[fortythirtyfive]

So my end of warranty check was today; yet they still won't do anything about my steering rack clunk.

I presented them with this footage: https://streamable.com/dq4wa

I also explained how it occurs with the ignition off & on, whilst the main reason I want it sorting is because it tends to happen when reversing into spaces/around corners on a camber.

They claim that they also compared my noise to two other 3/4 series cars up on the ramp and they all exhibited the same noise, so they passed it off once again as "nothing wrong".

Has anybody had success in getting their rack replaced? I really don't want to have to start fiddling with the power steering adjuster, it's a well made German car; it shouldn't be doing this at just under 3 years old.

I could do with as much ammo to back myself up with when I take the case to BMW UK, so any info you have would be much appreciated!

Thank you

[oceanview]

After reading your post, I tried this on my car and I have the same noise.
The noise is gone after starting the engine.
So it should be normal and no reason to worry.
(I don't drive that often, with the engine shut off.. ;-) )

[IAmATeaf]

The op states that he gets the noise with the engine off and on.

[fortythirtyfive]

Managed to capture the noise in action tonight:

happens around 0:02 ish.. unfortunately it only occurred once, however the last few days it has happened in sequences where it clunks 3 or 4 times at once.

My warranty is now up but I'm tempted to keep videoing these bits ready to send off to BMW as a complaint.

I also hear tightening the two bolts that hold the rack in place with the axel may fix this.. has anybody had any luck with this? I know exactly where they are, just don't want to be over tightening them if they don't need it.

[IAmATeaf]

You should have tried another dealer to see what they say. I’ve had cases where one isn’t the slightest bit interested but other is so much more helpful.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

You should have tried another dealer to see what they say. I’ve had cases where one isn’t the slightest bit interested but other is so much more helpful.

Well as I'm now out of warranty I setup a complaint with BMW UK as it's gotten worse. It doesn't just do it every now and again, it's every drive, multiple times:

Needless to say, it's taken BMW UK three weeks worth of chasing just to get them to set me an appointment. Best part was when I brought it in for them this morning and they had no recollection as to why BMW were dealing with the situation.

If they palm it off as wear and tear this time then I'll flip - the damn thing makes a cracking sound which is also felt through the wheel, not to mention the fact that it's well known 3/4 series rack's are prone to fail.

[frackje]

I had the same noise and got my steering rack replaced under warranty (total quote was approx 3000 € with labour).

[IAmATeaf]

No way is that normal, mine doesn’t do that as far as I know.

[M-terkait]

I Thought it was clunk from camber just like what I get but after hearing the video this is in no way should be considered normal, I would just drop the car there and tell them to fix it now. it sounds like a big bang.

[fortythirtyfive]

They claim to have done 4 road tests with no luck of finding anything.

The "master technician" has taken it home tonight to endure a fair amount more of driving.

Update should hopefully come through tomorrow at somepoint, they're pretty adamant that it's going to be getting handed back over with no changes though.

[fortythirtyfive]

Okay so this is their response this morning:

Good Morning ,

I Have spoken with our master technician who road tested your vehicle overnight.
Good new he did experience your clunking sound when manoeuvring and braking at the same time , the technician has identified the noise coming from the brakes .
On further inspection in the workshop this morning he has found there are non-genuine brakes on the vehicle which is causing this noise.

What Is happening with the brakes is the brake pad itself is moving in the calliper as it not tight fit as they are no genuine. The pads are lifting when you brake in the calliper causing a clunk. To solve this clunk you would need to replace the pads and discs with genuine parts.

If you would like us to carry this out I can authorise 15% off the labour and 10% off the parts as a goodwill gesture from ourselves this would make the replacement cost £ 489.80 inc vat.

Please can you advise how you would like to move forward.

Can anybody confirm whether they've had a problem with Pagid's before? I'm onto my second set now and I've never come across any problems with them. Just before I throw the book at them.

[fortythirtyfive]

Yup, so the master technician replicated his findings in the carpark.

When I roll forwards it pushes all pads forwards - then it won't do it again until I put it into reverse causing a change of direction and the pads being slammed backwards into the caliper.

Felt like an idiot after kicking off but at least they've finally found the cause after 2 years.. I even got a pot of tea out of it, shame the technician turned up as I was just pouring it.

[evdok]

Yep true on there behalf, good job I bought genuine pads last week when on offer although I have 4K miles left(4mm).

Glad you got it sorted.

[IAmATeaf]

So what’s the cause of the loose pads and did you remind them that they claimed all their cars did this?