acribb

Are you talking about a light sounding 'donk' coming from the front passenger footwell area when driving real slow (20-30mph) and turning the wheel to the left? If I do this I can hear a 'donk' from the steering rack so it seems. It is a real light noise and you can only hear it if the radio is off and you are driving slow enough where the engine noise doesn't drown out the sound. Nevertheless, it's there.

Can other people try this (with Active Steering)? Drive real slow in your neighboorhood then turn your steering wheel left, just off center, then right again. You should be able to hear it every time your turn it left. It's a soft 'donk' sound coming from what sounds like the right front bottom.

Let me know!

Thanks!

zippers525

I've got it. I can hear it if im in the garage.

GER_545SMG

I reported this a week ago (search under thread active steering noises. Not a lot of useful feedback, but something doesn't sound right. I made an AVI clip to capture the noise I'm hearing. It is present on startup and shutdown, in slow speed turns and over bumps occasionally. Sometime worse than others, maybe more when cold?

At any rate, here is the AVI... http://home.comcast.net/~grobertson2...ring_noise.AVI

Is this the noise you're hearing?

GER_545SMG

I reported this a week ago (search under thread active steering noises. Not a lot of useful feedback, but something doesn't sound right. I made an AVI clip to capture the noise I'm hearing. It is present on startup and shutdown, in slow speed turns and over bumps occasionally. Sometime worse than others, maybe more when cold?

At any rate, here is the AVI... http://home.comcast.net/~grobertson2...ring_noise.AVI

Is this the noise you're hearing?
[/quote]


BTW, the fidelity of the AVI is much better with a good set of speakers, not really true to life on my laptop, however sounds identical and true to life on my home system.

GER_545SMG

Are you talking about a light sounding 'donk' coming from the front passenger footwell area when driving real slow (20-30mph) and turning the wheel to the left? If I do this I can hear a 'donk' from the steering rack so it seems. It is a real light noise and you can only hear it if the radio is off and you are driving slow enough where the engine noise doesn't drown out the sound. Nevertheless, it's there.

Can other people try this (with Active Steering)? Drive real slow in your neighboorhood then turn your steering wheel left, just off center, then right again. You should be able to hear it every time your turn it left. It's a soft 'donk' sound coming from what sounds like the right front bottom.

Let me know!

Thanks!
[/quote]


I also hear the donk in the passenger area, in addition to the low speed noises, and upon entry/exit from the car. I bring it up because it is similar in tone to the one I hear in the steering column area as well. Absolutely cannot be normal. I expect whatever it is, that BMW will have a fix. Anything to do with AS is a major, major liability on their hands.

acribb

I reported this a week ago (search under thread active steering noises. Not a lot of useful feedback, but something doesn't sound right. I made an AVI clip to capture the noise I'm hearing. It is present on startup and shutdown, in slow speed turns and over bumps occasionally. Sometime worse than others, maybe more when cold?

At any rate, here is the AVI... http://home.comcast.net/~grobertson2...ring_noise.AVI

Is this the noise you're hearing?
[/quote]

No, that's not the sound i'm talking about. I just tried that steering wheel move like you did in the AVI. Mine doesn't make that noise except maybe a 'clunk' like that when the steering wheel goes down. After it's down with the engine on or off, no clunking like that when moving the steering wheel.

My noise sounds like it is coming from possibly the steering rack or a cv joint or something like that when the car leans on the right (as when turning the steering left). The soft 'donk' sounds kind of like if you flick the metal tab on a coke can like you're playing like it a guitar..... 'donk'... Again it is a soft sound - I drive my wife crazy making her listen to it. Again, it's from the front right area, almost beneath where the passengers right foot....

Turn steering wheel left and 'donk'. Only when driving slow (0-20 mph probably), when the engine noise doesn't drown out the noise?

Anyone else with this little noise?

P.S. I had BMW look at this the last time I was in Service. I even had the 'tech' ride with me so I could point out the noise. He acknowledged it. They replaced the right control arm. Said a bushing was 'torn'. I got the car back, and of course that same sound is still there, just like before. I guess they replaced something that probably didn't need to be replaced, or obviously diagnosed something wrong, or maybe there was a 'torn bushing' (doubt it), I don't know.

streak

Yes I have the same noise Acribb, exactly as you describe it. There is a bulletin that calls for lubricating the telescoping steering shaft but dont think that will fix it.

I dont have active steering and the noise only happens while driving at slow speeds over a slightly rough surface and turning at the same time.

Baron

It's actually more a feeling through the wheel than a sound. The steering feels to "shift" every now and then. It's worse when the car is cold.

Andy

kigerka

My car does not do that. Hope you get what ever it is solved soon.

gomac

It's actually more a feeling through the wheel than a sound. The steering feels to "shift" every now and then. It's worse when the car is cold.

Andy
[/quote]

Our Porsche use to make this sound/noise. At that time I was told it is the centering pin in the rack and pinion stearing. After the car became older we either didn't notice it or we just became use to it. Hopefully in a 8 days I will be able to tell you if I hear it too.