[Snaffoo]

For some reason over the last few days every so often my car has had a vibration or knocking feeling and sound when I drive. I can feel it in the steering wheel, but I can feel it in when my foot is on the gas or brake peddal. It's not all the time and it happens at very slow speeds if I go over a bunch of bumps in a row or even at high speeds. If I stop the car and just turn the steering wheel it doesn't happen, and if I bounce the suspension myself, I don't feel anything.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? Steering wheel column? Brakes? Suspension?

[suzer]

Does it seem like it occurs more in warmer weather than cooler?

We're trying to find the source of a vibration/knock/catching feeling in our 335i. I can feel it in the steering wheel and gas pedal, usually at slower speeds, and it comes and goes, but seems to be related to heat.

[Driver72]

I'm not mechanic or tech but here's a few possiblities:

Out of balance wheel?
Warped or out of balance tire?
Bad steering rod?
Bad ball joint?
warped brake rotor?
Lose or bad brake pad?

Just go have it checked out, that's your best bet.

[suzer]

Actually, we've already brought ours in.

We had to cancel the appointment once because the car had quit doing it. Then it came back, and luckily did it for the tech on the test drive. They replaced a leaky thrust bushing, thinking that was the cause. It drove fine for the tech on the after-repair test drive, but it started doing it again on the ride home.

We're going to bring it in again, but it's frustrating for everyone to try and troubleshoot an on-again, off-again problem.

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by suzer

Actually, we've already brought ours in.

We had to cancel the appointment once because the car had quit doing it. Then it came back, and luckily did it for the tech on the test drive. They replaced a leaky thrust bushing, thinking that was the cause. It drove fine for the tech on the after-repair test drive, but it started doing it again on the ride home.

We're going to bring it in again, but it's frustrating for everyone to try and troubleshoot an on-again, off-again problem.

Ain't that the truth.
Murphy's Law...it will always work perfectly fine when you need to show a professional how it is not working correctly!

[GJR]

I have a slight knocking feeling sometimes in the steering wheel at low speeds as well. It's going to be very difficult to reproduce it for the service advisor though.

[Snaffoo]

Ya, it does seem to come at lower speeds and after I have been driving for a while, so maybe it is related to heat. I too took it to the dealer over the weekend and they had no idea. Could be the steering column (though it doesn't happen when I am stopped and just turn the wheel. He did say that one of the control arms had a bit of play, but said that shouldn't cause it. But can it? If it is the alignment/wheel balancing, which could be as I have never had it checked, would the knocking be noticable at low speeds like 30mph as it is?

[Snaffoo]

Sorry, i should also have said, it seems the car now get pulled more by the road bumps and ridges. Now it might be me just being paranoid cause this other problem, but should the car do this or is it just the sports suspension and I am just noticing it more now?

[GEARS5]

I am having the exact same problem. Over certain bumps at low speeds it feels like something is loose through the steering wheel. It started about 11,000 miles. I have had the wheels balanced and that didn't work. Brought it into the dealer and they couldn't duplicate it. They said nothing was loose either.

It is very intermittent and annoying.

[achien]

Did you check your tire pressure?

Take it back to the dealer to be safe.

[DasBlitz]

My car did this just yesterday. It may be an annoyance. But I had my first service done at the dealer a week or two ago. They said nothing was wrong with the vehicle at all.

I bring it in again this week due to the AC being broken. They will most likely run the car and such so see if they say anything.

[GEARS5]

I have played with different tire pressures. I even switched to Non Run Flats due to tire noise at 10K miles. The knocking persists.

[akemb]

I just took delivery of my AW 335xi last weekend. ^_^ So cool and excited except for the fact that on my way home ran into a small bump nothing major and then I heard this exact knocking as if something on the right front wheel or tire is knocking against something. Like you guys said it only happens at low speeds like when going over speed bumps and also it comes and goes as it pleases. It is very annoying not knowing what is wrong. Anyone know what is the cause??? Please help out a fellow mate. Thanks.

[sandeep]

Same here..its as if there is some metal object bouncing up and down in some compartment in the front...I checked everything and couldn't figure it out. And yes, it is more noticable at low speeds and yes it was pretty hot outside yesterday, though I wonder what would temperature have to do with it... Please update this thread if anyone finds what it is and where it is coming from.

[Crazy Bimmer]

Anyone get any updates? Im having the same issue now.

[picus]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Anyone get any updates? Im having the same issue now.

Interesting. So am I. It just started today. Low speeds, doesn't need to be over bumps or turning, just a light thumping noise from the front of the car at low speeds. It's actually pretty constant. It happened when the car was cold and warm though.

[Crazy Bimmer]

^ Im taking it to the dealer in a few weeks. Hope im able to duplicate the sound while we go for a test run with the tech.

[RktWgn]

Exact same symptoms as many of you in our E92. Going to take it in to see if they can figure it out...

[RktWgn]

So, guess what the dealer told me the problem was...

The original selling dealer failed to remove the "tie-down blocks" from the front suspension when the car was PDI'ed. They're apparently plastic "blocks" located around the front control arms that start moving around and knocking into stuff if not removed as intended. I don't have any pictures but this may give you guys an idea of what to look for.

[chill022]

If a shipping blocks is left in the front suspension, can you see it by simply looking under the wheel well or do you have to raise the car first?

I have a similar 'loose knock' feeling transmitted through the steering wheel as everybody else here, but I cannot see anything that looks out of place near the shock.

[bubbletea 4 me]

im having the same knocking problem now. i think it started when i went over an uneven road a bit hard. now i notice the knocking alot more than when i first got the car. i think i'll take it to the dealer this week to get it checked out. however, from what everyone here has said, it doesnt seem like there is a solution.

anyone has any new updates or solutions with this?

[bubbletea 4 me]

no one has similar issue or any advise on resolution? any help is appreciated. want to take it in to the dealership to get it checked out but would like to know more about it before i go in.