09-22-2013, 12:41 PM | #1 |
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BMW replaced the left front strut on my 11' x3 with M sport wheels.
Now when I go over certain bumps and imperfections on the road, I hear harsher clunk only from the front left wheel. Is this normal, or what could be going on? The other wheels seem fine. It just seems like more of a harsher impact then it should be even though I know I'm running on run flat tires. It seems like I can also feel it through the steering. Car is also pulling to the right, even though it was also aligned at the same time. Could this be related? |
09-23-2013, 11:58 AM | #2 |
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Car pulling to the right is caused by a defect in the spring hat and will be replaced with new front springs and spring hats if you complain persistently.
Clunk may be related to a steering rack defect that, again if you complain persistently, will be replaced with a new design. Be prepared to deal with uninformed and disinclined-to-give-a-shit service reps who tell you they cannot recreate issue in their troubleshooting and recommend a pricey alignment or new tires to fix the issue. They may even go to such extreme measures as to blame the non-OEM tires you have, and claim a voided warranty as a result. In my case I had to make a scene of biblical proportion but both parts are to be replaced (awaiting availability of new rack, been months). |
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09-23-2013, 04:08 PM | #3 |
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My car has been at the dealer for over a week now, trying to reproduce a random knocking that can be felt through the floor at the front. Could this be the steering rack as I don't feel it through the steering wheel?
Also trying to get them to fix the idrive screen that keeps malfunctioning. Not getting anywhere with them so far! |
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09-24-2013, 12:49 PM | #4 |
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I've had two X3s and both had their steering racks replaced for this issue at least once. The issue came back after a few weeks all three times. I'm getting it replaced again with what is supposed to be "a new design." We'll see how it goes.
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09-24-2013, 03:26 PM | #5 |
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Drives: BMW X3 35i M-Sport/DHP
Join Date: May 2011
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A quick check of realoem shows BMW has changed the part number for the steering rack 4 times from 9/2011 to 7/2013. While a part number change doesn't always mean a new part (could be a different supplier) it usually does.
So hopefully the new rack will fix the clunk problem. http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...92&hg=32&fg=12 |
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10-14-2016, 09:31 PM | #6 |
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I found this on bimmerfest. I'm going to give it a try with my Indy since I've tried replacing the rack, tie rod, alignment, etc.
Quoting gfeiner from that thread: "I found the nut in the picture on my 2012 35i. You only need to remove front plastic shield (about 20 screws and two plastic nuts) and it will be easily accessible. It is hard to tell from the picture but the nut faces towards the front of the vehicle and upward at a slight angle. The nut in question is an external torx (e torx), size 20 otherwise known as E20." Clearly, the steering rack replacement is a one size fits all approach. I'll post back my results. |
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10-18-2016, 08:18 PM | #7 |
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I get a weird clunk but only happens sometimes when i drive for a while and when i put it into reverse and initially reverse. In certain circumstances when you reverse I get an initial clunk and then you do not hear it again. Anyone have ideas? Dealership keep saying they can't replicate anything.
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10-25-2016, 08:55 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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10-25-2016, 08:57 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
What I quoted, more or less tightening the nut on the rack, did indeed eliminate the clunk and play. My next question is how long will this last? I'll keep everyone posted if it loosens or comes back. Stay tuned... |
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10-26-2016, 08:47 PM | #10 |
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Doesn't sound like the dif or transmission ... sounds like strut related but dealership can't replicate it.
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03-14-2017, 12:31 AM | #11 | ||
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Quote:
I also found that post on the other forum and did the adjustment this past weekend and viola... no more clunk! Not 100% sure but the steering itself feels a bit tighter too, although it might just be wishful thinking.
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03-14-2017, 12:36 PM | #12 |
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It seems to be something that does impact steering feel. I still have the clunk, a few months later, but it's not nearly as "loose" or pronounced.
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03-14-2017, 12:46 PM | #13 |
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Good to know it wasn't just in my head. How long did it take for the clunk to return?
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03-16-2017, 06:33 AM | #14 |
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08-12-2017, 12:16 PM | #15 |
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bmw is not the ultimate customer experience
my 2011 had the clunk but fortunately the dealership just replaced the rack before the cpo warranty expires (complained for almost 2 years then went to the other dealership in town)
a good mechanic can feel it by pulling on the shaft attached to the left inner tie rod joint they usually remove the boot to get a visual confirmation of where the movement is coming from it also made the noise when moving the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off and when backing out of the driveway with wheels turned to the right this is potentially dangerous not to mention annoying and not something you bargained for when purchasing your bmw but others have said slightly adjusting the preload quiets the clunk (I noticed it the first day after I bought the car) can you imagine how much it would cost bmwna for a recall so they basically try to sweep this under the rug apparently they feel the chance of an actual rack failure is low and worth the risk of a potential lawsuit if someone were to be injured due to loss of steering unless the car was a cpo warranties are expiring and this issue is going away the only rack numbers they are using now were issued on 10/2015 and 07/2016 Last edited by punch1118; 08-12-2017 at 12:32 PM.. |
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08-15-2017, 04:54 PM | #16 |
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just got the 2011 back from dealership after rack replacement
Schomp dealership is first class here in Denver area:
they installed rack PN: 32 10 6 881 117 made several alignment adjustments now drives like new Murry/BMW of Denver Downtown are incompetent: 1. they said clunk was inner tie rod wanted $866 to fix 2. they fried the tire pressure monitor when installing new combox so it needed new rdc module 3. they will never get another dime of mine or my family's business |
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