Steering lower joint assembly
#1
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My Ride: 08 528i
Model Year: 2008
I recently bought an '08 528i from a private party (out of warranty) and noticed a clunk from the steering column. I had a PPI done before purchase but apperantly this was missed.
On saturday I looked at all the suspension components and could not find anything that was suspect. When I reached the steering joint assemply from underneath and wiggled it, it seemed the noise was coming form atop (inside the cabin/steering column area). So today I took the steering wheel trim cover off and it appears to be lower joint assemply. The joint has part number 220-105-5733-A but it appears the replacement part is the entire lower joint assembly 32306780892 (part 5 on drawing)
Has anyone replaced this? Any suggestions?
On saturday I looked at all the suspension components and could not find anything that was suspect. When I reached the steering joint assemply from underneath and wiggled it, it seemed the noise was coming form atop (inside the cabin/steering column area). So today I took the steering wheel trim cover off and it appears to be lower joint assemply. The joint has part number 220-105-5733-A but it appears the replacement part is the entire lower joint assembly 32306780892 (part 5 on drawing)
Has anyone replaced this? Any suggestions?
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My Ride: 530iA 04
I recently bought an '08 528i from a private party (out of warranty) and noticed a clunk from the steering column. I had a PPI done before purchase but apperantly this was missed.
On saturday I looked at all the suspension components and could not find anything that was suspect. When I reached the steering joint assemply from underneath and wiggled it, it seemed the noise was coming form atop (inside the cabin/steering column area). So today I took the steering wheel trim cover off and it appears to be lower joint assemply. The joint has part number 220-105-5733-A but it appears the replacement part is the entire lower joint assembly 32306780892 (part 5 on drawing)
Has anyone replaced this? Any suggestions?
Attachment 124765
Attachment 124766
Attachment 124767
On saturday I looked at all the suspension components and could not find anything that was suspect. When I reached the steering joint assemply from underneath and wiggled it, it seemed the noise was coming form atop (inside the cabin/steering column area). So today I took the steering wheel trim cover off and it appears to be lower joint assemply. The joint has part number 220-105-5733-A but it appears the replacement part is the entire lower joint assembly 32306780892 (part 5 on drawing)
Has anyone replaced this? Any suggestions?
Attachment 124765
Attachment 124766
Attachment 124767
#3
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My Ride: 08 528i
Model Year: 2008
We're talking about two different things - the part I'm talking about is the lower steering column which should be around $400 US (part 5 on the diagram). Has anyone replaced this? Any tips/advice?
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Make sure everything is clocked correctly to keep the steering wheel straight, mark the shaft. I believe you have a cable reel in the steering wheel assembly and it will only turn so many turns one way and the other. Turn it more than that at you risk breaking a very sensitive (expensive) part.
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I'm happy to report the clunking noise is gone. The lower steering shaft was replaced today, I didn't trust myself to do the repair, plus the shop (indy) said it would require an alignment depending on how the installation went.
The odd thing is that the old part does not appear to have any play? Hard to say, but maybe PDP was correct, it may just have needed to be tightened all around. I tightened the top bolt but it didn't make a difference ?? Regardless, I'm very pleased the stupid clunking noise is gone. The part was $400 (dealer only) and labor was 2 hours $190 no alignment needed. Old part below:
The odd thing is that the old part does not appear to have any play? Hard to say, but maybe PDP was correct, it may just have needed to be tightened all around. I tightened the top bolt but it didn't make a difference ?? Regardless, I'm very pleased the stupid clunking noise is gone. The part was $400 (dealer only) and labor was 2 hours $190 no alignment needed. Old part below:
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I'm happy to report the clunking noise is gone. The lower steering shaft was replaced today, I didn't trust myself to do the repair, plus the shop (indy) said it would require an alignment depending on how the installation went.
The odd thing is that the old part does not appear to have any play? Hard to say, but maybe PDP was correct, it may just have needed to be tightened all around. I tightened the top bolt but it didn't make a difference ?? Regardless, I'm very pleased the stupid clunking noise is gone. The part was $400 (dealer only) and labor was 2 hours $190 no alignment needed. Old part below:
Attachment 125798
The odd thing is that the old part does not appear to have any play? Hard to say, but maybe PDP was correct, it may just have needed to be tightened all around. I tightened the top bolt but it didn't make a difference ?? Regardless, I'm very pleased the stupid clunking noise is gone. The part was $400 (dealer only) and labor was 2 hours $190 no alignment needed. Old part below:
Attachment 125798
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My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Glad to hear the noise is gone. I think I may have the same issue on my E60. It mainly clunks when pulling into my driveway or where there is a dip in the road while turing in. Plus now it's starting to happen going over some bumps in the road as well. Does this sound similar to your issue?
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Yeah franco5, it sounds a lot like it.
You can try to tightened the lower joint assembly (part 6 on the diagram) at the top by the steering wheel and down below by the steering rack. If you don't get any improvement than you may choose to replace the joint assembly to see if it gets rid of the clunking sound. Mine was really noisy when trying to parallel park in a tight spot - a lot of turning of the steering wheel so you could hear it and feel it on through the steering wheel.
You can try to tightened the lower joint assembly (part 6 on the diagram) at the top by the steering wheel and down below by the steering rack. If you don't get any improvement than you may choose to replace the joint assembly to see if it gets rid of the clunking sound. Mine was really noisy when trying to parallel park in a tight spot - a lot of turning of the steering wheel so you could hear it and feel it on through the steering wheel.