Steering rack
 

I dropped the X off at the dealer this morning. When braking hard my steering wheel was going wild. I thought it was warped rotors. They called and said I need a new steering rack. I seached and see there are threads on replacing steering racks but there's no mention of my problem. The only time I had an issue was with hard braking. No clicking noise, so shimmy. Can someone explain in girlie terminology.

TIA :)

Hmmm, is it your tie rods that has gone bad?

Can someone explain in girlie terminology.

The thingy that turns the wheels is broken, it's to loose. Mine was done a year ago also.

For God's sake get your thingy fixed! Seems early though.

They're fixing my thingy now - I don't even have 25K miles.

Laura - let's see if I can describe this in such a way that you can picture it...

Your steering wheel is connected to a rod that runs through your dashboard and fire wall to somewhere between the front wheels. At the end of this rod is a round gear called a "pinion gear". The teeth of the pinion gear mesh with the teeth on the steering rack. Keeping it simple, the steering rack is also considered a gear, but it's not round like you might think a gear should look, it's a straight bar with gear teeth on it. The steering rack is perpendicular to the rod that I described earlier and it sits between the wheels like this ()====(). The front wheels are connected to the ends of the steering rack. When you turn the steering wheel, the pinion gear moves the steering rack back and forth to make your wheels turn. This is where the term "rack and pinion steering" comes from.

Did I do OK? Did that help? ;)

I got that but why would I have an issue only when braking hard, she is pin straight the rest of the time. I have been noticing a 'skip' when I go over uneven road seams lately.

Thanks for the girlie explanation :thumbup:

I don't know that answer, but I'd guess that the steering rack bushings are worn out and when you brake, the force is causing it to move in the wrong direction or to vibrate. My question would be "why is it gone so early in it's life?". Steering racks should last waaaaaaaaay longer than that! It was probably defective to begin with...

When you brake the load changed to the front of the car and the steering rack is responcible for the stability during that time, if the pinion (worm) gear is worn the rack will move back and forth causing a vibration

Thank you! :)

:rofl: :rofl:

I figured that might cause a laugh, but hey.... it's what happens.

You guys wouldn't be taking advantage of a girlie now, would you :confused: :rofl:

Why? BMW saved a few $$$ by making thingies with cheap inferior stuff. Cheap inferior stuff never lasts as long as the expensive superior stuff you actually paid for but did not get. Bad BMW!

I guess that means I shouldn't be replacing a steering rack at 25K miles.

Steering racks should last much longer than 25k. There are vehicles on the road that cost a whole lot less than a BMW with 100K + and 200K+ on the steering racks. IMHO a steering rack should last at least as long as an engine provided they are driven normally.

Not unless we get the chance.:rofl:

I dare you to try - you wouldn't like me when I mad :rofl:

Any 'girlie' who can bust a steering rack should have no problem busting someone's chops. :rofl:

any chance the dealer is looking to make extra $$$ by replacing the whole rack when ONLY the inner and/or outer tie rods are bad?:confused:

All warranty - doesn't bother me.

O/T
You know I am strictly kidding right?:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

See - I scared you already :nanana:

Yeah, it worked!:thumbup:

My 01 4.4i goes in tomorrow to have the whole thing replaced. Noticed it was leaking on my garage floor one morning.(From the boot) All covered under the CPO warranty which EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH!!!!!!! Can I hear Amen.....I've got 88k on the truck. I'm the 3rd owner so I have no idea of this was a result of someone abusing it previous to me. Thank god for CPO.........

I just got the X back
 

I can't believe the difference in the feel. The steering is so tight now. Almost feels weird. I guess like The Cleaner said in one of his posts. When something happens gradually, you don't realize it until you fix it.

Glad its fixed. Did you ask why so early?:dunno:

No, actually I didn't. I imagine poor quality parts/components.

Just curious, what did the dealership report/#'s etc. on the work order

Get mine back today with v.23 software. He wanted to do throttle body with dinan, but I said wait 'til I drive it first. If you have v.22, he rec. v.23 for 05's and 04's too.:thumbup:

I asked about the v 23 software upgrade - he said my VIN wasn't included. I did do a software upgrade awhile back and the difference was amazing. :thumbup:

I will post later on the outcome.:thumbup:

Yep, mine back today too.....yes, much tighter in the steering. I'll post the part numbers tomorrow for you guys if you want them.