Results 1 to 21 of 21

Thread: Cracking Noise When Steering

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    MONROVA, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    E30, E36, E46, E92 M3s

    Cracking Noise When Steering

    Hi guys. I have a 1997 840ci with 92K miles on her. I've been hearing more often this cracking noise when I'm puling out of the driveway. Sounds and feels like it's coming from the suspension. But could it be the steering box or steering rack? Shocks have never been replaced. Nor the control arms etc... Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you.

    -Jorge

  2. #2
    Pelican Parts's Avatar
    Pelican Parts is offline Senior Member Supporting Vendor
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Harbor City, CA
    Posts
    4,242
    My Cars
    '02 E39 Touring
    Hi Jorge - I would definitely go over the suspension. Does it sounds like metal on metal? If so, the bushings may be gone and need replacing. Please let us know if you have any other questions and we'll be happy to assist.
    Your Trusted Source For DIY and Parts
    FREE SHIPPING over $99 click here
    BMW Parts | DIY Tech Articles | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Promos
    888.280.7799 | 6am - 5pm PST



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    MONROVA, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    E30, E36, E46, E92 M3s
    No, it doesn't sound like metal on metal. Hard to explain. Kind of a popping noise. I know, kind of strange and vague. Does it at slow speeds, like when I'm leaving a parking lot of the house.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Göteborg
    Posts
    57
    My Cars
    Z4M Coupe 850e31 540e39
    Could be plastic touching the wheels, especially if it mostly appears when turning/breaking or if you have none standard tire dimensions and who doesn't.

    I'd check if the plastics in the wheelwell are correctly mounted, I had the airduct moving back and forth on mine for a while touching the wheels.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Sunny Cali,
    Posts
    8,730
    My Cars
    6.5 second 69 Camaro
    Bad shocks or a bushing makes those noises.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    MONROVA, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    E30, E36, E46, E92 M3s
    Took another listen to it today. Trying to pin point it. It just occurs when I'm turning the steering wheel, very slow speed. Like when you're parking the car. It seems to coming from the steering wheel or column? It's not sounding like suspension to me.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    MONROVA, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    E30, E36, E46, E92 M3s
    Like a CV boot type of noise. I'm baffled.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Liberal Loontown, CA
    Posts
    2,658
    My Cars
    Cool Volvo, Ugly BMW
    Pitman arm? If you can see it, I would also inspect the steering u-joint. I had some binding and poor return to center issues and it ended up being the u joint.
    What "thumbs up" really means




  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    San Antonio
    Posts
    712
    My Cars
    850,76 2002 &530,84 633
    Have you tried putting car on jack stands and listening for noise while under the car with someone turning the wheel?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    635
    My Cars
    1990 BMW 850i, 1976 Nova
    look at your front shock towers under the hood... if you see the ball bearings all over the place in the round seat, thats your issue...
    "...i haven't taken leave of my senses Bob, I've come to them..." -- Ebenezer Scrooge

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    San Jose
    Posts
    57
    My Cars
    1991 BMW 850i
    I also have the same problem bit it only makes the sound when i turn right at low speeds. I can feel the steering wheel vibrate very softly. I will try to film it next time i drive me e31.

  12. #12
    radlaw's Avatar
    radlaw is offline SoCalEights Member BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Poway (San Diego), CA USA
    Posts
    911
    My Cars
    1995 BMW 840Ci
    I too have the same problem. I've eliminated control arm & ball joint issues. I'm beginning to believe it's from the dash steering mechanism. I'm going to replace the steering clock spring, when I get around to it.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Devon, UK
    Posts
    244
    My Cars
    '93 e31 850, '07 e60 525
    Does it sound like creaking/popping timbers from a pirate ship? If so, 100% this is your steering box. I spent nearly a year changing every suspension component (underneath plus shocks and strut tops) steering column and bushes, steering wheel, changing and bleeding fluids etc etc, trying to eliminate possibilities one by one, paycheck to paycheck. Finally bit it and sent the steering box away for refurb, no probs since. There was no affect to the steering whilst the problem was there, just the horrid noise.
    If I had a penny for everytime someone commented on my poor fuel economy, I'd have enough to get it to the petrol station.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Orlando, FL USA
    Posts
    1,209
    My Cars
    91 850
    Braincat, did you notice any slop/play with your steering wheel before you had the steering box refurbished? By refurbish, what was done. Can you share some details?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    San Jose
    Posts
    57
    My Cars
    1991 BMW 850i
    Quote Originally Posted by braincat View Post
    Does it sound like creaking/popping timbers from a pirate ship? If so, 100% this is your steering box. I spent nearly a year changing every suspension component (underneath plus shocks and strut tops) steering column and bushes, steering wheel, changing and bleeding fluids etc etc, trying to eliminate possibilities one by one, paycheck to paycheck. Finally bit it and sent the steering box away for refurb, no probs since. There was no affect to the steering whilst the problem was there, just the horrid noise.
    In my situation, whenever turn right at low speeds it makes my steering wheel vibrate and i can hear a buzz coming from somewhere below. It makes me really anxious and I haven’t driven it hard into a corner since I bought it.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Devon, UK
    Posts
    244
    My Cars
    '93 e31 850, '07 e60 525
    There was no noticeable affect on the steering at speed, but parking/turning at very low speed and it felt tight before popping and cracking sounds occured. I got the whole box sent to a refurbishing specialist here in the UK (I found them on ebay); what they did I don't know, I'm guessing they just took it all apart, replaced anything that needed it and put fresh oil in.
    If I had a penny for everytime someone commented on my poor fuel economy, I'd have enough to get it to the petrol station.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    1,317
    My Cars
    1994 850csi rhd
    That will be the lower control arm bolt not being tight enough. The bolt where the arm bolts to the car. Get a long breaker bar and tighten it up. My car was doing exactly the same thing.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    San Jose
    Posts
    57
    My Cars
    1991 BMW 850i
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega man 1969 View Post
    That will be the lower control arm bolt not being tight enough. The bolt where the arm bolts to the car. Get a long breaker bar and tighten it up. My car was doing exactly the same thing.
    Did you use a torque wrench and if so, what specifications did you use?

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega man 1969 View Post
    That will be the lower control arm bolt not being tight enough. The bolt where the arm bolts to the car. Get a long breaker bar and tighten it up. My car was doing exactly the same thing.
    Exactly that we fixed last Saturday on an E32 740. He did not torque according to spec.
    I had it once some years ago, found out that the long bolt which goes into the steering box from below was not tightened enough, so on some rough road surfaces the steering box moved slightly. Tightened it more, noise gone.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    1,317
    My Cars
    1994 850csi rhd
    Quote Originally Posted by rodneyngo View Post
    Did you use a torque wrench and if so, what specifications did you use?
    I did but I cant remember the figure. It will be in the workshop manual, probably the same as the e38/e32

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    San Jose
    Posts
    57
    My Cars
    1991 BMW 850i
    https://youtu.be/0qirSzTXn9w This is what i am experiencing.

Similar Threads

  1. Body Flex and Creaking/Cracking Noises
    By emPoWaH in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-13-2006, 09:38 PM
  2. Noise when steering!!
    By psnolazy in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-27-2005, 01:55 PM
  3. Clank/crack noise from frontend when braking.....
    By humanite in forum 1995 - 2001 (E38)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-25-2004, 08:03 AM
  4. Noise when steering to the left
    By DonJuan in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-03-2004, 01:30 AM
  5. God awful noise from steering
    By RDM3 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-16-2003, 09:53 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •