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      11-12-2014, 10:31 AM   #1
DrVolkl
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Weird noise coming from the front?

I'm getting this weird "noise" coming from somewhere in front of my steering wheel... it only happens as I'm going over bumps or the vehicle is shifting as driving... sounds like a loose bolt or something, that's the best I can describe it... I feel like it's coming from inside the dash... popping the hood I can't find anything loose...

Are there steering column issues in this car? I have no other symptoms, car drives fine... just an unsettling noise, as if something might let go at any time.
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      11-12-2014, 11:43 AM   #2
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I would be willing to be it is coming from the under hood strut supports. Tighten the 2 nuts at the firewall. They won't feel loose by hand but you will be able to tighten them with a wrench. I had this issue when I bought my car in 09. I tightened them at that time and it has never returned.
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      11-12-2014, 01:12 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
I would be willing to be it is coming from the under hood strut supports. Tighten the 2 nuts at the firewall. They won't feel loose by hand but you will be able to tighten them with a wrench. I had this issue when I bought my car in 09. I tightened them at that time and it has never returned.
Ok... that's an interesting thought. I'll give that a try... it's a weird clunky noise, would make sense if the hood strut is moving slightly.... I was looking along the firewall for anything...
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      11-12-2014, 02:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
I would be willing to be it is coming from the under hood strut supports. Tighten the 2 nuts at the firewall. They won't feel loose by hand but you will be able to tighten them with a wrench. I had this issue when I bought my car in 09. I tightened them at that time and it has never returned.
I agree. Had the same problem when I bought my '06 3.0si Roadie.
Tighten those bolts to 30 lb/feet.
Problem has not returned.
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      11-12-2014, 02:58 PM   #5
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Hope it's just the bolts. I had the same issue and turned out the brace had broken off the strut tower.
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      11-12-2014, 03:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
Hope it's just the bolts. I had the same issue and turned out the brace had broken off the strut tower.
I grabbed all the braces and stuff and everything was tight... I'm hoping it's the bolt... it does sound like it's coming from that area...
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      11-12-2014, 06:25 PM   #7
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Tighten it with a ratchet. I've had this happen on three separate Z4's.
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      11-13-2014, 11:03 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrVolkl View Post
I grabbed all the braces and stuff and everything was tight... I'm hoping it's the bolt... it does sound like it's coming from that area...
Like I said- you won't be able to feel it by touch. I bet you will be able to tighten the nuts slightly as I was able to do. The noise will be gone afterwards. It wouldn't seem such a minor thing could make a noise like this, but it does...
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      11-13-2014, 05:49 PM   #9
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I actually have this same noise. Interesting, going to try tightening the nuts also.
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      11-13-2014, 06:55 PM   #10
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Note that these must be torqued to spec. I don't recall the exact numbers but there must be somewhere on the forum.

Edit: Here ya go: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1056166

Edit 2: I now see that Lance already covered that!
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      11-13-2014, 07:36 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
Note that these must be torqued to spec. I don't recall the exact numbers but there must be somewhere on the forum.

Edit: Here ya go: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1056166

Edit 2: I now see that Lance already covered that!
As I don't have a torque wrench I just used a box wrench to tighten them. Didn't go crazy, just decently tight "to me". No issues since.
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      11-13-2014, 11:18 PM   #12
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I had the exact same issue. I told my mechanic about the noise when the car was in the shop and he pinpointed the cause to the strut bolts. I guess it's one of those things you have to keep an eye on.
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      11-18-2014, 04:11 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funkle View Post
I had the exact same issue. I told my mechanic about the noise when the car was in the shop and he pinpointed the cause to the strut bolts. I guess it's one of those things you have to keep an eye on.
Well, I tightened them up... I think... I didn't drive the car today, but I can't believe that's the cause.. I'll find out tomorrow when I take her for a spin. I feel like it's somewhere else...closer to the firewall.

Huh...after re-reading this I think I tightened the wrong bolts lol. Ok, let me try this again.... I don't have to remove anything to get at the bolts do I?
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      11-18-2014, 04:33 PM   #14
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2 bolts at the leading edge of the firewall dead centre and 1 more on top of each strut tower.

I had a "knocking noise" like you describe and it was the anti roll bar end links that were loose.
I had however just replaced those and not torqued them completely
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      11-20-2014, 10:25 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrVolkl View Post
Well, I tightened them up... I think... I didn't drive the car today, but I can't believe that's the cause.. I'll find out tomorrow when I take her for a spin. I feel like it's somewhere else...closer to the firewall.

Huh...after re-reading this I think I tightened the wrong bolts lol. Ok, let me try this again.... I don't have to remove anything to get at the bolts do I?
Nope they are completely exposed. Takes 30 seconds to tighten them. It sounds like it is inside the dash when inside the car. I was surprised it sorted it as well.
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      11-20-2014, 12:36 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
Nope they are completely exposed. Takes 30 seconds to tighten them. It sounds like it is inside the dash when inside the car. I was surprised it sorted it as well.
Yeah, so I checked those bolts on the strut bars... they're on their tight... no movement with a wrench.

It's something closer to the steering wheel/firewall area. Ugh... I wish I had time to get under the car/etc just don't right now. About to leave it with a mechanic.
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