[M3&CLK55]

Originally Posted by adykahung

my symptom is similar to yours, i may need to find my mechanic and see what he said. if that's really trail arm bushing, is it necessary to repair it immedicately? also, how much you pay for the repair? Thanks

I asked my mechanic to sit in my car and listen to the noise, he told me it is caused by the bushing. but you will never know. My mechanic told me, it is ok to drive the car for a while. it does not have to be replaced right away.i am planning to get it done by next month, as soon as i get it done i will let you know the cost.

p.s i had replaced my P/S pump 40k miles ago and p/s high pressure hose 500 miles ago, so i am pretty sure it is not cause by failing p/s pump.

[///M3-QTR]

Have you ever changed the differential fluid ?

[325prada]

Sounds like a fcab. More specifically the front right. Especially if you have headers...mine vibrates against the headers everytime I enter long left sweeping turns.

[adykahung]

i changed my diff oil about half year before, and the wried noise is not from rear. is from the front end.

Originally Posted by ///M3-QTR

Have you ever changed the differential fluid ?

[adykahung]

how can i check my FCAB? do i need to take off my wheels? can i check it on a ramp?

Originally Posted by 325prada

Sounds like a fcab. More specifically the front right. Especially if you have headers...mine vibrates against the headers everytime I enter long left sweeping turns.

[adykahung]

Thanks for your advice, i will check my P/S fluid level and any leak. please keep me update on your repair.

Originally Posted by M3&CLK55

I asked my mechanic to sit in my car and listen to the noise, he told me it is caused by the bushing. but you will never know. My mechanic told me, it is ok to drive the car for a while. it does not have to be replaced right away.i am planning to get it done by next month, as soon as i get it done i will let you know the cost.

p.s i had replaced my P/S pump 40k miles ago and p/s high pressure hose 500 miles ago, so i am pretty sure it is not cause by failing p/s pump.

[EYEHAVEYOU]

I had knocking/creaking noise from the steering wheel when doing tight turns. I could not replicate the sound turning the wheel at a stop.

Flushing my power steering fluid solved it for me.

[adykahung]

i did some research on P/S flush and i find this DIY as reference. here is the link. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=696928
when i go through the DIY steps, until step 19, i need to trun my steering wheel when my car is off. i found my steering wheel is hard to turn, i turn my key to position 2 already without turn on the car as mention on DIY. and i barely can turn my steering wheel from 12 o'clock position to 2 o'clock position. i can not make a full turn, is it normal? how can i turn the wheel from lock to lock position withour turn on the car?

Originally Posted by EYEHAVEYOU

I had knocking/creaking noise from the steering wheel when doing tight turns. I could not replicate the sound turning the wheel at a stop.

Flushing my power steering fluid solved it for me.

[EYEHAVEYOU]

Originally Posted by adykahung

i did some research on P/S flush and i find this DIY as reference. here is the link. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=696928
when i go through the DIY steps, until step 19, i need to trun my steering wheel when my car is off. i found my steering wheel is hard to turn, i turn my key to position 2 already without turn on the car as mention on DIY. and i barely can turn my steering wheel from 12 o'clock position to 2 o'clock position. i can not make a full turn, is it normal? how can i turn the wheel from lock to lock position withour turn on the car?

I followed parts of that DIY as well, but I didn't remove the airbox (it was a tight fit to the resevoir cap, but definitely do-able). I also tried turning the wheel with the engine off and had a lot of difficulty. I eventually just started the car and turned the wheel, I didn't encounter any problems. I did this with the resevoir cap off and went back and forth to lock several times - repeated each time I drained the reservoir. Hope this helps.

FYI you're probably aware of this already, but you can't use power steering fluid, you need to use ATF (it should say ATF only on the cap). Just a reminder to you or anyone else who has similar symptoms.

[adykahung]

yes, i am able to reach the resevoir without removing the air box, i found a photo that the fitting is really close to a belt, i may just do "simple flush", here is "simple flush" reference. http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/power_steering_flush/ i am afraid to contaminate the belt when i drain from the fitting. i think repeat the "simple flsuh" for 2 quarts of fluid should be enough to change majority of the fluid? or should i repeat more?

also i am planing to use Pentosin CHF 11S Power Steering Fluid, i think it is remmended by many m3forum fellows.

if i change the power strreting flsuh and still can not solve the wried noise, then i may need to check my FCAB.

Originally Posted by EYEHAVEYOU

I followed parts of that DIY as well, but I didn't remove the airbox (it was a tight fit to the resevoir cap, but definitely do-able). I also tried turning the wheel with the engine off and had a lot of difficulty. I eventually just started the car and turned the wheel, I didn't encounter any problems. I did this with the resevoir cap off and went back and forth to lock several times - repeated each time I drained the reservoir. Hope this helps.

FYI you're probably aware of this already, but you can't use power steering fluid, you need to use ATF (it should say ATF only on the cap). Just a reminder to you or anyone else who has similar symptoms.