Direction creaking

Olive · 30-09-2016, 07:13 PM

Hi guys, maybe somebody already met my trouble.

When the car is cold, no trouble, but after 1 hour of driving, especially with high temperature, the direction become more hard, not "smooth" anymore and on low speed and small virage all the front axle make a big creaking.
This noise stops when I spray some oil on all the silent blocks behind front wheels (direction,stabilizing bar, ...) and come back latter after 30 to 50 minutes.

I first thought the problem came from one of the silent blocks but a friend told me about steering wheel fluid. I checked and the level was quite low, that is right :

I will change the ATF and add more but I really do not think that the problem come from it.

Do you have an idea about the root cause ?

Thanks

phoenixcsl · 03-10-2016, 12:56 PM

It would be worth checking your high pressure power steering hose, they are prone to leak and then split junking all your power steering fluid everywhere.

Mine started to lose power steering fluid a few years back then it split, I had the same issue on my old E46 M3 too, it's a common problem.

It's easy to check if it's leaking:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=252164

Olive · 04-10-2016, 01:43 PM

Hi phoenixcsl

This is a great information ! Helpfull. I do remember to have seen this pieces with oil on it 2 or 3 years ago during inspection...

Do you know the reference of this piece on the ETK ?

Thanks

Olivier

phoenixcsl · 04-10-2016, 05:12 PM

Hey Olivier,

No worries

If it's weeping, it means eventually the hose will split and all of the PS fluid will come out of the car.

I put a new one on mine last year, i'll have a look at my invoices and get the part number.

If I remember correctly, its Part No 3:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_1251

32412282103

Olive · 04-10-2016, 05:34 PM

Thanks. If I remember well, when I was with the mechanic guy he shown me 2 or 3 years ago a weeping tube around this place.
Maybe it was this pieces (I thought about number 12...)

Strange thing is that I NEVER refiled the direction fluid for last 5 years... It seems that liquid gone regarding the level but not anymore. Do you think the remaining qty could generate such a noise and cracking when the direction is hot ?

Monkey · 04-10-2016, 10:02 PM

Looks like your fluid level is still above the minimum, so this is unlikely to be the cause in my opinion.

Those PAS hoses leak all the time, it's not uncommon to replace them under the 2 year parts warranty for leaking. 32.41.2.282.103 is the part number of the high pressure hose, if you're going to replace it anyway it's worth doing that and retesting for the noise. You might get lucky!

30-09-2016, 07:13 PM	#1
Olive S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nice, France Posts: 265 Casino cash: $2223	Direction creaking Hi guys, maybe somebody already met my trouble. When the car is cold, no trouble, but after 1 hour of driving, especially with high temperature, the direction become more hard, not "smooth" anymore and on low speed and small virage all the front axle make a big creaking. This noise stops when I spray some oil on all the silent blocks behind front wheels (direction,stabilizing bar, ...) and come back latter after 30 to 50 minutes. I first thought the problem came from one of the silent blocks but a friend told me about steering wheel fluid. I checked and the level was quite low, that is right : I will change the ATF and add more but I really do not think that the problem come from it. Do you have an idea about the root cause ? Thanks

03-10-2016, 12:56 PM	#2
phoenixcsl S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 634 Casino cash: $4900	It would be worth checking your high pressure power steering hose, they are prone to leak and then split junking all your power steering fluid everywhere. Mine started to lose power steering fluid a few years back then it split, I had the same issue on my old E46 M3 too, it's a common problem. It's easy to check if it's leaking: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=252164

04-10-2016, 01:43 PM	#3
Olive S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nice, France Posts: 265 Casino cash: $2223	Hi phoenixcsl This is a great information ! Helpfull. I do remember to have seen this pieces with oil on it 2 or 3 years ago during inspection... Do you know the reference of this piece on the ETK ? Thanks Olivier

04-10-2016, 05:12 PM	#4
phoenixcsl S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 634 Casino cash: $4900	Hey Olivier, No worries If it's weeping, it means eventually the hose will split and all of the PS fluid will come out of the car. I put a new one on mine last year, i'll have a look at my invoices and get the part number. If I remember correctly, its Part No 3: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_1251 32412282103

04-10-2016, 05:34 PM	#5
Olive S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nice, France Posts: 265 Casino cash: $2223	Thanks. If I remember well, when I was with the mechanic guy he shown me 2 or 3 years ago a weeping tube around this place. Maybe it was this pieces (I thought about number 12...) Strange thing is that I NEVER refiled the direction fluid for last 5 years... It seems that liquid gone regarding the level but not anymore. Do you think the remaining qty could generate such a noise and cracking when the direction is hot ?

04-10-2016, 10:02 PM	#6
Monkey S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: May 2013 Location: Haywards Heath Posts: 266 Casino cash: $7387	Looks like your fluid level is still above the minimum, so this is unlikely to be the cause in my opinion. Those PAS hoses leak all the time, it's not uncommon to replace them under the 2 year parts warranty for leaking. 32.41.2.282.103 is the part number of the high pressure hose, if you're going to replace it anyway it's worth doing that and retesting for the noise. You might get lucky!