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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 21
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Steering issues on 1996 328is
My 1996 328is is having some steering issues. The steering column is making some weird sounds when I turn sharp like a spring under tension and it getting harder to turn the steering wheel. Power steering fluid level is fine. Does any of my pelican brothers have any answers for me. Has anyone experienced this problem before? jimbob1421
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jimmy j |
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05-21-2012, 03:49 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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Check whats happening to the road springs as you turn, maybe something is hanging up there, it could be a broken coil or stiff top mount bearing.......
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05-22-2012, 11:56 AM
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Location: washington state
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Thanks Markdas. I did check the springs as you suggested but found nothing. The tension and noise are right under the steering wheel. Is there a bearing at the top of the steer column just under the steering wheel?
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jimmy j |
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05-22-2012, 08:35 PM
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Hmmm not that I know of, but I havn't taken the steering column off the car yet?
The linkage section that joins the steering column to the rack has about 3-4 swivel joints and its quite complex. Have a good visual look at that area and make sure nothing like hoses or starter cable etc has found its way over and its touching any of the rotating peices? Maybe just time to drain and re-fill the rack with fresh PAS fluid, jack up the front wheels and turn the rack lock to lock a few times with the cap off and the engine off. |
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05-23-2012, 09:00 AM
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Thanks for all the great information. I had the time to do real good inspection on the car. I jacked up the front end of the car and checked out the steering linkage and suspension. I found nothing wrong. I rotated the steering left and right and everything worked as advertised. Steering was nice and smooth except the same noise and tension as previously stated in my original post. I could hear the same noise under the hood next to the firewall where the steering shaft comes though. The problem is definitely at the top of the steering column under the steer wheel. I'll have to take the the access covers off and the steering wheel and see what is going on. I have heard there could be a bearing or even a needle bearing that is worn out or coming apart. The binding is getting worse. Not sure if there is a bearing at the bottom of the steering shaft where it comes through the firewall.
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jimmy j |
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05-24-2012, 05:56 PM
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Location: washington state
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I still haven't had the time to take the steering wheel off. The tension has been getting really bad. When I got home from work yesterday, the wheel was loud as ever and getting really hard to turn.
So I get in my car this morning expecting the same problem but it was back to normal. No noise and no tension. The car turned with ease. It's like the problem never existed. I know there is something there but it makes you wonder. Now I'm guessing a needle bearing came loose and got in the way and now it must have fell out of the way or reset itself.
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jimmy j |
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05-30-2012, 03:24 PM
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