X3 35d (F25) 2015 - steering rack thrust bearing

X3 35d (F25) 2015 - steering rack thrust bearing

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Talay

Original Poster:

49 posts

127 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
Advisory from dealer that the steering rack thrust bearing needs work / repair / replacement. I'm trying to work out what it actually is.

When engine is turned off, turning the wheel left to right produces a clunking sound - google search comes up with all manner of possibilities from nothing important through to a new steering rack etc.

Car has 70k on it and I'm keeping it so if the offside has issues, surely the nearside will have or should be considered at the same time.

This is what the dealer put on the notes.

Steering / suspension £544.36
Inspection Notes: PLAY OSF / SUSPECT STEERING RACK THRUST BEARING / REPAIR KIT FOR STEERING RACK

Magnum 475

3,650 posts

139 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
It’s a known issue on the F30 generation 3 series too. Search for F30 steering clunk and you’ll find plenty of articles on line.

Mine does it intermittently, and *never* when it’s anywhere near the dealer, so I put up with it. Apparently it’s not going to break suddenly and leave me with no steering, so I’ll wait until it’s constant then get the warranty to sort it.

As for what it is, this may help: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

Edited by Magnum 475 on Saturday 4th November 19:18

Talay

Original Poster:

49 posts

127 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
Magnum 475 said:
It’s a known issue on the F30 generation 3 series too. Search for F30 steering clunk and you’ll find plenty of articles on line.

Mine does it intermittently, and *never* when it’s anywhere near the dealer, so I put up with it. Apparently it’s not going to break suddenly and leave me with no steering, so I’ll wait until it’s constant then get the warranty to sort it.

As for what it is, this may help: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

Edited by Magnum 475 on Saturday 4th November 19:18
Ha Ha, yeah, I've been around that circle of posts more than once looking for the answer !

Daft thing is that when the car was on its 2nd MOT they said "new steering rack" and then on every subsequent MOT (same main dealer) they said nothing about it.

However, they (at Lysons Avenue) sent me a video one day of a check saying that my tyres were at 5.5mm and needed changing. I thought how many old folks would simply ink the cheque for that and pay 200% or more for them replacing tyres that never were needed in the first place.

_Hoppers

1,380 posts

72 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
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Magnum 475 said:
Mine does it intermittently, and *never* when it’s anywhere near the dealer, so I put up with it.
Mine did it when there was a bit of left lock on when hitting a bump/pothole.