Steering wheel play

[ZsX5o3]

Originally Posted by weasel56

No, it does not have more play, just easier steering/less effort. And no the end link "chopstics" won't cause play in steering wheel.

Try this, sitting with engine off gently wiggle the steering wheel left/right. Is the play felt there? If it is then have someone wiggle it back and forth for you and look at the joint in question under the hood checking for the slack.

Isn't it more "play" at really low speeds? I can remember being in a parking lot and turning the wheel left and right without the wheels moving, is that not how it should be? The 4.8 steering felt more solid & responsive to me, I believe they are different systems which was outlined in this thread

[Dietitian]

"play" is the amount you can turn the steering wheel without affecting the car's direction, caused by loose or worn steering parts .

[omodos]

Got the same issue,wiggle wheel left and right and hear a slight dull clunking noise, is the reason for this play/noise in the steering a worn double joint?wife has a 318i and I wiggled her steering wheel and the wheels respond by moving at a much earlier stage than on my x5 3.0d, I also had the double joint tightened by my mechanic but it made no difference, he started talking about having to take out the steering column and went on about bearings etc etc?are there any in the steering column?or is he talking kaka????

[Weasel]

Sounds like he don't know what he's talking about... The joint in question is under the hood, and there isn't anything to worry about in the column.

[omodos]

thanks for that, I am gonna check it again today, last nite I checked my tire pressue instead of 2.2 bar they were all on average 1.75 bar, no doubt deflated tires make steering more difficult and put more pressue on the joints you suggest may need replacing tightnening......thanks for your replies so far, conclusions I have made so far based on all the posts I have read:

bad chopsticks/ sway bar links do not cause steering wheel play

but they do cause clunking rattling noises when you go over speed humps and potholes

bad thrust rod bushings cause noises from the front on accelaration

steering wheel vibration on braking -if you can shake the tires from side to side when x5 is lifted, and they are loose and they have a lot of play,the lowwr control arms need changing or looking at

or thrust arm bushings or warped rotors/discs

or wheel balancing tire pressure

Please correct me if i am wrong

[JBF]

Originally Posted by omodos

Got the same issue,wiggle wheel left and right and hear a slight dull clunking noise

I get this; a very slight click/clunk felt through the steering wheel when parking or driving in the city (constant small left/right steering input). It feels a bit like it's your wrist clicking? Not a massive issue but it is annoying and shouldn't happen. I had the car at the dealers to have my parking sensors repaired and mentioned it. They said that they could not reproduce the problem. I'm thinking the tech who tested it probably didn't check very thoroughly.

To me it feels like a bad bearing somewhere in the steering column. I will insist that they look more closely at it next time I take the car in. Intending to get full use out of my extended warranty.

[omodos]

well to be frank I have learned to live with it, took it to the mechanics
they tried to tighten something underneath as far as they could,
and then told me it was some ring in the steering column and not to worry
and that to replace would mean major work and $$$ and not to bother hmmmm
let me know how you get on please

[JBF]

I would imagine 'some ring' would mean a bearing and that the steering column needs to be replaced to fix it.

Im surprised my dealers weren't more eager to locate and fix it. I'm under warranty so anything they do means they make $$$.

[Weasel]

I still think y'all are feeling some minor slack in the steering spindle under the hood... Either part#2 or part#8. (most likely #8)


RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i STEER.COL.-LOWER JOINT ASSY

[JBF]

I found it is easier to reproduce and louder when the engine is off. Sounds a bit like I just have it on the steering lock but that's not the case. With the engine running and while driving the noise is not as audible but I can feel it through the steering wheel and it's annoying/distracting once you've noticed it.

Took this earlier today:

http://tinyurl.com/x5steeringplay