[jumpman86]

Hi All,

Does anyone know if the steering click issue mentioned below is covered by CPO?

My dealer said that it may not be covered and will charge me for diagnostic and repair

I read that the CPO covers steering for defects and workmanship issue and I would think noise that is not supposed to be there is a workmanship.

If anyone had this issue fixed before, please let me know if your CPO covers it or share how you approached the dealer to have this fix under warranty.

Thanks for reading and your help.


SI B32 07 06
Steering and Wheel Alignment April 2006
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Steering Column Clicking Noise


MODEL
E90 (3 Series) and E91 (3 Series Sports Wagon) produced up to 11/05


SITUATION
Customer may complain of a slight clicking noise heard, mostly at slow speed, when turning the steering wheel at about 180 degrees.

CAUSE
Steering column manufacturing tolerances stack up.

CORRECTION
In case of a customer complaint, replace the steering column only. Do not replace the steering gear and the steering spindle (lower joint assembly).

The steering column manufacturing process has been improved in 11/05.

PROCEDURE

Replace the steering column per Repair Instructions RA 32 31 090.

Perform steering angle sensor adjustment/calibration per Repair Instructions RA 61 31 996.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Quantity

32 30 6 772 273
Steering Column
1

WARRANTY INFORMATION
For information only

[ Copyright © 2006 BMW of North America, LLC ]

[Ryan323i]

i have this issue but my car is a 4/06 build...hmm. the issue sounds like a defect to me, i don't see why it wouldn't be covered under the CPO warranty. they say that because if they find something wrong that isn't covered, they charge you for the labor of looking into it.

[faz]

This page should have some/enough info to give you an overall idea...

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...y/Default.aspx


let us know how it goes with the dealer.

[jumpman86]

They will cover it if that is the issue.

Just got a called from the dealer and they are saying that the Tech can not hear it and said that the small click is normal when you move the wheel left to right repeated.

I am going to go down and show them and ask to see if another car has the same issue.

I am a bit upset since this did not happen from Day 1 and just developed this noise two - three weeks ago.

[jumpman86]

Got the car back from dealer. He said that it's normal and my car has 60k miles.
The technician did pull the steering apart and did not find anything wrong.

At least it's documented and he didn't charge for diagnostic labor.

Also, the tsb posted above is out of date.

[faz]

Yeah, at least it is documented.

[yamazaho]

My steering wheel has been clicking for maybe over a year now (maybe longer!?!?), and yeah I reported tot he dealer before. And NO they did not fix it back then when the car was under warranty. After all these time I got used to it and say screw it...

[Ryan323i]

My steering wheel used to make a rubbing noise when taking sharp turns. Anyone ever experience that? The dealer lubed up the internal steering wheel column parts and that seemed to work. Now I have the clicking. It's funny how they always say stuff is normal!

[fnckr]

The clicking is not normal. It means that there is some play in the fittings and you hear the click when the play runs out. You may also notice that you can turn the wheel about 1/4' each direction without actually affecting the direction of the front wheels.

I had the same problem but it was covered under regular warranty. This could be a slight safety issue, so I don't see how they can deny it. Regardless, it certainly is a defect as surely BMWs aren't meant to have strange clicks in their steering and loose steering wheels. Complain of a vague on-center feel to them. FYI, me dealer is Paul Miller in Wayne.

[fnckr]

Here's another thread on the problem. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...teering+column

Also, I know for sure, but can't find it now, there is a thread where a member fixes the problem himself by tightening one of the loose fittings. The thread has complete instructions and pictures and cured his problem. Not sure which forum to search but search for steering column and I'm sure you'll get it.

[opaque18]

my steering wheel just started squeeking a couple weeks ago when i turn the wheel. not loud at all but noticable if the radio is off.. but it doesnt happen everyday just every now and then.. no clicking though, good to see it got fixed..

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by opaque18

my steering wheel just started squeeking a couple weeks ago when i turn the wheel. not loud at all but noticable if the radio is off.. but it doesnt happen everyday just every now and then.. no clicking though, good to see it got fixed..

Mine started with a sqeek, then it stopped squeaking, and started clunking. I had my steering column replaced under factory warranty at 46k.

[ska///235i]

I replace that part myself (car is out of warranty), the part is call Coil Spring Cartridge.
1 series, 3 series and X5 uses the same part # and the new one also has a wiring for heated steering wheel. Part is around $150-$200. I was lucky and pick up this part from a local member for $50.

Anyways, I had this slight squeaking sound when turning the wheel and sometimes the clicking sound upon start up. The clicking sound might be related to the steering lock issue. When I took out my steering wheel to retrofit paddle shifting that’s when I discovered the problem. I duplicated the squeaking sound by manually turning the cartridge that’s located in the center. The clicking sound is probably caused when the cartridge spins or trying to adjust.

The dealer fixed the steering lock issue few years back, at the time I thought they replaced the part but I discovered that they just took the thing apart and lubed the cartridge. The service was great over the years but I can’t trust them anymore on these repairs.

[mike3000fl]

its probably your slz steering angle sensor. when it eventually goes out your adaptive headlights will quit turning and the green led on the lightswitch will blink. keep it documented.