in all their wisdom made this out of a weak plastic/fibre looking material. This has now been replaced by a material for the knuckle that is noticeably tougher. Then there is the tension spring and the screw-on aluminium round cover with two holes to tighten and loosen. You can use a chuck of an angle grinder as it's exactly the same size to tighten and loosen the cover. The spring needs to be tightened using the cover by 1/8th turns at a time, after tightening it till it fits well, till the knock disappears. You'll know if you've over tightened because you will lose self centring in your steering. Loosen by 1/8th turns till all is well.

All three parts should be changed but it's the knuckle/plunger that is the root cause of the problem. You'll know when you have the problem because our roads and it's potholes and speed breakers will let you know, but the video below shows you how to check it for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UAwQNN_Zak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moontan (Post 4907314)

For those of you who have that steering knock when the wheel is fully turned and going over bumps, this is the repair kit I picked up... I asked the SA as to why they wanted to change the entire steering rack and charge me approx. Rs. 2L, when BMW had released a Rs. 2K repair kit for this very well known problem. He had no answer to that at all.

What's worse is that this is a known issue with the F30, and if your SA didn't know of it, it was alarmingly ignorant on his part, or if he did know of it and he ignored it, it's wilfully conniving as he wanted to charge you about 100x for a cheap fix. BMW service is generally quite good here in Bombay, but yes, you have to be on your guard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliketurtles (Post 4907479)

I don't get my car serviced by BMW. I just use their service centres to buy spare parts after calling in to enquire on availability and booking what I need. You can see the name of the receptionist with the date I called her on to book this kit.

Before I picked up the kit, out of curiosity, I had a SA look at the symptoms. He said this is a very common problem with a 6 year old F30 and the rack needs replacing. That's when I burst his bubble with BMW's officially released repair kit. I don't trust a dealer and his service apparatus with my car at all. BMW made this so cheap that I think their cabin perfume holders are more expensive. :)

The steering knock is also a problem you can live with. It won't damage your car. It's just annoying and a little embarrassing, to be honest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moontan (Post 4907494)

I don't get my car serviced by BMW. I just use their service centres to buy spare parts after calling in to enquire on availability and booking one. You can see the name of the receptionist with the date I called her on to book this kit.

I'd gotten the same steering damper changed a few months back before the lockdown at Navnit motors, Electronic city. Had the same symptoms of knocking noise when going over some rough roads, which went away after the fix, and the steering became noticeably more precise around dead center (didn't feel loose before, but the improvement was there).

Replacing this part is not easy and the official repair document from BMW has a lot of precise steps & measurements that need to be done in order to do this job well and calibrate the steering. You need special tools as well. If you don't follow their instructions, there's always a chance that you'll end up with a knackered rack in some time due to over-tightening at some places.

I paid around 6K (After getting some discount on labor charges) including the cost of the part if I remember correctly. The service guys said that they've changed this part on many other cars too and their problems have been solved as well. Given the low cost and the complex nature of the replacement, I don't see any point in getting this done from anywhere outside of the BMW network.

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Originally Posted by d3mon (Post 4907501)

The service guys said that they've changed this part on many other cars too and their problems have been solved as well. Given the low cost and the complex nature of the replacement, I don't see any point in getting this done from anywhere outside of the BMW network.

Each to their own, my friend. What I do know is that this is a very simple procedure. Nothing complex about it at all. It's recommended you do an alignment after. She's done over 10K since the replacement over all sorts of road conditions and the fix is still as good as when it was put in. These cars are very easy and relatively cheap to maintain. What I really like about BMW is that they own up to a problem and cheaply out a fix. Most BMW owners worldwide are DIYers, once warranty is over. They know that and build their machines accordingly.

This procedure has been provided by BMW since past 2 years and is only applicable to F25,F30 and F34 with ZF EPS assemblies. The other EPS installed in these car is made by Thyssenkrupp and for these the complete EPS still has to be changed.

As mentioned by d3mon, this replacement needs special tools with correct torquing and adjustment in micrometers. In case someone has a similar concern and this part is applicable, it is recommended to replace it at the BMW dealer.

I am facing a similar albeit slightly different issue with 2017 BMW X1 F48.
The steering makes a continuous cracking noise while turning at very low speeds of upto 20 kmph. Any higher speed and the sound is not present/not audible.
Also, after the recent service, the sound went away but returned 2 days later.
What could be the probable cause (as well as fix) for the same?

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Originally Posted by hridaygandhi (Post 4947887)

Yes. The steering issue described in this thread can only be noticed (carcking sound) at low speeds. I would think it's the same problem. Very easy to fix if it is.

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Originally Posted by Moontan (Post 4956848)

Yes. The steering issue described in this thread can only be noticed (carcking sound) at low speeds. I would think it's the same problem. Very easy to fix if it is.

Got the Brake Hose & Shock Absorbers replaced at BMW ASS for 18k during the last service. The noise has totally disappeared and the car has become much smoother.