Grinding noise on full lock

[leicesterboy15]

Hi All

I've finally sorted my wobble by getting all wheels balanced, 2 new front tyres and wheel alignment (as well as new upper and lower arms, sway bar links and tie rods!)

Now I'm getting a grinding noise on full lock. Its only when I am turning left on full lock (right on full lock is fine) and anything other than full lock is also fine. I've looked for any rubbing but can't see any, nothing has changed really to cause this, it started before I changed the tyres and got the alignment done and it only started happening a few weeks after the arms were replaced.

Are there any suggestions as to what it might be? It sounds like a wheel bearing but there's no noise when driving normally. Could it be bad sway bar links? As I was doing the lower arms I didn't remove the (new) links so they were getting stretched and moved about a bit, could they cause this? Or could an incorrectly installed arm cause this?

[Jeff N.]

Do you have oversized tyres? Look for rubbing on the inner fender well, behind the tyre, on or around the front sway bar.

[Tiger]

Pull wheel off to see if any gringing on inner wheel side. If not, I'd suspect your tie-rod is bent.

[EngPhys09]

Is it in your power steering system? It's not the belt slipping on the pully is it. Or is it distinctly tire rubbing?

[whiskychaser]

A bit off the wall, but if you have air in your system the pump may cavitate and make heck of a row. Worth a look?

[e34.535i.sport]

I had a noise when turning on full lock a while back when i changed the lower control arms. Did you torque the pivot bolt under load? I did but somehow ended up with a noise (seemed like a creak or groan to me) when on full lock right... I undone the pivot bolt, took the bush end out and replaced it all and torqued it back up... Noise disappeared. Worth a look?!

Hope you find the problem and its an easy fix... Keep us informed!

[leicesterboy15]

Well I had a look last night while a friend was turning the wheel and the whole front creaks as you turn the wheel, I couldn't quite make out where it was coming from but was definitely a mechanical component (not the pump), I'm wondering whether I should just replace all other steering components down there as well. What else is there (i've heard the pitman arm and idler arm?)?

It also looked like the grinding noise had turned into a squeaking noise (possibly due to the rain) and seemed like it was coming from the front left not front right, it looked like the tyre was rubbing against the strut at the top where the strut sort of starts to branch out. Although I think this may be a different noise and the rain had masked the other noise as the right side was totally quiet (apart from said creaking).

The lower arms were done under load but re-seating them is worth a shot (weather permitting!!). Its funny the PAS pump has been identified because I do have the odd steering problem where the steering gets heavy for a bit like its still PAS but less. I thought maybe it gets less assisted at speed and aspeed sensor had gone so it thought I was going faster than I was hence the heaver steering. Is that a load of rubbish? It also jerks sometimes when turning, hesitates for a bit then carries on as normal - only occasional. Also if I pull out of a side road quickly the steering feels reluctant to move quickly for a split second, doesn't inspire confidence! Is there anything to go inside a PAS pump? Could this be related to Self levelling suspension? Will this ever end? Maybe I should have kept my 535i....

I would just take it to a garage and get the front set up and steering sorted once and for all but I can't find one worth their salt or one who knows anything about e34s. If I take it to a garage that doesn't knows these cars they are just going to do what I would do and not add anything extra by way of experience. One garage even said to me they would do the MOT but not go near that engine! Even some of those that call themselves BMW specialists only do so because they can charge more than your usual mechanic as long as they charge less than the dealer - and they still know nothing! Anyone know of any decent garages in the south east or south west london?

[Ferret]

There's an excellent guy up in Reading - though there are some things they wont touch (like gearboxes.) He's one of these 'been in the game for years, has bits of bmws everywhere' types. Last time I went in there they were putting a v12 6.0 into a modern 5'er - so they're not afraid of certain jobs it would seem.

I think that the PAS pump juddering at low engine speeds is a sign that the belt is about to go out/your fluid needs changing...

The v8s idle so low that they have trouble keeping the alternator and PAS kicking over - I wouldnt worry about it. I do know that my 540 belt is on the way out though - if you drive through a lot of standing water it starts squealing

If you want the number of this garage give me a shout and I'll look it up for you.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that if I bring the clutch out and yank the steering wheel at the same time, I get a complete engine stall! Managed to do it this morning on the way to work

[Tiger]

I would change out all the steering components... I recently bought the entire thing... and it was like only $160... a bit more for the Lemforder.

Creaking is usually dry ball joints... so yes, you gotta change them and the steering wheel would be much lighter after it is all changed.

[Ross]

It could be the top strut mount also.