Clunking sound in steering/suspension - Page 3

Traveler · #21 09-26-2012, 02:41 PM

Picked up some Lithium grease and used the BMW special tool as described in a previous post (several straws connected together) to spray directly down into the joint. Resistance in the turn immediately cleared up! But...my clicking seems to be more frequent in the turning of the steering wheel. Not to a concerning level, but enough that I am going to look into some other stuff. I think maybe I should look at the tie rods or the stiffening plate bolts behind the rack? What do you guys think?

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cfmistry · #22 09-26-2012, 05:39 PM

I also picked up some white lithium (2/$6 Liquid Wrench White Lithium @ Autozone today if anyone is interested...) just now. Turned the wheel a few times and resprayed. Will report back tonight if the results are good! I've had my "click" so long I know exactly how to set it off heh.

tynashracing · #23 09-26-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackjetvette97

Hi all,
So, I'm replacing the tie rods on both sides, because I believe that is where the sound(a binding, then release causing the clunk/click) is originating from. Got a set from AutohausAZ and they're being installed today. At my bud's shop, I felt the steering with the wheels OFF both front sides(the car was in the air, on his lift) and the turning was smooth.....When there is stress on the rods with the wheels on and car on ground, I would get the binding. I'll report back about my results.

Steve

Steve,

Be sure to let us know what you find. In my situation, I found that everything cleared up when I got the lithium grease into the double joint. My tie rods are apparently still serviceable since I'm no longer having any issues.
There must be multiple levels of noises, clicks and clunks associated with our truck!

tynashracing · #24 09-26-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traveler

Picked up some Lithium grease and used the BMW special tool as described in a previous post (several straws connected together) to spray directly down into the joint. Resistance in the turn immediately cleared up! But...my clicking seems to be more frequent in the turning of the steering wheel. Not to a concerning level, but enough that I am going to look into some other stuff. I think maybe I should look at the tie rods or the stiffening plate bolts behind the rack? What do you guys think?

Traveler,
Mine didn't clear up IMMEDIATELY...it took a little driving and several turns before the steering was smooth and fluid.
Wish I could be of more assistance...maybe we'll hear from Steve if the new tie rods did the trick for him!

cfmistry · #25 09-26-2012, 08:36 PM

Wow. I drove about 10 miles just now and no clicks whatsoever. Normally I really feel it while taking slow turns such as in a parking lot. None at all now even with me trying. I can't believe this click could be gone so easily...

Traveler · #26 09-26-2012, 08:52 PM

Ok, drove it around a bit more today and even back up a trailer (lots of turning of the wheel) and clicks are gone. That $3 can of liquid wrench was a good fix...now to change the transmission fluid :-/

Thanks for the help guys!

DTMdan · #27 09-26-2012, 09:23 PM

I also bought some Liquid Wrench white lithium grease after work today, sprayed it a couple times and it smoothed out the tight feeling steering a lot.

tynashracing · #28 09-26-2012, 10:26 PM

Hmmm, can't get multiple quotes working for me on this forum...maybe it's lack of posts?!

Anyway, glad to hear that the lithium grease has been as effective for you guys as it was for me.
As of today, I've now got over 700 miles since I sprayed it and the steering still feels awesome.

Blackjetvette97 · #29 09-27-2012, 07:58 PM

Hi all,
****Update****
So, my mech was getting into the tie rod swap job and noticed that the steering rack had quite a bit of play in it(he said it's supposed to be tight). I guess I am in need of a new steering rack to fix the clunking sound coming from the under-engine area now. My X has 127K+ miles. I will prob buy a reman'd rack from ZF, since I can't find ANYONE to rebuild mine or find a rebuild kit for it either.....Where's the bang head icon!

Steve

Blackjetvette97 · #30 10-26-2012, 07:30 PM

Hi all,
Ok, so this is where my situation ended up. After finding out that the clunk was coming from a loose steering rack, I went on a hunt to find a place that would rebuild my oem. I find it very dumb/wasteful to just buy another and toss mine into a landfill. I called ZF Steering and spoke to a very nice gentleman there(don't remember his name). He said they had 9 of my type of rebuilt racks in stock and cost was $1300 plus like 29 bucks shipping(no core and they didn't require mine back, nor did they want it!)......A gigantic deal compared to the typical ridiculous quote I got from my BMW dealer for just the part($2,800 bucks). I told him my concern about just wanting my rack rebuilt and he said they honestly didn't do that with cars like my X, since they dealt in very large equip, like buses/trucks/etc. He said "How many X5's do you think are out there that need their racks rebuilt?".......Made total sense and I saw his point immediatley! So, he was very helpful in listening to my request about wanting mine rebuilt. He gave me the names of 2 Co's in U.S that do this(Cardone & ATSCO) and asked where I lived........I live in Vegas and ATSCO is in Phoenix, so he gave me their number. He also gave me the approx price, $600 bucks, it would run to have mine rebuilt(That was really cool of him!). I thanked him and told him I'd be a customer of his if I could not get mine rebuilt afterall. I just want to say a big thank you to the gentleman and to ZF Steering for being such great people and an upstanding biz....It was such a breathe of fresh air to not deal with a slimeball who wants to just rip me off and take my money! Anyway, I called ATSCO and spoke to them concerning getting my rack rebuilt. The gentleman I spoke to there said they did not rebuild for customers off the street and that I had to go through one of their "Authorized dealers/distributors" who had an acct with them. He asked where I lived and gave me a list of all the biz's who could broker this repair for me......One of the biz's was Pep Boys. I hung up with him and called my local Pep Boys. I spoke to the Manager there and explained my situation. I had a steering rack that I wanted to have sent to ATSCO in AZ and get reman'd. All Pep had to do was facilitate the back & forth shipping and they would make a little money on top. The Manager was at a loss, so I told him Pep had a Corp acct with ATSCO, to call and speak to my contact there and he would explain it all to him, then hung up with Pep. The Manager called a few minutes later with the green light and my total price for everything.....$850, including all shipping charges! Not bad, especially looking at the alternative at the STEALER!

I packaged up my rack myself, took it to Pep and they sent it out to ATSCO for rebuild. I got it back in approx a week, rebuilt, rock-solid and good as new. My mech installed it and now my steering is tight as can be with NO clunks, creaks or anything. My total cost in getting this done was cost to pull out & reinstall my rack plus the $917(Pep cost plus tax) of the rack rebuild and the 10 bucks for the box. I saved literally THOUSANDS from being RIPPED OFF by the Stealer. If anyone wants anymore info or guidance on how to do this, let me know and I will be glad to help out as best I can.

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