F30 - "knocking" sound from steering/absorber

[c-square]

This is in reference to one of the issues stated in the thread started by jan999 in his "poll: compilation of problems of F30 u encountered". I believe many F30 owners irregardless of whether it is a 320D or 328i (not sure about the 320i yet as no one seemed to have one at this juncture) faced this elusive "knocking" sound from the steering/absorber with some experiencing a slight judder at the steering wheel when the car goes over a small hump or pothole or cat-eyes on the road. The feeling/sound is akin to a worn-out lower arm bushing. The problem is that the sound only comes intermittently and only when the car rolls over the hump or pothole at a certain angle, thus resulting it being difficult to pin-point it to the service advisor/technician during test-drive for them to really look into it. This predicament had resulted in this very issue being left unresolved up until now. I had my car checked for the first time about a month back but the Service Advisor cannot detect the sound so nothing can be done then. However, when I sent my car in this morning to rectify other problems (also one of those usual suspect) I again got my Service Advisor to try to identify the sound and this time he managed to hear it. He checked and said that it is due to some design defect of the Steering Rack and said a few have also complained about similar problem. I told him not a few but a HUGE MAJORITY!!! (hahaha) because I have been in touch with quite a few f30 owners out there who has the same problem (thanks to the forum). He said a rectification note has been sent to BMW and apparently the R&D in Germany is trying to come out with an upgraded Steering Rack but when will it be ready to be shipped out, he doesn't know.So guys, you just have to hang on there for the time being. But in the meantime, for those of you who have this problem I would appreciate if you could file in an official complaint to your respective dealer and get them to officially escalate the said problem to BMW Malaysia and Germany so that the relevant people in Germany know the extent of the problem and have a sense of urgency to quickly come out with the upgraded parts.

 

[tIANcI]

Spoke with SC, they say there are some issues with the gears installed. Seems its something like the gears are not well matched. Replacements are coming. No recall but will fix when there are complains only. The suspension prob sounds like what the F10s used to have when the first batch came out. Interesting ...

 

[F30]

i have this too but very intermittently.....

 

[TheTinkerer]

I went to Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi (where I bought my F30) regarding this issue about a month ago and they claimed to have ordered the parts from Germany. Briefly spoken to the Service Adviser, and they claimed that its a NEW version of the steering rack. Not sure how true it is. Will be bringing my car there next week as they notified me that the parts have arrived. Will update you guys if the problem is rectified. Please wait for my update.

 

[willy5]

Thanks guys. Same here, I will get my SC to put me on wait list too. It is especially loud if you are making a fast left turn and there is a bump in the middle. Like the one from Jln Damansara into the road leading to Section 17 / Jln Universiti. Problem is that road is always back up and sometimes can't go fast.

The car hops on fast corners as well, when there are expansion joints, like those on flyovers, really quite hopeless.

 

[F30]

are they replacing the entire steering rack ?any service bulletin reference for this.... ?

 

[c-square]

I went to Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi (where I bought my F30) regarding this issue about a month ago and they claimed to have ordered the parts from Germany. Briefly spoken to the Service Adviser, and they claimed that its a NEW version of the steering rack. Not sure how true it is. Will be bringing my car there next week as they notified me that the parts have arrived. Will update you guys if the problem is rectified. Please wait for my update.

Please let us know when you've successfully installed the New version of the steering rack. I'm still waiting for my service advisor to call me on the arrival of the parts but so far no news yet. So once you've got yours changed, I'll go pester the service advisor for mine as well.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Thanks c-square. It is your contribution that makes this forum so invaluable. I too, will lodge the necessary complaint.

 

[Wuk51]

This is in reference to one of the issues stated in the thread started by jan999 in his "poll: compilation of problems of F30 u encountered". I believe many F30 owners irregardless of whether it is a 320D or 328i (not sure about the 320i yet as no one seemed to have one at this juncture) faced this elusive "knocking" sound from the steering/absorber with some experiencing a slight judder at the steering wheel when the car goes over a small hump or pothole or cat-eyes on the road. The feeling/sound is akin to a worn-out lower arm bushing. The problem is that the sound only comes intermittently and only when the car rolls over the hump or pothole at a certain angle, thus resulting it being difficult to pin-point it to the service advisor/technician during test-drive for them to really look into it. This predicament had resulted in this very issue being left unresolved up until now.

I had my car checked for the first time about a month back but the Service Advisor cannot detect the sound so nothing can be done then. However, when I sent my car in this morning to rectify other problems (also one of those usual suspect) I again got my Service Advisor to try to identify the sound and this time he managed to hear it. He checked and said that it is due to some design defect of the Steering Rack and said a few have also complained about similar problem. I told him not a few but a HUGE MAJORITY!!! (hahaha) because I have been in touch with quite a few f30 owners out there who has the same problem (thanks to the forum). He said a rectification note has been sent to BMW and apparently the R&D in Germany is trying to come out with an upgraded Steering Rack but when will it be ready to be shipped out, he doesn't know.

So guys, you just have to hang on there for the time being. But in the meantime, for those of you who have this problem I would appreciate if you could file in an official complaint to your respective dealer and get them to officially escalate the said problem to BMW Malaysia and Germany so that the relevant people in Germany know the extent of the problem and have a sense of urgency to quickly come out with the upgraded parts.

hmmm...even on my E90 got this issue...they changed my steering rack and bushing...now running without that irritating sound...try AB tun razak...they have done a good job for my car during BSRI and warranty...

 

[jennypenny]

i some knocking sound whenever i go to the parking area in Pavilion or Megamall.

sent my car for checks. after 2 hours, they say it is done.

after last weekend. i have the sound again. called up the service centre. they said, they couldnt detect the sound the last time, so there was nothing to be fixed...

i just cant believe the service dude......

 

[jennypenny]

i some knocking sound whenever i go to the parking area in Pavilion or Megamall.

sent my car for checks. after 2 hours, they say it is done.

after last weekend. i have the sound again. called up the service centre. they said, they couldnt detect the sound the last time, so there was nothing to be fixed...

i just cant believe the service dude......

 

[MarcoMeswara]

Please let us know when you've successfully installed the New version of the steering rack. I'm still waiting for my service advisor to call me on the arrival of the parts but so far no news yet. So once you've got yours changed, I'll go pester the service advisor for mine as well.

Any updates on this guys? Is your ride now ok ?

 

[TheTinkerer]

I have yet to send my car to the service centre. Service Advisor have not called yet. I tried calling but the service advisor not in office. In the last update, I was told that it will take a day or two to get it fixed. I'm looking to send my car in by this week and receive my car (of course with the fix!!!) next week. Based on my experience thus far, BMW after sales service lose out to Honda. Period.

 

[arulkl]

I have yet to send my car to the service centre. Service Advisor have not called yet. I tried calling but the service advisor not in office. In the last update, I was told that it will take a day or two to get it fixed. I'm looking to send my car in by this week and receive my car (of course with the fix!!!) next week. Based on my experience thus far, BMW after sales service lose out to Honda. Period.

I find that after sales service is more individualistic rather than the dealership itself. If you have a good relationship with your SA, your experience with BMW will be great. Although I am still a very new entrant to the BMW fold, I find my SA to be extremely pro-active with my issues/concerns to which he has control over. For issues where he needs to revert to higher management or BMW Malaysia, I understand (from other friends who have the same SA) he is also fairly diligent in following up. At least for now...

 

[TheTinkerer]

I got my car back a few days ago after having the steering rack 'fixed'. Generally the service was good and the sound seems to have disappeared except for the slightest of a 'thud' sound on and off. According to the service centre, they have discovered yet another part that needs replacement and they have already order the parts (so they claim). As a conclusion, the noise has been much reduced and its something I could live with everyday. The fact that I'll have to revisit the service centre for yet another part to be replaced is so frustrating. Its starting to give me more SORROW than JOY.

 

[tIANcI]

Its starting to give me more SORROW than JOY.

Willkommen, gut nein? Hehehehee ...

 

[HCY70]

May I know which service centre and SA solve the mentioned issue, I found my 328 have the same problem. Thank you.

 

[HCY70]

Good day to you,
I got my 328 three weeks ago, I found the steering knocking sound as you mentioned, do you mind sharing with which service centre and SA solve you on this issue. By the way did you come across any solution for "window wind noise" my car had this problem when speed up to 120 km and above.
Thanks and highly appreciate for your kind sharing.

 

[TheTinkerer]

i some knocking sound whenever i go to the parking area in Pavilion or Megamall.

sent my car for checks. after 2 hours, they say it is done.

after last weekend. i have the sound again. called up the service centre. they said, they couldnt detect the sound the last time, so there was nothing to be fixed...

i just cant believe the service dude......

Hey Jenny, I just sent my car in for second round of service. They claim that this is (again) a newer revision of the steering rack that they will install on my car. On top of it, the bushing for both my suspensions will be replaced too. They claim that the irritating sound will be gone once and for all. You may want to re-check with your service centre.

 

[mugz]

This knocking and irritating sound, how can I able to test it??

I would love to check it during my collection

Thanks