The big nut you took off is actually used to set clearance between bearing and rack, used to build steering racks for Aussie Oem (Delphi Automotive Systems). The little plug in the nut is where the micrometer would measure while putting 10n on the pinion with rack locked in place, usually about 75micron. It is used to set turning torque which is on center feel without the Pinion valve being activated, so no hydraulic assistance. Think of small adjustments while freeway driving. There is a spec to adjust to hence why the nut is loctited into place.

I have searched on this for weeks after replacing and checking everything in the front end of my e60 and not only is the same noise but you have a fix for it. Thank you!

Keep up the good work literally been trying to find this problem forever

It's awesome to see someone figuring things out themselves instead of rushing to a mechanic. My E92 M3 has 152,000 miles on it and it's still running great. The only thing I swapped out was the power steering reservoir with one from Euro Power Motorsports, and it's been smooth since then.

Wish I found this before replacing my whole front end (Upper and lower control arms, shocks and springs, drop links, anti-roll bushes and even the steering column) chasing that knock. Ironically, a used replacement rack I put in had the same knock so was dumbfounded until I found the pre-load yoke. Keep up making brilliant content, could be saving someone thousands!

This was actually really cool I had to do adjust one on a subi as per a TSB and I had no idea what I was doing or what for but it fixed the clunking issue so I already knew there's supposed to be a tightening sequence but didn't know what it was for lol thanks.

Good info. I knew that was an adjustment, just never knew what it looked like. I had a good bit of slop in my steering and I adjusted that but, took most of it out. I plan on trying some more adjustment at some other point but on an xdrive it's not so easy to get to

Good troubleshooting Andrew 👍🏻

You have great hand skills & great thinking way , i have benz , i faced this problem , sadly inexperienced repairer harm the steering shaft ,But ( heroically) I bought another used perfect one and changed and adjusted it myself, if i see this video before i would never permit handling the shaft , now i know that the sound is from the bush and i will better leave it as it doesn’t annoy me after understanding the issue, great video with all my respect .

Glad to hear your mom is doing much better and even getting mixed in with BMW herd.

Glad your video popped up, have the same problem.

Another steering rack related fix that can cause a noise (not for your problem specifically - but just noting it for others to try) - sometimes the bolts that hold the rack to the subframe get loose and you can snug em up. Mine I had to get a wrench on the back side of the nut to tighten down because it would spin when you tighten it the normal way. Also the strut hats / bearings seem to collapse over time and might bind up when turning.

I had the same problem and found out the steering rack was making contact with the heat shield! Plus for extra precaution changed power steering fluid!

Please advise where can I purchase this part for BMW Active Tourer 216D

Is it that bushing same for e90 pre lci, it's hydraulic ?

U finde replacment for that bush, I can't finde it and I have on my Range Rover same sistem like cap, piston etc.?

So similar to the noise i encountered in an F10 once.....i wonder if its the same issue on F30s?

I’ve been putting this off on mine for a while. Started after I replaced my steering rack with a used M3 one, including a used lower steering shaft assembly (tbh, the shaft, for no reason). But I also dropped the subframe to do oil pan gasket too. So multi can’t isolate to a single changed part unfortunately. I’m going to put my old lower steering shaft back first with two new aluminum bolts and see if it fixes anything. I don’t know the history of the used m3 rack maybe it’s coming from that…. Will also double check all suspension components. Ideally I wanna shimmy the wheel with car on ground. But of course that’s difficult without a lift.

I have the same noise on a ford mondeo mk4, can this cause a steering wheel wobble after 90km/h?

I anoit you Doctor E9x, specialist in N54 :)

This is a very common issue on the F20’s. I did the repair on my M135i and it’s amazing, feels like a new car. 6 months or so it did need a ‘nip’ up - realistically only a mm or two of movement and it’s back to where it was 👍

Had something similar on my e46. Was the extension piece at bottom of Drive shaft had developed play in the U joint. Had it replaced with a tight one and bingo, noise and crappy steering feel gone.

I went to bed just after playing with my "thrust bush" and woke up to you playing with yours 😉. All jokes aside, I have a little noise with mine as well, will check it this weekend. Good vid man, thank you. Also hoping that your mother is doing well.

Did u any steering problems at higher speeds

When are you taking oreallys engine out? Keen to see that hole in the block !

hello or noticed that at minute 2:00 the instrument panel checks the audi-style hands how did you code this thing? thanks 🙏

In the Honda world its called a rack guide screw, i imagine most steering racks have this and there is a tightening sequence where you tighten, loosen and tighten again to a certain spec. It can be done by feel alone which i imagine is exactly what you would do in the case of a worn rack as it will be out of spec, does the steering feel any better/more direct than before now?

Good luck at rollracing guys🍀👍

is the procedure the same for vehicles with active steering? Vehicle is an E82 with N55 engine built 10.2010... BTW Great Content, Greets from Bavaria :)

Exact same problem in the BMW E60. Very common. ZF 7852 On these steering rack models, unlike the E46, the column shaft coupler has no rubber flex disk which is supposed to absorb all the suspension stress going to the steering column. Instead, the stress is absorbed by that teflon yoke which wears out prematurely. ZF instructs to replace the whole yoke assembly and applying a special loctite grease to the yoke (Part 1 and 2). Then torque the nut to 12nm, peel and reloosen it by 5 graduation marks as follows: Turn the adjusting screw (34) 5 graduation marks back (loosen it) and then screw it 1 graduation mark in again. Rotate the steering gear to mid position, so that the rackprojection (relative to the steering lockstop) is equal at either side. Fit tools [23] to restrict the rack stroke to 1...3 mm. Fit tool [20] and a commercially available dial gauge. Using tool [9], rotate the rotary valve (81) to the left and to the right (torque approx. 12 Nm) and measure the yoke play. Specified value: 0.1 mm maximum Adjust the yoke play by turning at the adjusting screw (34). If the adjusting screw (34) is turned 1 graduation mark, this corresponds to a change in yoke play of 0.05 mm. Without altering the yoke play setting, check the loosening torque at the adjusting screw (34). Test value: 1.5 Nm minimum Insert the plug (34.3). Check: There must not be any sticking of the steering gear when rotated through its total stroke. Mark the definitive position of the adjusting screw (34) with marking ink (at any place on the circumference).

I've also adjusted the nut on the steering rack but the clicking isn't completely gone. I think it's coming from the U-joint couplings on the steering shaft.

RHD HELL. steering shaft intersects the water pump AND the outlets. -so bad, Your love for these cars is stronger than mine.

Seems similar to an old Porsche 924 steering rack. They had a thrust bolt that kept a certain tension on the rack. Too tight - stiff steering. Too loose- rattling like mad.

Any idea what would cause a thumping sound when going from reverse/drive (not the transmission).

Having the same problem on my e9x 335i. It was really bad so I replaced the rack with another used one and its much better now, but I still get a loud clunk sometimes in parking lots doing sharp turns.

Hi Did you ever find out the OEM spec for the pre load please and sequence of tightening it down

what size socket fits the nut? and whats the right grease for the steering rack?

Those bigger clicks you get going from lock to lock are actually your rack BOLTS themselves, the two that sit in the middle mounting it to the chassis. They are torque to yield bolts and BMW says replace them everytime you take off the steering rack.

how do you get the needle sweep when starting the car?

does the f30 thrust rack pushing go into the e90??? Since there's none for the e90'might as well ask its younger brother to help.

I have a e90 325i with the same problem but I cannot find the part on eBay or Amazon. Do you have a link?

Anyone who is experiencing this make sure you're checking to see if this sound is still there with the engine running. ZF states that noise is normal when engine is not running but it should not make any noise when running.

‘Off topic question’. How did you get your dials on your cluster to do a revolution when you started the car? Cheers

I have the same rattle on my z4 but it sounds like its in my dashboard, any suggestions?

How did you resolve this issue? Can we buy a thrust piece for this rack?

Have similar click/thud sound on my E92 335i, took to a place to get it checked out and was told rack was bad. I am feeling floating and light steering on the highway, would this help?

Can this lead to loose steering, kinda like a floaty feeling when driving

I have got the same noise on my F20 2016, but only when the engine is off, is it normal?

Do you know if the repair also works on the BMW E60?

Hi I got exactly the same noise is that still driveable or dangerous

It works, I tightened my just a little as well, and the clunk is almost gone. I may need to do it a little more. Does anyone know the actual Nm spec for it?

the noise is also made when lifting the car and turning the steering wheel please?

What steering wheel is that?

Nothing solved in this video ! Briliant !

Lol love you mother ❤😂

Heard the knock

Wating for a fix to seat belt arm that not griping the belt 😉

My cars steering wheel sounds significantly worse than this and far more loose but if this works you might have saved me hundreds, I have a dealership appointment today 😭😭😭

How the hell did you get your needles to sweep?!??

Name of this part ?

Mate you can VISUALLY see the play in you steering coupler its a bushing that wears out especially after moving around the rack while connect to the steering column still, idk why you took that whole rack apart honestlly i didnt even know you can take that out lmao, but bro i have the same play and clunking and i got mines after fucking with my steering rack doing my tie rods then noticed the play after changing them, when you move around or fucking with the rack while its still connected to the steering column you are going to damage the steering coupler and thats what causes that play, its very delicate and its like $400. i promise if you replace that bro you will be fine, ima do mines soon but it isnt as bad as yours just annoying. rewatch your video or the steering column moving in the engine bay i can see the play, your rack is fine.

Too much play in your bush will definitely leave you feeling loose

You are making it worse. Excessive power steeringly doings like that may result in even more severe financial problems and high blood pressure.

Eps🪦👀

Bush

Needed to replace the piston kzfaq.info/get/bejne/es5-a81i0cCcaYU.html

First

Talk slower please.