Weird cold steering - judder when turning and groan

[racer2086]

So two things going on, related or not...

I flushed the system a couple years ago using the allen screw when I had to change some hoses. I used Castrol Multi-Import ATF to refill (no self leveling suspension). Yup, the fluid is full. When the weather would drop to something colder than I'd say 60*, there was a very very slight groan or buzzing sound when turning the wheel when the car is first started and I pull out of my parking space. It used to be completely silent. After literally a minute, less really, it's gone and totally normal. I didn't think much about it because it was such an innocuous sound and went away so fast.

Fast forward to now living in the land of snow. In the morning it's much colder now. The sound is just slightly louder. Goes away just as fast.

However, turning the wheel with the car stopped or rolling with my foot partly off the brake when there's snow on the ground results in the steering wheel juddering. Like when I turn the wheel it's choppy. It almost feels like the traction control is kicking in to do something, but how much could it do? The car is barely moving. It seems worse when I first start the car, but I think I can still make it do that in certain circumstances after driving and pulling out of a parking spot in snow.

Anything to worry about?

[psjr]

Have the groan on first turn on one of mine (SLS but needs a fluid change), I seem to recall it's at any temperature though.

[racer2086]

Ok, yeah the groan is like that in my car. Tested it after posting and it seems that it groans only turning right, which seems weird. It really doesn't seem like something bad. The judder feels kinda wrong though. Only on snow. Think it's just ABS/DSC thinking the front wheels are slipping?

[blackknight530i]

Ok, yeah the groan is like that in my car. Tested it after posting and it seems that it groans only turning right, which seems weird. It really doesn't seem like something bad. The judder feels kinda wrong though. Only on snow. Think it's just ABS/DSC thinking the front wheels are slipping?

I have pretty much the same thing, minus the juddering, every time I start my car after it's been sitting a while. Unfortunately, the groan doesn't go away until the car has been driving for about 5 minutes or so. It also seems to be more intense turning right, but is there in both directions. I think there is a leak in the sealing washers on the steering box on mine. It seems like once it's warmed up, the leaks are somewhat sealed, but once it cools down again, the leaks reappear.

[Jamos]

Judder sounds like loose belt IMO.

[racer2086]

I have pretty much the same thing, minus the juddering, every time I start my car after it's been sitting a while. Unfortunately, the groan doesn't go away until the car has been driving for about 5 minutes or so. It also seems to be more intense turning right, but is there in both directions. I think there is a leak in the sealing washers on the steering box on mine. It seems like once it's warmed up, the leaks are somewhat sealed, but once it cools down again, the leaks reappear.

I'll take a look. Sounds like a possibility. I replaced all my lines in FL in 80 degree weather. Maybe when it's 10 out, I can tighten them down a little bit more.

Judder sounds like loose belt IMO.

This is also possible. I was under doing an oil change an the belts have little cracks in the ribs when the are bent around the pulley. That may mean time for a swap. How do you know if the tensioners are still good?

[BMWE36Greek]

Racer2086:

I started getting the "juddering" two days ago. No snow, but it is cold. It only does it when I make my drive for the day. When things warm up ... no juddering. Did you ever figure out why yours was juddering?

[racer2086]

Mine was doing that because of the snow. Kind of like when you walk in the snow or have skis on the snow will "give" a little and it makes that noise. Have no idea how to explain it. The groan sound is still there, even when cold down here in FL. Probably needs a fluid change to a different ATF. No more snow for me