F31 Steering Issues

[Kitch8]

Hi all, I drive a 2016 (66 plate) F31 320d LCI.

For the past 12 months+ I've had a constant issue with the steering: the steering wheel 'wobbles' at both low and high speed. It's never felt dangerous or lost the sense of feel, but it's a constant frustration and spoils my enjoyment of the car. In addition, occasionally when manouevering at parking speeds, I can hear a thump/knock.

I'm confident it's not tracking/wheel related as I've had all new tyres, tracking checked (at several garages), and wheels refurb'd since the problem started and none of them have cured it.

My local BMW specialist indy is aware of the fix for pre-LCI cars, but apparently that doesn't fit my car due to an "upgraded" steering rack fitted to LCI cars. I trust my garage, but they suggested the only long-term and sustainable fix is a new steering rack at a cost of £1.5-2k.

Have any F30/F31 LCI owners had this same issue and any luck with resolving it? Thanks

[CorradoTDI]

I'd maybe get a second opinion - I thought the rack repair kit covered all models but maybe worng!

Could also be track rods, sometimes they only show play at certain steering angles so maybe not easily detectable by an MOT tester - if you replace these make sure you use genuine BMW parts.

[Stillstand]

Had an F31 with exactly the same thing and it was the steering rack bush. Couldn't say if there was a different rack between pre-LCI and LCI, you'd need to double check. You can input your exact model on RealOEM and if the repair kit is relevant for your car, it will say in the steering rack parts diagram.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=8H92...

From a quick look (assuming a few details for your car), it looks like it is applicable - see number 13 and the relevant trim levels it applies to.

When the car is off, if you grab the wheel and pull it side to side, does it knock?

The officially released BMW repair kit is here. It is quite easy to do yourself if confident, or a garage would easily do it.

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/product/32106891974/rep...

Edited by Stillstand on Thursday 10th August 06:16

[d_a_n1979]

Kitch8 said:

Hi all, I drive a 2016 (66 plate) F31 320d LCI.

For the past 12 months+ I've had a constant issue with the steering: the steering wheel 'wobbles' at both low and high speed. It's never felt dangerous or lost the sense of feel, but it's a constant frustration and spoils my enjoyment of the car. In addition, occasionally when manouevering at parking speeds, I can hear a thump/knock.

I'm confident it's not tracking/wheel related as I've had all new tyres, tracking checked (at several garages), and wheels refurb'd since the problem started and none of them have cured it.

My local BMW specialist indy is aware of the fix for pre-LCI cars, but apparently that doesn't fit my car due to an "upgraded" steering rack fitted to LCI cars. I trust my garage, but they suggested the only long-term and sustainable fix is a new steering rack at a cost of £1.5-2k.

Have any F30/F31 LCI owners had this same issue and any luck with resolving it? Thanks

As above

However, I wouldn't use LLL Parts (wouldn't piss on em if they were on fire); they're Eastern Bloc based and you'll be lucky to see the parts. I myself and few I know have had issues and it took a long time to get resolved!

Listers BMW & Cotswolds BMW had thw repair kit for c£60 + postage recently; worth asking them to see if they've still got them in stock

[CorradoTDI]

d_a_n1979 said:

Kitch8 said:

Hi all, I drive a 2016 (66 plate) F31 320d LCI.

For the past 12 months+ I've had a constant issue with the steering: the steering wheel 'wobbles' at both low and high speed. It's never felt dangerous or lost the sense of feel, but it's a constant frustration and spoils my enjoyment of the car. In addition, occasionally when manouevering at parking speeds, I can hear a thump/knock.

I'm confident it's not tracking/wheel related as I've had all new tyres, tracking checked (at several garages), and wheels refurb'd since the problem started and none of them have cured it.

My local BMW specialist indy is aware of the fix for pre-LCI cars, but apparently that doesn't fit my car due to an "upgraded" steering rack fitted to LCI cars. I trust my garage, but they suggested the only long-term and sustainable fix is a new steering rack at a cost of £1.5-2k.

Have any F30/F31 LCI owners had this same issue and any luck with resolving it? Thanks

As above

However, I wouldn't use LLL Parts (wouldn't piss on em if they were on fire); they're Eastern Bloc based and you'll be lucky to see the parts. I myself and few I know have had issues and it took a long time to get resolved!

Listers BMW & Cotswolds BMW had thw repair kit for c£60 + postage recently; worth asking them to see if they've still got them in stock

Used to be £21 + VAT but they have gone up massively! (I guess this was originally low or cost price to keep warranty claims low)

[Kitch8]

Thanks for the replies so far, really helpful. I'm getting a second opinion on whether the rack steering fix will fit my car or not. Booked in for the 21st so will update after that.

[VRSrob14]

Just had the exact same issues on my 2016 F31 340. Local indy used the BMW repair kit listed as BM32106891974 and charged 1.5hrs labour to fit it. Had it repaired Wednesday and drove it this morning and difference is night and day, no knocking anymore.

[CorradoTDI]

VRSrob14 said:

Just had the exact same issues on my 2016 F31 340. Local indy used the BMW repair kit listed as BM32106891974 and charged 1.5hrs labour to fit it. Had it repaired Wednesday and drove it this morning and difference is night and day, no knocking anymore.

Assume this is LCI being 2016??

Here is the BMW TIS

https://web.archive.org/web/20200921004306/https:/...

Edited by CorradoTDI on Saturday 12th August 01:40

[Magnum 475]

I have this intermittently. Once or twice a month on a drive the steering will clonk like mad. Then it goes away, until next time. It's more likely to happen after a couple of hours driving, but. there are no guarantees - it happens when it feels like happening.

Of course, it won't do it when it's at a BMW dealership to be looked at.

[d_a_n1979]

This post on the F3x Bimmerpost UK forums could be of help

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

[AK8]

Hi all, thanks again for the replies. Thought it was time for an update

I took the car to a well respected BMW indy on 21 Aug. He found that my car has a zf steering rack (not compatible with the mod), but also that the inside of each of my front tyres was significantly more worn that the middle/outside.

I have since replaced both front tyres and had the tracking done today with a reputable garage.

Unfortunately the issue still persists and is just as bad. I'm not sure I'm ever going to reach a fix without replacing the whole steering rack, and I can't be certain that'd sort things either. So as it stands I'm planning to put up with it, and sell the car in the next 6-12 months.

If anyone does have advice on what else I could try I'd welcome it. Thanks.

[CorradoTDI]

AK8 said:

Hi all, thanks again for the replies. Thought it was time for an update

I took the car to a well respected BMW indy on 21 Aug. He found that my car has a zf steering rack (not compatible with the mod), but also that the inside of each of my front tyres was significantly more worn that the middle/outside.

I have since replaced both front tyres and had the tracking done today with a reputable garage.

Unfortunately the issue still persists and is just as bad. I'm not sure I'm ever going to reach a fix without replacing the whole steering rack, and I can't be certain that'd sort things either. So as it stands I'm planning to put up with it, and sell the car in the next 6-12 months.

If anyone does have advice on what else I could try I'd welcome it. Thanks.

Probably worth getting a proper 4 wheel alignment check (tracking is just a very small part of this)

You'd previously had all 4 tyres changed and tracking checked you said??

Something odd going on but I would get it resolved - One of the reasons I love my F31 is the feel and feedback from the steering!

Edited by CorradoTDI on Thursday 31st August 10:06

[crustyclown777]

This may be helpful to you. Unsure if your rack is hydraulic or electronic, but you can adjust the preload, see this article.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17...

It helped my steering massively (E91 owner though)

[rottenegg]

AK8 said:

I took the car to a well respected BMW indy on 21 Aug. He found that my car has a zf steering rack (not compatible with the mod), but also that the inside of each of my front tyres was significantly more worn that the middle/outside.

I have since replaced both front tyres and had the tracking done today with a reputable garage.

Unfortunately the issue still persists and is just as bad. I'm not sure I'm ever going to reach a fix without replacing the whole steering rack, and I can't be certain that'd sort things either. So as it stands I'm planning to put up with it, and sell the car in the next 6-12 months.

If anyone does have advice on what else I could try I'd welcome it. Thanks.

Strange. A 2016 should have the Thyssenkrupp rack (the one that has a repair kit available), but if it's the ZF, then it's just a case of reaching into the engine bay and nipping up the preload cap. I think it's a 24mm head iirc.

It should not be so loose as to cause steering wheel shake at speed though, so perhaps someone has been in there before and messed with it.

I would also get your control and thrust arms checked/replaced as they can cause the tyre wear you describe, as well as steering wheel wobble.

[sunnyb13]

crustyclown777 said:

This may be helpful to you. Unsure if your rack is hydraulic or electronic, but you can adjust the preload, see this article.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17...

It helped my steering massively (E91 owner though)

F30 would be electronic I would have thought

[Race2day]

Mine is 2017 F31 330d.

Have the same issue Knock if brake during reversing and that weird feeling in steering like steering wheel and front wheels are not connected...

Visited two workshop both told that car is fine.

And yeah, LCI cars have different steering rack.

[AK8]

Race2day said:

Mine is 2017 F31 330d.

Have the same issue Knock if brake during reversing and that weird feeling in steering like steering wheel and front wheels are not connected...

Visited two workshop both told that car is fine.

And yeah, LCI cars have different steering rack.

This sounds identical to my issue, it's a real pain and completely spoiling my enjoyment of the car. I'll let you know if I get anywhere with solving it. Would welcome you doing the same.

[sunnyb13]

Have you done the EPS module update