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

[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]

congrats

[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]

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]

been putting this off....need to really address it! everything tightened up for a yr or so (with only a faint clunk after I'd replaced almost every suspension part)....now the steering wheel clunk is getting progressively worse....and the steering play is all over the place. The odd thing is, when the roads are wet during a rain storm, under hgway speed i get almost this feeling in the steering wheel like a bent wheel would....but in dry conditions its not evident. Wondering if its related to this u-joint.

I'll report back when i get the car on the lift to check it out.

[Alaska E30ix]

Are you talking about this







sometimes they are loose..

[jaynlene]

i just purchase my first e30 2 weeks ago clean no rust lots of work need to be done, the first thing that did is the clunking noise in the dash. its a steering u join is loose .located under the dash close to firewall . after i make that thing tight that clunking noise disappear. i am really happy solve my first problem..I am here in anchorage alaska.

[nando]

on an ix? you need to remove the bolts from the u-joint, loosen the slip collar on the shaft (so you can push it up into the column) and remove the u-joint itself. You can't tell how worn it is if it's on the car, mine was popping loudly but there was no noticeable play when I looked, until I actually removed it.

on a RWD car, I have no idea.

[Heysüß]

I'm gonna be a bit lazy and ask what all needs to be removed to inspect this section. The bentley is pretty bad about explaining the assembly about this area of the car, all they have are two or three pictures of a bolt or two.

[supernaughtIX]

that clunking and play in the steering is likely an issue to do with what Nando replaced. The joint there will wear and can also start to seize, though those dont always happen together.
Ive also replaced mine, makes a big difference.

[nando]

none of those are ix parts, but it looks sort of like the one on the very end of the shaft.

[Heysüß]

was it any of these? the u-joint you replaced?

I also have a loud clunking sound right behind the steering wheel when going over bumps such as railroad tracks and the steering has some play. I actually got to witness the steering getting loose since I bought the car, the sound right behind the steering wheel got louder and I felt the steering get less and less precise.

[nando]

I replaced the U-joint, yes.

[audiquattrot]

yeah, I think it's 32mm. I used an adjustable wrench.

I know the sound, trust me. I spent a long time tracking it down, even replaced the rack and tie rods. I didn't find it until it got so bad it popped very loudly when I turned the wheel. removed the u-joint and it was super loose..

did you replace the u-joint or is there a way to tighten it once removed? I haven't ventured under there yet....but plan on it once it gets a little warmer

95% of the clunk went away once i replaced the broken front spring & blown shocks....the ball joints on the control arm are good...and so are the tie-rods....I hear it time to time when i drive over really rocky or cobblestone roads.

[audiquattrot]

snapped spring & blown shock will do it. lol

next challenge....actually getting the strut housing out of the car so I can actually replace the front shock/springs =P