Creaking
Asked by coakes May 13, 2013 at 07:17 PM about the 2004 BMW 3 Series 325xi Sedan AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2004 325xi with 47k miles... I'm hearing a loud creaking when turning the wheel right.. Sounds like it's the driver side... About a year ago I had it at the BMW dealership for routine maintenance and the service department told me both outer cv boots were cracked badly and the left hand side inner cv boot was leaking... They replaced all 3 boots at a cost of $1400+. It was not recommended I replace the axles, cv joints or the right side inner boot per the invoice. Does this sound like a boot issue again? Should the axles and/or cv joints have been replaced when the boots were replaced?
6 Answers
operator_13 answered 10 years ago
the steering box is attatched to cracked steel....get it welded~
operator_13 answered 10 years ago
creaking captain? had this happen on my Mercedes 230S...cracked weld near the high concentration of torque from steering rack or box....still forces unchecked will crack this frame~ (or uni)
Find a good "Indy" independent garage in your area,they can save you tons of $$$ compared to dealers.
reverend1735 answered 10 years ago
had the same problem with my truck.. More than likely it's either a ball joint or the control arm bushing.. The best thing for you to do would be to take it to the garage and have those checked before the steering of one of the front wheels goes out on you while driving down the road.
Yeh, you realy need to find a beter garage, even if you have to travel. The dealer will totally rape you which it sounds like they did. A good mechanic can change out CV boots in a couple hours max, that shoulda been a $600 job at most. BMW charges $180/hr for a master mechanic in my area, I have an independant guy who charges $80/hr and he's probobly a beter mechanic. He'll also recommend after market stuff that's just as good and cheaper. Ask around online at your local chapter of BMWCCA BMW Car Club of America or E46 Fanatics to find a good mechanic, they will probobly be involved in a team or something in your area. Your problem aint the creak (That's probobly a stearing shaft outta wack thing), its the mechanic...
