Metal Grinding Sound when Turning Steering Wheel

barracuda4 · 07-26-2019, 09:17 PM

Whenever I turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or the right, I begin to hear this metal grinding sound which has been concerning me.

It won't happen unless the wheel is turned all the way to one side as far as it can go, and then when the car turns I hear a sound that sounds like metal pieces grinding together.

Does anyone know how I can make this metal grinding noise go away? Does it have anything to do with the power steering fluid? Thanks for any help.

Car is an e90

Efthreeoh · 07-27-2019, 04:34 AM

It's at full lock, so that sound is normal. If it is loud then check the power steering fluid level.

Tambohamilton · 07-27-2019, 04:41 AM

Check and maybe replace the PS fluid. And don't hold the steering against full lock continuously - it just causes the PS rack and pump to force the rack against its stop at full pressure.

NasriHash · 07-27-2019, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Check and maybe replace the PS fluid. And don't hold the steering against full lock continuously - it just causes the PS rack and pump to force the rack against its stop at full pressure.

+1

Efthreeoh · 07-27-2019, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Check and maybe replace the PS fluid. And don't hold the steering against full lock continuously - it just causes the PS rack and pump to force the rack against its stop at full pressure.

Why replace the PS fluid?

Tambohamilton · 07-27-2019, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Why replace the PS fluid?

Same reason you'd replace transmission fluid...

Efthreeoh · 07-27-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Same reason you'd replace transmission fluid...

which is?

Tambohamilton · 07-27-2019, 08:10 AM

So it's clean; any contaminants or abrasive particles are removed. I feel like the viscosity of old fluid (or some other non-visual property) also changes/degrades, so new fluid should restore full lubricity and performance...not got the time to properly research it right now.

I didn't have a grinding noise like the OP, but new fluid made a huge difference to the groaning noise mine was making when turning the steering with the engine on idle. Replacing the reservoir almost completely solved it, for now... Eventually I'll need to replace the pump and/or rack.

07-26-2019, 09:17 PM	#1
barracuda4 New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 550i, Merc SL 550, Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Metal Grinding Sound when Turning Steering Wheel Whenever I turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or the right, I begin to hear this metal grinding sound which has been concerning me. It won't happen unless the wheel is turned all the way to one side as far as it can go, and then when the car turns I hear a sound that sounds like metal pieces grinding together. Does anyone know how I can make this metal grinding noise go away? Does it have anything to do with the power steering fluid? Thanks for any help. Car is an e90 Last edited by barracuda4; 07-27-2019 at 12:59 AM..
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07-27-2019, 04:34 AM	#2
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	It's at full lock, so that sound is normal. If it is loud then check the power steering fluid level.
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07-27-2019, 04:41 AM	#3
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,910 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Check and maybe replace the PS fluid. And don't hold the steering against full lock continuously - it just causes the PS rack and pump to force the rack against its stop at full pressure.
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07-27-2019, 08:10 AM	#8
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,910 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	So it's clean; any contaminants or abrasive particles are removed. I feel like the viscosity of old fluid (or some other non-visual property) also changes/degrades, so new fluid should restore full lubricity and performance...not got the time to properly research it right now. I didn't have a grinding noise like the OP, but new fluid made a huge difference to the groaning noise mine was making when turning the steering with the engine on idle. Replacing the reservoir almost completely solved it, for now... Eventually I'll need to replace the pump and/or rack.
	Appreciate 0 Quote