Groaning when turning

[miloh]

Y'all,


I had the steering rack serviced on my x5 about a year and a half ago and since then it will occasionally make a groaning noise when turning quickly and hard. It sounds like when you wet your finger and rub it on a large piece of metal so that is vibrates and hums. It happens once every blue moon. When it got cold in November 2020, I remember it happening every morning for a month, but then it went away.

Power Steering fluid is at the level. Steering performance hasn't been impacted. It does it even when it's warmed up (at operating temperature for at least 5 minutes).


I have a 2007 535i that started making this noise, too. Has anyone experienced this? Is this the shop doing a shitty job or is there something else that could be problematic?

[andrewwynn]

Wife's old e53 used to do that. It would go away when warm and was really bad when ambient was low temp.

I've heard that bita from a bad rack can get into the pump and cause problems like you describe.

[miloh]

Oh man andrew, you saying this scares me


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[andrewwynn]

Yeah I have to replace my rack so I'm just at concerned. That said look into drain and fill options. I will be draining every drop out of my pump when I change my rack.

Also track the sound. Often it's simple as a tensioner bearing.

[80stech]

The description of the sound could indicate a seizing ball joint. Maybe listen from the outside while somebody turns the wheel if you can.

[miloh]

Originally Posted by 80stech

The description of the sound could indicate a seizing ball joint. Maybe listen from the outside while somebody turns the wheel if you can.

Ok I’ll try soon, it’s supposed to be cool this weekend so hopefully it does it.

Thanks both of y’all. If I pinpoint it I’ll reply


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[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by 80stech

The description of the sound could indicate a seizing ball joint. Maybe listen from the outside while somebody turns the wheel if you can.

You will usually get squeaks over bumps from dry ball joint. Push down on the bumper and if it squeaks as the bumper goes up and down, for sure a ball joint (4 or side) is at fault


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[Rockit]

You also may want to check the power steering fluid and see if its the right fluid.

I'm sure someone can chime in and say what to use. Some people add pension fluid and that wrong.

On mine the steering was getting progressively stiffer. My car is 19 years old. I used a turkey baster and removed the fluid, Then filled the reservoir with new fluid, than started the car shut it off and kept removing fluid and adding. Then filled completely with a synthetic transmission fluid. I forget what I used but its posted here somewhere what fluid to use. After I changed the fluid my steering was like new. The fluid change made HUGE difference.

Its says on the cap what fluid type to use. Most take transmission fluid.