Diamond

So I am taking my car in for a laundy list of stuff monday and going to try replicate this steerin clunk heard at low speeds when turning the wheel lock to lock or turning the wheel quite a bit. High speed nothing. Standing still-nothing.

I dont know despite trying to read about the intricies of rack and pinion steering what would be causing this and with the parameter of it only happening at very precise timse I would have to think that tells you what is wrong-if you were an expert, which sadly bmw mechs often suck.

So if anyone can put their thinking cap to figure out what is special about low speeds while turning.

olskooldj

Sounds similar to my issue before - the control arms had to be tightened.

budda

Can you please explane ?

jm545i

I had a problem that felt like it only happened when turning left, mostly at lower speeds, and particularly when both decelerating and turning left. I have active steering on my car, and figured there was something wrong with the AS gearbox or something.

They ended up swapping my steering shaft out, and it turned out not to be an issue with the AS mechanics. Once you can get the SA to feel it, they should take care of it, as the steering should NOT have a clunk in it.

The one thing about slower speeds is that you are more likely to turn the wheels at more of an angle. At higher speeds you're usually barely moving the wheel. It's very possible there's an issue with the steering rack well off center, or perhaps there's something going on like I had.

It's also possible that it's a suspension issue of course, with front end parts shifting around at higher steering angles like the earlier post.

Diamond

Ok I am a smart guy, have an MD degree, and usually am a problem solver-but DUHHHHHHH. What a ridiculous question for me to ask "what is the difference between high and low speed wheel turning" hahaha I am dumb so dumb-thanks for stating what should have been the obvious!

Problem mine is not obvious.

I had my steering column replaced last year for it not movin up down/tilting etc-so maybe they replaced it improperly. its so not reproducable

BlaSTiWi

Have them also check the ball joint on the steering linkage & the lower control arm.

olskooldj

Nothing really to explain. I had a 'clunking' sound whenever I turned left or right at slow speeds, or turned into a parking stall, sometimes even just accelerating, it made the clunking sound. Brought it to the dealer, they test-drove it with me to reproduce the sound and they determined the control arms were loose.
After tightening (almost a year ago) I've not had the sound return - not saying it's the same issue as yours, but it's a starting point...

BTW, it cost about $200.00 to fix at SC BMW.

bmwroger1

it could be your upper strut mounts....like previously stated when driving at lower speeds your are more likely to turn in a greater radias....when turning hard left it transfers your vehicles body weight to the right....if the upper strut mount is starting to wear then when the vehicle's body weight is transfered over to that side it will make a clunking noise...this goes the same towards the other side....get your suspension checked..it could also be a loose ball joint or front end component....most likely it could be the upper strut mounts...in this case you will have to replace both the strut alone and the mount/bearing located on the top of the strut assembly....if you have factory suspension... then your struts and mounts should be replaced every 80,000 kms... hopefully this helps you...

speedmeister

I had the clunk for 2 years.. The dealer disregarded it after multiple complaints.. finally they flushed the steering system and I don't really know what else but it fixed it.