Steering wheel clunk on my '90 iX? Is there an adjustment screw...

[supernaughtIX]

I was able to take a look at the joint with the car on the ground, someone else turning the wheel side to side slightly. You can see it a bit looking down from above with a flashlight, but you can get a better look from behind the driver's side wheel if the steering is turned mostly to the pass side. You have to get on the ground, but its quick to check. At least I think that's how I looked at it.
You should be able to see or feel some slight backlash between the input and output of the joint - if that's the problem. Sometimes you have to move it around a bit to find the loose spot though.

[audiquattrot]

just an update....replaced the u-joint steering knuckle, and the problem is now fixed! I had a really loose steering + rattling/knocking coming from the steering column which progressively got worse over the last 2yrs. Recently going over bumps was hairy, and the steering was all over the place. The old knuckle out of the car had tons of play. Glad she's fixed now. The steering is nice and tight, which it never was since I bought the car!

[supernaughtIX]

congrats

[audiquattrot]

congrats

actually i take that back. lol

So the problem did get a bit better after the u-joint replacement, but I'm still getting a steering wheel wobble (more pronounced when applying the brakes on occasion at highway speeds).

I replaced all 4 rotors and pads, and the brake pedal is firm and good. Its just on occasion the steering wheel will shake and shimmy/vibration even just rolling.

Power steering rack play you think? I also read somewhere that there is a guibo connected to the steering column? thoughts?

[supernaughtIX]

Power steering play is highly unlikely. You're more likely to see a bad balljoint or CAB.

[audiquattrot]

Power steering play is highly unlikely. You're more likely to see a bad balljoint or CAB.

yeah I think that might be the next thing to tackle....the control arms. I couldn't imagine it transferring that much play & shimmy to the inside cabin....but i guess its likely. I've replaced the rear front control arm bushings (rubber circle), all new sway links, springs, shocks, even motor mounts thinking any one of them could be the issue. Thanks for your input btw.

[supernaughtIX]

Did you do tierods?

All of these things can potentially contribute to vibration or alignment/pulling issues:
bad control arm balljoints, inner or outer tierod joints, control arm bushing, wheel bearing, low tire pressure, tire damage/wear

It can all be felt in the car, and anything that happens in the front end will be felt through the steering wheel.

[E30Gus]

Tires out of balance possibly. I just did a tire rotation and my front started shaking at various speeds. Went to balance the fronts and the guy said the weights fell off of one of the rims. Problem solved.

[nando]

I had the wierdest thing cause a nasty vibration/steering shake the last couple weeks: an bad CV joint. go figure!

[audiquattrot]

Did you do tierods?

All of these things can potentially contribute to vibration or alignment/pulling issues:
bad control arm balljoints, inner or outer tierod joints, control arm bushing, wheel bearing, low tire pressure, tire damage/wear

It can all be felt in the car, and anything that happens in the front end will be felt through the steering wheel.

yup both inner & outer tie rods i replaced last yr. Same w/ both front wheel bearings. Also filled up my tires to 36psi sunday. I'm slowly trying to rule things out....as you can see lol.

Tires out of balance possibly. I just did a tire rotation and my front started shaking at various speeds. Went to balance the fronts and the guy said the weights fell off of one of the rims. Problem solved.

I'm hoping that's all it is. I know i slightly bent one or two of my Alpinas (thanks to NYC potholes)....thing is though, sometimes its' there, sometimes its' not. I would think bent wheels would produce a shimmy vibration all the time.

I had the wierdest thing cause a nasty vibration/steering shake the last couple weeks: an bad CV joint. go figure!

hmmm How did you pin it back to a bad CV joint? What signs did you see that were bad?

[nando]

I could hear it rattling around when driving slowly in a straight line. I swapped in another one I had, and it all went away.. the noise at low speed, and specifically, a nasty vibration/wheel shake at 75mph..

[audiquattrot]

I could hear it rattling around when driving slowly in a straight line. I swapped in another one I had, and it all went away.. the noise at low speed, and specifically, a nasty vibration/wheel shake at 75mph..

yeah after driving it for the last wk, i'm almost certain its my front control arms (lollipop most likely). In stop/go traffic, i can feel the front suspension shift + clunk. Smooth roads isn't really an issue, its 40mph+ where I sometimes feel the shimmy.

btw, where is a good place to get iX control arms these days? I know their pricey new.

[audiquattrot]

btw almost 1900 views in this thread? lol

[NNW]

I recently bought a control arm from bmwmercedesparts.com $183.45 shipped. Was quick to arrive as well.

[audiquattrot]

well my new CA's arrived yesterday ($200/each from bmwmercedesparts) ouch.. I'll report back nxt wk....hopefully this is the cause of this long ongoing issue w/ my front suspension/steering! I'm also going to drop the lower dash and try to tighten that stupid 32mm nut that i should've done from the beginning. I'll be pretty pissed if that was all it was!