[jman103099]

I posed a few things on another forum, but there seems to be more "steering rack talk" on this one...

I've been dealing with the "clunk" noise since I bought the car 4 years ago. Hard to say if it's gotten worse or not. The car was about to go out of warranty so I brought it up with my dealer again. They called and told me they needed the car over the weekend as they were going to replace the rack.

I picked the car up yesterday. I asked if it was something that was an actual mechanical issue with the steering (like one day I'd lose steering all together) or if it was just a noise in the rack. They weren't really sure, but he said "the tech found excessive play in the steering rack". Well, I know you get used to things over time, but the car has made that noise since the day I bought it (3,800 miles then, 45,000 now). I just wonder how long I could have driven with it like this...

So I get in the car and the steering doesnt make the noise when turning the wheel (car off). I pull away and the steering is soooo much tighter. No play in the wheel. No noises. Feels like a new car.

Now I'm thinking... that was a 2,600 dollar part and they had hours of work (maybe 6-8). I dont want to pay for this and I'm glad it was under warranty! Let's hope it doesnt come back. The part number was revised Spring 2015.

Anyone have thoughts on this issue? A lot of people say they've had theirs replaced and the noise comes back. I really wonder if it's something we can drive on forever or if it's a sign of trouble ahead.

[P1Fanatic]

I think I have this. Happens when steering left only (I am in the UK so right hand dive). When getting close to full lock or returning from full lock at low speeds ie in car parks. Doesnt happen every time. Car is 2yrs old almost and just done 10k miles. Due a service next month so will get them to check it.

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by P1Fanatic

I think I have this. Happens when steering left only (I am in the UK so right hand dive). When getting close to full lock or returning from full lock at low speeds ie in car parks. Doesnt happen every time. Car is 2yrs old almost and just done 10k miles. Due a service next month so will get them to check it.

my car has been making popping noise when turning left at low speed especially over bumps or uneven road. let me know if it's steer rack for you. unfortuantely, mine is out of warranty.

[///Mposter]

3rd rack in mine and it comes back. Every time I fill out a survey for what could be engineered better...steering rack. The Msport one is $4,000 with a $500 core. The labor was $980 or something like that.
I'm wondering if a rubber insert could quiet it down or if it's internal like the last one that was replaced.

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by ///Mposter

3rd rack in mine and it comes back. Every time I fill out a survey for what could be engineered better...steering rack. The Msport one is $4,000 with a $500 core. The labor was $980 or something like that.
I'm wondering if a rubber insert could quiet it down or if it's internal like the last one that was replaced.

oh damn...wonder why m sport one is more expensive, since my m sport 2011 35i is standard suspension. i wonder if there's safety concern with not replacing it. the car does not experience this issue at all when driving higher speed. and i wonder if it affects alignment since no matter how many times i get my car aligned, it turn to pull to right at low speed(no, its not due to the road leaning towards right)

[///Mposter]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

oh damn...wonder why m sport one is more expensive, since my m sport 2011 35i is standard suspension. i wonder if there's safety concern with not replacing it. the car does not experience this issue at all when driving higher speed. and i wonder if it affects alignment since no matter how many times i get my car aligned, it turn to pull to right at low speed(no, its not due to the road leaning towards right)

You don't have the button for tighter steering and suspension when in sport? The DHP or whatever they call it?
That's just what they told me, as when I looked online there were two prices, one around 2800 msrp and the other around $3500 msrp. I wanted to keep my rack to open it up but it wasn't worth the $500 core making it $4000. I think tischer has a couple hundred off each one.
Anyway yes, mine tends to pull to the right and multiple alignment hasn't solved it. I'm thinking of tweaking it myself or taking it to a Korman auto works . I've heard they do racing setups can do a better job than the dealers do.

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by ///Mposter

You don't have the button for tighter steering and suspension when in sport? The DHP or whatever they call it?
That's just what they told me, as when I looked online there were two prices, one around 2800 msrp and the other around $3500 msrp. I wanted to keep my rack to open it up but it wasn't worth the $500 core making it $4000. I think tischer has a couple hundred off each one.
Anyway yes, mine tends to pull to the right and multiple alignment hasn't solved it. I'm thinking of tweaking it myself or taking it to a Korman auto works . I've heard they do racing setups can do a better job than the dealers do.

yes, i have sport and sport + both makes my steering tighter. i didnt add DHP feature though.

[///Mposter]

Hey I just wanted to come back here to say my memory is bad and the prices I stated before were incorrect. The rack ended up being $2620 +500 core, but I didn't keep it. The out the door price with installation an alignment was 3533.85 .
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1138042

I also attached some of the parts I found online. There are a lot of different part numbers.

( sorry the image seems to be blurry)

1) 32106864491 $2566.44 ( with variable steering)
2) 32106870506 $2426.66 ( with out variable steering 7/13)
3) 32106864491 $2566.44 ( no electric motor shown with sport)
4) 32106873152 $2426.66 ( w/o sport)