New tie rods at 40,000 :(

Can't believe I need new tie rods. Just turned 40k on the Pirelli run flats. Getting new tires and that's not cheap.

wavewuver, was the replacement tie rods requried due to damage or wear?

Is BMW covering this? Did you know they were going bad (knocking noise when turning)?

The repair will be performed next week. I believe it will be covered under warranty. I will find out if it was wear or damage. If it's wear, I'll be disappointed. I'll update this thread next week.

When the X3 was not running, I noticed a loud clunking sound when I turned the steering wheel back and forth. Doesn't seem to make the noise while driving.

So far, the X3 still in the shop. New tie rods, and a steering rack and I think he said half shafts too. Hope that fixes the problem......

Geesh! Keep us posted!

Finally got the X3 repaired. BMW thought it was a tie rod but that didn't fix the problem. Then they replaced the lower steering shaft and that wasn't it. They concluded the noise was from the steering rack and they replaced that. Afterwards, they did a complete 4 wheel alignment.

They also finally got rid of my squealing window by replacing the rubber gasket.

They also finally replaced my front brake pads to get rid of a low speed high pitch squeal. Very embarrassing while creeping along the drive-thru line for coffee

Got 4 new tires mounted also. Got 40K off the original run flats. Bought the tires from tire rack (saved lots) and had BMW mount them.

All seems well now, but I have to say my confidence in the X3 has gone way way down.

I wouldn't lose faith yet! The steering rack is more of a condemnation on the lack of maintenance BMW now recommends. The power steering fluid should be changed every 2 years or 30k miles as was recommended by BMW in the 90s pre the free maintenance program.

Squealing brakes and windows happen, at any time to any make or model. Just be glad it was under warranty. We can all probably come up with personal examples on both that happened at 1,000 miles and cars where never had a problem in 100,000. I know I can.

My 09 x3 just hit 100k miles and has been the most reliable and comfortable super commuter I have ever owned. By following old school maintenance since new I plan on getting 300k miles out of it.

Not so fast... others have been dealing with this same issue. I'm going to ask the dealer about it again next time I go in. It sounds like there is no real fix yet (even replacing the steering rack might not solve the problem).

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690100

Originally Posted by x3brian

I wouldn't lose faith yet! The steering rack is more of a condemnation on the lack of maintenance BMW now recommends. The power steering fluid should be changed every 2 years or 30k miles as was recommended by BMW in the 90s pre the free maintenance program.

Squealing brakes and windows happen, at any time to any make or model. Just be glad it was under warranty. We can all probably come up with personal examples on both that happened at 1,000 miles and cars where never had a problem in 100,000. I know I can.

My 09 x3 just hit 100k miles and has been the most reliable and comfortable super commuter I have ever owned. By following old school maintenance since new I plan on getting 300k miles out of it.

The new X3's no longer have the traditional hydraulic power steering. It's now electric so there is no fluid to change.

Originally Posted by wavewuver

Finally got the X3 repaired. BMW thought it was a tie rod but that didn't fix the problem. Then they replaced the lower steering shaft and that wasn't it. They concluded the noise was from the steering rack and they replaced that. Afterwards, they did a complete 4 wheel alignment.

They also finally got rid of my squealing window by replacing the rubber gasket.

They also finally replaced my front brake pads to get rid of a low speed high pitch squeal. Very embarrassing while creeping along the drive-thru line for coffee

Got 4 new tires mounted also. Got 40K off the original run flats. Bought the tires from tire rack (saved lots) and had BMW mount them.

All seems well now, but I have to say my confidence in the X3 has gone way way down.

wow good to know the original tires can last 40K, what brand of tires did your x3 come with?
Does BMW charge fees for mounting the tires?

Originally Posted by wavewuver

The new X3's no longer have the traditional hydraulic power steering. It's now electric so there is no fluid to change.

Extremely valid point! I completely forgot about that change on the models with the n52 motor.

In that case I would be a bit concerned myself. Have you heard any other chatter on the F30/f10 forums about steering rack failure? I did a quick google search and not much popped up, but that could be more a factor of age and miles driven on that model.

Originally Posted by edbiology

wow good to know the original tires can last 40K, what brand of tires did your x3 come with?
Does BMW charge fees for mounting the tires?

My X3 came with Pirelli P7's. I was happy with them and bought 4 more and had BMW mount them. There is a mounting charge.