There's a rattle coming from the upper part of the steering column, especially over bumps. I can also feel a lot of the bumps on the road. No clunking under braking and the control arms were recently replaced so I don't think it's those.
The top part of the steering column (where it goes into the car) has a small amount of play. If I wiggle the upper part it replicates the noise that I get over bumps. Probably 2mm or about 1/10" .. Is this amount of play normal? There is less play at the bottom of the column (near the rack) than this.
Is it the universal joint mid-column or is it possible that parts 1, 9 or 10 on the diagram below are loose or worn ?
Yea i replaced number 2 and it felt like it just brought everything together and stiffened the whole car up. It's only like 50 bux... very worth it.. and it took me like 30 min to replace it. 2 screws and your done
I replaced the steering coupler (part 2) and afterwords still had a knock upon coming to a stop in the steering column. I had to replace the upper u-joint and all is very tight now (part 5). My car is at 141k just for reference.
I don't have part 2 (or 1), but I guess part 4 (and 3) are equivalent parts on RHD cars.
You can see the lower part in the left hand pic (this is taken under the car looking up) and the right hand pic has the bulkhead on the left and the steering column going down. You can see the bottom of part #4 and the top of part #3. I think the lower part looks pretty old, but that could just be the 120k of road dirt and UK winters it's had to cope with..
Interesting that the entry to the rack is on the right hand side of the car.. you'd think it'd be on the left..
Should the adjustable part of the steering column (connected directly to the steering wheel) be locked securely to the next lower part ? Or is it just pushed in? It seems that there is play right up to where the 'crash disc' is, and is where the rattling noise on my car is.
Or is this just because the adjustable couplers are worn that they permit the column to move about a bit too much?
I also have some movement in part called "steering shaft" which replicates exactly the noise I hear when inside the car. I replaced the coupling part, control arms and bushes... Any advice guys? Thanks.
Hey, I also have this problem. I have replaced all the suspension parts and the flexible coupling. The movement is definitely above that to the next joint. Has anyone been able to replace it themself; any advice?
I also have that problem with my bmw E46 318i 2000 model wen u go over humps it rattles its annoyn.checked everyting all is well.gna remove steering covers this weekend and check if all is tightened at the bottom coupling and were the steering adjusts.will keep u guys informed if I do come right.
Keep this one updated for sure, same problem here as well. It just came out of nowhere. Started hearing and feeling a knock at the steering wheel. Over bumps in the road that I hit just right. Very annoying and ugly feeling in wheel. Def not something a BMW should have to experience. Let me know if you find anything out guys. I am currently fixing another issue but feel that this has to do with one of the two joints...no way everything can be good and your hearing a noise from the locations where the joints are.
Hi guys I'm back,yesterday I pulled the underneath steering covers @ tightened everyting jus to make sure its all secured.road tested problem still persists annoyn steering rattle from upper column.joints are secure and no free play at all.even tried greasing them joints,still no joy.I read in a thread it can be a upper column steering bearing,can anyone shed some light on this and hw do I go about ripping thing apart,cause I'm a little afraid wen it comes to the airbag removal.thanks
Hi guys I'm new to the forum,so I must change illustration number one which is the steering shaft and ill no 2 which is the steering knuckle or joint,that should sort my problem out,for the rattling in steering column.thanks for all the help guys
Let us know if this fixes the problem man. I think it would be the joints but I am not sure. That is what I was going to try after I fix my other problem (fuel pump I believe)
If you replaced/checked both couplings and still have play, it's coming from telescopic mechanism in the column itself. Very badly designed. It can be fixed but whole thing must be disassembled and reinforced. No parts that can be replaced unfortunately.
Thanks guys lestat any pics we're is the problematic part in situated in the column itself.I am a VW qualified mechanic,u tink I can have a go at this,the steering column looks complicated to remove on a bmw,dnt wnt to go breaking any parts while opening,which will cost me a fortune.thanks guys for all the help.guess I jus got to find someone that did it @ posts the outcome of this fix.
that white bush (steering angle sensor sits on top of it) have to be tightened onto the splined rod. I've done this about a year ago and I can't remember exactly but in any case that bush has to be taken off.
Then I've used metal epoxy potty to take out the play between the outer sleeve and that bushing. Lay the metal epoxy down and press the bushing in when the epoxy has just begun to harden.
Thanks buddy will try and have a go at it wen I'm weekend off.next week.yes exactly same feeling if I hold my steering knuckle joint in the engine bay @ play with it up @ dwn gives me the replica of what the video portraits.
Hi guys I replaced the steering coupling on my bmw all was replaced.lestat u mentioned something about a white bush @ epoxy can u shed more light on that @ as to we're its located.that noise is annoyn @ frustrating,any helps will be appreciated.thanks guys keep well on that side of the world.
My 2003 330xi is doing the same thing. Noise over bumps and up and down play in steering wheel. Before I spend 150 on a steering coupler id like to make sure its that and not the column bearings or something to that nature. Also on cold idle my whole steering wheel shakes and rattles. That's how bad mine is at 136,000 miles
The column has been rattling for the past few years that I have owned the car (It's a '99 328i done 125K). I have replaced the lower UJ/guibo (no.4) but although it improved straight line lane wandering it exacerbated the rattle in the column. To rule out other possibilities it has had new lower arms and bushes, discs and pads, sway bar bushes and links and tyres. I have seen this youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE6_rcjYc9s
which looks like the same problem my car has.
I would like to know if anyone else has replaced this part and if so, how difficult a job was it? I suspect the ignition barrel will need to be removed and I have a feeling it is held in by awkward bolts??
Would like to get this sorted out as it is spoiling how well the car drives.
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