Steering wheel play

[omodos]

Originally Posted by Dietitian

My steering wheel has about 1 inch of play on the highway. Is that normal?

It also "clicks" if I turn it back and forth quickly -- the dealer told me it was the lower joint where the steering column meets the steering rack, and that it will cost about $750 to replace.

Dealer says all my suspension parts are fine including ball joints and the sway bar links, and tie rod ends.

Anyone ever heard of this joint going bad?

Hi, Did you get this sorted?if so how?I got chopstick clanging at the moment and next on the list is the slight play, so need to address the issues soon

[Brit6]

Hey dude, did you ever fix the clicking in your steering wheel? I have the exact same issue on mine and the indy mechanic told me to replace the steering rack so i bought a used one and got it installed but it's making the same noise

BTW: #8 on this diagram is a hex nut, i am guessing you guys are referring to #1 (steering shaft)?

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

Originally Posted by JBF

Take a look, I'm in the UK so RHD too. Some parts will fit. You could also have ordered parts from the UK. Not sure how tight your customs service are on import duty but generally in the UK they are pretty good if it's obvious that the package is a private/consumer shipment rather than commercial. Mind you a steering rack is probably rather conspicuous!

[Weasel]

The rag joint on top of #1 can cause slack/clicking as well as double joint #2. The double joint can also cause some binding feel in certain positions when it starts acting up. Worth looking at with a flashlight while someone moves the wheel for you, but hard to see from any angle. Just be glad you have the 3,0i as it is even more buried on the V8 models.

[Brit6]

Yup! According to realoem.com though they can only be replaced as 1 piece on my 01 3.0i. I don't mind though its only about $400 for both, i just want this problem fixed, steering is one of the things i hate when not perfect since you do it so much lol. Thanks Weasel.

Originally Posted by Weasel

The rag joint on top of #1 can cause slack/clicking as well as double joint #2. The double joint can also cause some binding feel in certain positions when it starts acting up. Worth looking at with a flashlight while someone moves the wheel for you, but hard to see from any angle. Just be glad you have the 3,0i as it is even more buried on the V8 models.

[Brit6]

I ordered the parts today, hopefully will get them installed on Friday, too bad i didnt have them when we replaced the rack! Oh well let's hope all is fixed, new steering rack, double joint, and steering shaft, will be like all new

[Brit6]

Was at my indy mechanic again today, i had brought them the double-joint and steering shaft to replace but they told me that the rack they put in was still defective (a used one with only 60,000 miles on it). He said that the bearing on the driver side was moving up and down, it had too much play in it.

I am going to have to find a reman steering rack, i found a ZF one for around $500USD instead of the $250CDN i paid for a used one.

Should i just change the double-joint and steering shaft at the same time since the rack is getting removed again and i have the parts?

Soo annoying! Been 3 weeks without my X, i miss it! lol Thnx!

Originally Posted by Weasel

The rag joint on top of #1 can cause slack/clicking as well as double joint #2. The double joint can also cause some binding feel in certain positions when it starts acting up. Worth looking at with a flashlight while someone moves the wheel for you, but hard to see from any angle. Just be glad you have the 3,0i as it is even more buried on the V8 models.

[Weasel]

Well, if you have the parts and the rack is coming out again then it will be the perfect time. There will not be an easier time to change those parts.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by 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

did you figure out exactly what was the problem with that
"" a very slight click/clunk felt through the steering wheel""?

i have the same problem,
i have purchase this 01 x5 4.4l and after 3-4 weeks some noise was up under the hood,and when i was turning the steering wheel left and right,then i have spray some wd40 on the double joint and the noise went away,,after a week it was up again,,so i said i will just use some vaseline,
to stay there ,,so it looks like it was fine,,but few days later,,this " a very slight click/clunk felt through the steering wheel" i started to feel when turning right and left,

so i have read this tread and i did few tests, i have check the inside under the steering wheel and everything looks okay,no movement on the lower joint assembly (inside the suv) but when i go outside and shake little the double joint i can see little play going up on that lower joint assembly thru that metal rod,,

so can anyone give me some advice what maybe...
thanks you

[ekvals]

I have the little click/clunk when turning quickly from right to left, or vice versa..

I do not have any steering wheel play, but it is a liiiiiittle bit annoying..

[Brit6]

That's what i thought, but if my rack was the problem all along i am putting $400 of steering parts for nothing, but at least i won't have to ever change those again

Originally Posted by Weasel

Well, if you have the parts and the rack is coming out again then it will be the perfect time. There will not be an easier time to change those parts.