What is getting ready to brake in my steering?

[clydesdale]

My steering wheel clunks periodically. In a 15 minute around town drive, it might happen 1-2 times. When I push the wheel form 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock I feel a little play. But, while turning it, it usually seems fine. But, I get a clunk while drive periodically. It feels like it is in the column. Any ideas?

[CorvallisBMW]

There's a large collar nut on the shaft, down by your feet near the point it goes through the firewall. First thing to check would be that; make sure it's really good and tight. Next thing to check would be the flexible steering coupler inside the engine bay, on the steering shaft between the firewall and the steering rack.

[roguetoaster]

^
The collar nut under the knee panel is rather large, if needed you can use a pipe wrench to tighten it. Also be sure to have the steering wheel unlocked when you do tighten.

[clydesdale]

OK, I will check that nut. It can't be the universal under the hood. I bought a brand new one only a couple of years ago and it was a factory part and quite pricey. I would be stunned. Plus, I can hear and feel it clunk right in the column. Thanks.

[CorvallisBMW]

99% it's the collar nut then. Simple fix.

[clydesdale]

ok, I am finally going to be able to address this over the weekend. Do I need t remove anything to make this big nut visible? If that is not the source of the problem, what else could it be inside the column? I replaced the firewall knuckle fairly recently and this sound absolutely sounds like it is right under the steering wheel. It sounds like it is inside the car for sure.

[CorvallisBMW]

Just pull the trim underneath the steering wheels, above the pedals. super easy. You'll see the nut once you pull the trim panel out.

[15Michaeljoseph]

There might be a lot of wires to fight with, so be careful with the wrench in there, also, if that is not the issue, you may want to remove the steering wheel and make sure nothing is broken or loose up top.


--Mike

[Hooffenstein HD]

I've got a non airbag car so no collar nut. At 100km/h plus I start to get a pretty big rattle in my steering wheel. Any ideas?

[clydesdale]

My car is non airbag also. It does not seem to be the collar at the firewall. It is certainly up near the top of the column. I removed the steering wheel and I see a spring loaded bearing. When I move the shaft with my the wheel removed, I can hear and feel some play. When I rotate the wheel I get the poping and creeking. What do I check next?

[clydesdale]

Is this 32mm nut only in cars that have an airbag? I have clamp down at the bottom of the foot well. But, to tighten that it seems like I only need a 13mm bolt and wrench. I still can't find where the clunk and creak is coming from.

[clydesdale]

Here is a video of my steering wheel. It sounds awful. It is a non airbag car and I do not have that big nut at the fire wall. The creeking is in the car up at the steering wheel area. Please tell me what this could be?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRpqmvvlJ8

[goskidmark]

Here is a video of my steering wheel. It sounds awful. It is a non airbag car and I do not have that big nut at the fire wall. The creeking is in the car up at the steering wheel area. Please tell me what this could be?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRpqmvvlJ8

That sounds like there's an angry tiger where your steering column should be.
I would mount that camera of yours with zip ties under your dash facing up so you can isolate where the noise is originating from. I've never heard that before.

[estoguy]

Did you check the lower linkage in the engine bay? That clunk from the end of the video could be a bad u-joint in that linkage.

BTW - it looks like this:



Assuming your arms are long enough, you should be able to open the window and move the steering wheel back and forth while looking at that linkage (It's under the PS reservoir and brake booster). If it's bad u-joints or the guibo, you should be able to spot and hear it.

[clydesdale]

I am familiar with that linkage. I replaced it about 40k miles ago when I screwed it up replacing the rack. This creak sounds like it is in the car. That linkage is in the engine compartment. But, I will double check it.