Steering Wheel - Vibration at Idle

GROUP 32
Steering and Wheel Alignment

32 53 00

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
June 2001
Service Engineering

This Service Information bulletins supersedes S.I. 32 53 00 dated December 2000.

SUBJECT
Steering Wheel Vibration at Idle

MODEL
E53 X5 3.0 (M54) with automatic transmission

SITUATION
A vibration may be felt in the steering wheel of X5 3.0 vehicles (with automatic transmissions) produced before 5/2001, with the engine at operating temperature, transmission in gear (D or R) and the air conditioning switched on.

CAUSE
Engine vibrations are transmitted to the steering wheel via the steering column which are best felt under the above outlined conditions.

CORRECTION
A steering wheel vibration absorber was phased into production 5/2001 on all X5 3.0 (M54) vehicles with automatic transmissions.

X5 3.0 vehicles with automatic transmission produced prior to 5/2001:

On a customer complaint basis only and after the above described situation is verified, install a vibration absorber BMW part number 32 31 6 754 611 on the steering column and a new / modified lower steering column cover BMW part number 32 30 6 757 671 to reduce the steering wheel vibration.

PROCEDURE

1. Remove the lower steering column cover as outlined in the X repair manual group 32, section 32 31 020.





2. Remove torx bolt (1) and install vibration absorber (2) part number 32 31 6 754 611 as shown in the illustration.

Bolt torque = 10 Nm (71b.ft.)

Installation note:
With the vibration absorber installed assure that the wire harness is not touching the absorber since this will impair the vibration damping affect.

3. Install the new lower steering column cover part number 32 30 6 757 671.





PARTS INFORMATION





WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.





DISCLAIMER