[F30_Jonny]

Hi guys, apologies if you have read this before but i am needing some help/advice.

I have searched the net and have kind of come to a conclusion but thought i would seek a little advice from you UK lot.

Long story short i have recently upgraded from Audi S3 to my 330D but when the engine is off you can hear a nock/clunk.

The car was registered in June 2013 so is just coming up to end of warranty, i have spoke with my local BMW dealer and they said bring it in and we will have a look, but did explain if nothing was found i would be charged an hours labour (£142 inc vat)

The noise is exactly the same as this:

Any of you guys had/experienced this? From reading posts it points towards the steering rack.

Many thanks,
Jonny.

[KM79]

They do this by design buuuut some are far worse than others.Steering rack replacement on you're age of car is very common.Get it booked in and press them for a new rack,I doubt you'll get much resistance.

[amsbmw]

Mine does this to. I noticed when I tried to lock the steering, is this supposed to happen? My cars booked in next week for a service so if this isnt right I could ask them to have a look aswell

[F30_Jonny]

Spot on, thanks lads.

Yes that is also how i found the noise, attempting to put a steering lock on but it doesn't seem to lock?

My car is due its first MOT, will it fail due to this noise?

I rang BMW today and she said to me the previous owner took a service plan out so i have free service for 5year/50,000 - is this just a simple oil and filters or will they go as far as pads if they are showing on the screen?

I intend on getting it booked in for service, MOT and investigation to this noise. Is there like a Technical Service Bulletin or anything for this? i know on VAG they issue TSB for common problems such as this.

Thanks again for help chaps.
Jonny.

[KM79]

No will not fail MOT.Its just the way the racks are designed.Theres an Ista test plan for it which says um do nothing as its normal 😏

[pdk42]

My 2014 335i F31 had a similar clunking issue. New steering rack and track rod ends were fitted under warranty which fixed it. Word on the streets is that it's only a matter of time before it'll happen again. My warranty runs out this Dec so if it's going to fail again I hope it gets a move on!

[F30_Jonny]

Thank you for the reply, i will get the inspection added onto the back of my service and MOT and push for new rack before warranty expires.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

That's much worse than what it should be of yours is like the video. Mine makes a noise but only slightly.

I had a new rack fitted to my Oct '13 car - the more significant symptom was an awful 'cv joint' type noise when reversing around corners or onto my drive. Try that then get to the dealer.

£142 is a rip off - they are charging one hours labour but negotiate down to £99 tops.

[f30GTR]

I get the same noise but I also get clunk when im turning the wheel to the right (LHD). After countless of posts online from people with the same issue I am wondering if it's just time to trade my car for something else. Metal on metal clunk is never normal.

[F30_Jonny]

Hi all thanks for the replies/input. Unfortunately i was initially told the noise was due to my "aftermarket exhaust" and it is resonating through into the cabin! I explained to them on the phone that it has absolutely nothing to do with the exhaust as it makes the nocking noise with ignition off. Having none of it, i went to collect the car and challenge the techys decision and Mr guy in a suit came at me with the card machine! i honestly could not believe it and said im not paying anything and i want to speak with the techy who looked at my car.

After arguing about getting the techy out to speak to me i went and showed him the car and he "sheepishly" said it was coming from the rack and i would have to leave the car for further investigation work. Left the car and went to collect later that evening "Sorry Sir yes you do have a defective steering rack but BMW advice us NOT to replace due to it being a like for like and not a cure.

Absolutely gutted, i have come from top end Audis in the past and thought i would try a BMW and it makes sounds similar to the car i learned to drive in!

After seeing user@amsbmw post above i requested he keep me posted on what happens with his investigation work, and his BMW garage have approved the work to fit a new rack lol. I am waiting on a few bits of info from him and im going to ring BMW UK as i cannot see how 2 people both with same car/age similar mileage can go in with the same fault, and both be told different things.

I honestly dont know what im more pissed at, the fact the techy tried having my life blaming the exhaust or the fact Mr guy in a suit tells me it cannot be fixed.

Just before i left he made it clear that, "if in the future a cure is available you can come and get it rectified however it will not be free as your car will no longer be under warranty"

really regret purchasing this car now, sorry to rant but please if anybody else is reading this and been in a similar position please speak up as i need to try get as much info as i can.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Our F21 was knocking a few weeks ago, but no where near as bad as that. I booked it in and they acknowledge there was a problem. They had it in for the day and replaced a section of the rack. I was told the steering rack is in three sections and they replaced the top section (the steering column not rack) and that has solved the issue with us.

[pdk42]

This is a well-known problem and many have had it fixed under warranty. I'd print off as many examples from this forum and others and then go back to your dealer. If they still refuse, contact BMW UK. If that fails, go to Trading Standards or Citizens' Advice and see what they say.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

So if I reading your post correctly, the service dept has acknowledged there to be a FAULT but advised they have NO CURE?

That's just not right. Many have had racks replaced, including me, and while there is a small knock still evident it is not to the same severity. I suggest the tech has just described the knock to BMW without highlighting the severity which would justify replacement

You could request they send a video to BMW or, as I would, seek a second option at another dealership. For example, Barons (who in my opinion are not particularly good) agreed immediately with my replacement and so will have presented that to BMW. It sounds like your dealer 'asked' rather than 'told' BMW about replacement.

Good luck.

[teaston]

I doubt they'll still be making the F30 in 17,997 years time!

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by teaston

I doubt they'll still be making the F30 in 17,997 years time!

It'll be a classic, no doubt about it.

[RobUK]

This...

Originally Posted by F30_Jonny

...yes you do have a defective steering rack...

Plus this...

Originally Posted by F30_Jonny

"if in the future a cure is available you can come and get it rectified however it will not be free as your car will no longer be under warranty"

...is utter nonsense on the part of the dealer. If it were true then every dealer would just blow you off whenever you reported an issue during the warranty period and then when it expired they'd welcome you in saying "Ok, we'll fix those issues now and we'll charge you for it".

They are just trying to scare you. I'd get legal on their backsides!