Turning Wheels Makes Weird Noise - BMW Forum

LivinFast67 · 09-30-2004, 09:38 PM

i get in my car in the morning, turn it on, starts up fine. and i go to turn my wheels all the way to the left to turn around in my driveway. and when i turn the wheel it makes a god awfull almost intermitant grinding noise. it only does it when turning around in my driveway, after i've driven down the hill and gotten to the school parking lot and park ther is no noise. my front right shock mount is broken, but the left isn't, and i don't think it's what the noise is. is it bearings?

bitcore · 10-01-2004, 02:59 PM

Belt slipping is my guess. You should try to avoid turning the wheel ALL THE WAY since it puts lots of stress on the power steering pump. I always turn it all the way and imediately back off about 20-30 degrees so not to wear down my belt\pump or cause any excess stress in the system.

Uhm, I'd go get that mount fixed regardless of your squeeling noise.

bmw323inewbie · 10-01-2004, 03:40 PM

i get the same, I have 17" (spoke) M3 replica's on mine (E36 323i) and wondered if it was the wheel size, backing off from full lock i what I (try) to do .....

bitcore · 10-01-2004, 04:37 PM

Wheel size shouldn't have anything to do with it unless your wheels\tires are rubbing, in which case, you'd definately know.

97alpineM3 · 10-01-2004, 07:34 PM

There might be a few things that migth cause this.... first off..

Check your fluid level.... if low.. fill...

Next.. if it was low.. check the res. for leaks... around the two hoses coming from the bottom of the resevoir.. there are two clamps.. make sure they are tight.. if not.. take them off... and replace with a screw clamp... you can get them at any auto store...

Next.. make sure your using the right fluid.. I put power steering fluid in my resevoir once... it actually takes ATF fluid.. from my best guess the power steering fluid was boiling over... cause a low amount of fluid... if this is your case.. drain.. flush.. and then replace with ATF fluid... check the cap of the resevoir for the type of fluid.. or the owners manual.

Next there is a line running from your pump to your P/S rack.. make sure those fittings are secure and tight... if not.. replace.. then there is a line running from your rack to the resevoir... that should be previously checked... from above.. then from the resevoir to the pump.. check the pump end of that hose...

Reason for the checks... if you have a lose of PS fluid.. you will get a grinding...

Next; this might take a while.. but take the belt off that drives the power steering pump... then see how well the pulley actually turns with out the pressure of the thight belt on there... you might have some bearings in the pulley that are shot... this would make it rather hard for your belts to turn it.. when they were cold.. this would cause the noise... if all of these things dont point to a solution.. I'd start looking at finding exactly where that noise is...

Best way to do that.... is the lay under the car.. stay clear of the wheel.. have someone start the car.. turn the wheel from left to right.. full extension and take a long screw driver... or better yet.. a long long wrench.. if you have it.. and place it around the sound of the noise.. and place it to your ear... find where that sound is coming from... then work from there...

Good Luck..

Les