Weird grinding noise from up front

[stupenal]

So, I've had my 92' 325i for several months now and i've noticed that maybe 10% of the time I drive, I can feel something weird in the steering wheel whenever I turn. Also, it makes a very LOUD grinding/twisting metal sound whenever I turn the wheel. The wheel is also harder to turn. What could be the source of this problem? I'm going to be going to my mech soon, so i'm Just curious on what I should have him look for and what it might also cost me! Thanks!

[Blackfoot]

it sounds like your power steering is going.

[stupenal]

power steering pump or power steering rack? My power steering fluid reservoir is not empty, and I had my power steering flushed in may of this year. No problems were reported then. I'll have my mechanic look at it again.

Someone on another forum told me that my wheel bearings or power steering bearings need to be greased. Could that also be the case?

[Blackfoot]

that was a guess; i'm no mechanic. i have heard some grumbling from my power steering system lately. but i have 169k, so it's to be expected. your mechanic will be able to quickly pinpoint the cause.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

With most cars, you can check the front wheel bearings (to some extent) by grabbing the top of each front tire and pushing and pulling. You should just barely feel a "clunk" as you push and pull. Or perhaps not even that. If you feel more than that, there's a decent chance that the wheel bearing is either out of adjustment or is wearing out.

I don't know if BMW bearings can be adjusted. 911 and 914 ones can, and they tend to loosen up with hard use (i.e., autoXing or track use).

Other causes of the clunking include loose/worn shocks, ball joints, and so on. But combined with the noise, I would take it as a pretty decent indicator of a bearing on its way out.

--DD

[Metroporter]

I have the same exact problem. The noise is only noticeable on cold starts (for me). Depending on how cold it is, the noise is immediately heard upon cranking the car as a whinning noise. Once pressure is applied to the steering wheel (turning right or left), the whine turns into a rubbing/grinding noise. If the wheels are cranked all the way, it is a distinct grinding noise. Once the car warms up, all the noises go away... except after a hard braking. Immediately following a hard braking, the noise comes back for a moment as the steering wheel is turned.

I checked the wheel bearings as described above and there is no play in the wheels that I can tell.

[Jeron]

Wheel bearing is only going to make noise while in motion. I'd say it is the pump or rack.

Is the steering becoming more difficult? Is your p/s fluid low?