[msb100]

Hi,

I have a 2012 F25 X3 and I've started hearing a Knock sound when going over a speed bump or a pothole from the front right side.

The sound is heard if the tires/steering are pointing straight or to the right. If the tires are pointing to the left, there is no sound.
Also, the sound comes on when the Tire is moving downwards.

Can anyone help in diagnosing where the sound is coming from and if it's something that I can fix?

Thanks

[mge92]

Originally Posted by msb100

Hi,

I have a 2012 F25 X3 and I've started hearing a Knock sound when going over a speed bump or a pothole from the front right side.

The sound is heard if the tires/steering are pointing straight or to the right. If the tires are pointing to the left, there is no sound.
Also, the sound comes on when the Tire is moving downwards.

Can anyone help in diagnosing where the sound is coming from and if it's something that I can fix?

Thanks

Could be suspension related like the balljoints. Would suggest bringing it into the dealer.

[MartinHattingh]

India is right-hand drive, correct?

If so, what you're hearing is most likely the very common steering rack issue. Mine does the same.

Perform a search for steering rack issues, you'll see that many owners have had them replaced, only for the noise to start reappearing not long thereafter. I've learnt to live with it and see it as a "design flaw", which unfortunately it is....

[msb100]

Originally Posted by MartinHattingh

India is right-hand drive, correct?

If so, what you're hearing is most likely the very common steering rack issue. Mine does the same.

Perform a search for steering rack issues, you'll see that many owners have had them replaced, only for the noise to start reappearing not long thereafter. I've learnt to live with it and see it as a "design flaw", which unfortunately it is....

Hi, RHD it is. Thanks for the heads up, will search the forums for possible fixes.
Thank you.

[momoboy]

I had the same noise. Replaced the steering shaft first but dealer still heard a noise. Steering rack was replaced as well. All quiet now

[msb100]

Found this..http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=761080&page=2
Will check.

[kkk]

My car is just 1 week old and run 250 km when the clunking/knocking noise started. My Mitsubishi Outlander had the same defect but after running 5000km. Same thing in BMW. Its really annoying to get the sound when driving our a bump or a speed breaker when the knock comes through the steering. With all the technology cant design a noiseless steering.

However the same can be fixed in a couple of hours by the local turner shop which BMW cant make from the very beginning. But that would void the warranty of the vehicle. So no choice but to take it to the dealer and ask for a solution.

[msb100]

Originally Posted by kkk

However the same can be fixed in a couple of hours by the local turner shop which BMW cant make from the very beginning. But that would void the warranty of the vehicle. So no choice but to take it to the dealer and ask for a solution.

Can you please share the details on how this can be done? Thanks.

[kkk]

Originally Posted by msb100

Can you please share the details on how this can be done? Thanks.

Sorry for the delayed reply. This would involve removal of the steering rack and giving it to specialised turner shops which can adjust the tolerances between the components inside the steering rack using special tools and may include replacement of the bushes etc. I have got the steering racks of my older vehicles which usually have run 40-50000 km over indian roads serviced from such shops and the cars have become noise free after performing this service. However BMW in India does not recommend this although the steering racks that come on our cars have an adjusting nut to tighten the steering to eliminate the rack noise, BMW does not even recommend this method. They would just outright cancel the warranty if they realise that this setting has been changed. So if you are ok with the warranty being void it can be fixed outside. However i would not be comfortable with this since my car is not even a month old.