BMW 325xi Steering wheel feels loose Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(71)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(71)

Steering wheel feels loose Inspection Service

How much does a Steering wheel feels loose Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 325xi Steering wheel feels loose Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2003 BMW 325xiL6-2.5LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.49 - $145.62
2001 BMW 325xiL6-2.5LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2004 BMW 325xiL6-2.5LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2002 BMW 325xiL6-2.5LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.48 - $125.60
2006 BMW 325xiL6-3.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.55 - $125.72
2005 BMW 325xiL6-2.5LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
Show example BMW 325xi Steering wheel feels loose Inspection prices

A steering wheel that feels loose or has “play” in it prevents the driver form getting an accurate interpretation of how the wheels are turned. Any steering setup where you can move the wheel more than one to one and a half inches without moving the wheels is too lose and may have an issue. When the steering wheel feels loose it can be difficult from drivers to accurately know the position of the front wheels. This lack of responsiveness can be dangerous for drivers, especially in heavy traffic or winding roads.

How this system works:

The majority of modern vehicles use two different kinds of steering setup to help control the movement of the car. Rack and pinion steering is typically used on cars, small trucks and SUVs, while recirculating-ball steering is used on large SUVs and trucks. The similarities and differences in the two systems begin to manifest themselves when components fail, causing the steering wheel to feel loose.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Worn Tie Rods: Tie rods serve as the driver’s connection between the steering unit and the tires. Tie rods are present in both rack and pinion and recirculating ball setups. If tie rod ends become worn, they may cause the steering wheel to feel loose. A vehicle with worn tie rods may also squeak as the steering wheel is turned and be out of alignment.

  • Worn Pitman Arm: A pitman arm is only present in vehicles with recirculating-ball steering. The pitman arm connects a gear attached to the steering wheel to the steering rack itself. When the pitman arm becomes worn or the teeth in the gear connecting the pitman arm begin to slip, it can cause the steering wheel to feel loose.

  • Worn Ball Joint: Ball joints connect the vehicle’s wheel hubs to the rest of the suspension components. Depending on the vehicle, one or two ball joints per wheel and may or may not be load bearing. A ball joint that is worn may cause the steering to feel loose and may also create a banging sound, especially when going over bumps.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason for the loose-feeling steering. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining the reason for the loose steering and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.

How it's done:

When the mechanic arrives, he or she will first lift the vehicle and remove the wheels so that they can better access the suspension and steering components. From here, the mechanic will be able to assess the reason why the steering has become loose.

If the mechanic suspects that worn tie rods may be the issue, he or she will inspect the tie rod for superficial damage. If the tie rod end had become worn or loose, the mechanic will remove it and replace it with a new one. The mechanic will also ensure after installation, that the new tie rod end is properly lubricated.

If the mechanic believes that the pitman arm has become worn, he or she will remove the pitman arm from the track bar and replace it with a new pitman arm. The mechanic should ensure that the new part is properly tightened.

If the mechanic suspects worn ball joints, he or she will remove the control arm(s) in order to access the faulty ball joint. He or she will then remove the old ball joint and replace it with a new one. The mechanic should also ensure that the new ball joint is properly lubricated in order to ensure longer life.

In the case of all repairs the mechanic will make sure that all the new parts have been installed correctly and are properly lubricated. In order to ensure that the steering is working properly, the mechanic may test drive the vehicle to check for excess play.

How important is this service?

A steering wheel that feels loose may not be giving an accurate indication of the front wheel’s position. Loose-feeling steering may also indicate that a problem has occurred with the steering unit or suspension. If you notice that the steering does not seem to be as responsive, you should stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected by a mechanic.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(71)

Rating Summary
63
3
1
0
4
63
3
1
0
4

Mahdi

10 years of experience
94 reviews
Mahdi
10 years of experience
BMW 325xi L6-2.5L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Buford, Georgia
Overall a good experience, and I will use YourMechanic again.

Joshua

27 years of experience
709 reviews
Joshua
27 years of experience
BMW 325xi L6-3.0L - Car overheats quickly - Oakland, California
On time and very knowledgable

Enrique

21 years of experience
244 reviews
Enrique
21 years of experience
BMW 325xi L6-2.5L - Oil Change - Kissimmee, Florida
Very kind and answered all our questions.

Casey

24 years of experience
152 reviews
Casey
24 years of experience
BMW 325xi L6-2.5L - Oil Change - Woodinville, Washington
Provided honest feedback, friendly and courteous.

Excellent Rating

(71)

Rating Summary
63
3
1
0
4
63
3
1
0
4
Number of BMW 325xi services completed
781+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

What Are the Benefits of Having an Engine Rebuilt Instead of Replaced?
Rebuilding a damaged engine may be a more economical option than full replacement. In an engine rebuild bearings, gaskets, and seals are replaced.
5 Essential Things to Know About Driving Etiquette
Driving Driving etiquette, the name given to the courtesies that drivers are expected to show to others on the road, can make a huge impact on everyone’s overall happiness while driving. Whether you’re often on the receiving end of a...
Minnesota Parking Laws: Understanding the Basics
Knowing Knowing how and where to park legally in Minnesota is just as important as knowing the rules of being on the road, such as the speed limits and proper signaling and lane changing procedures. If you park in the...

Loud chatter at idle only

Hello, thanks for writing in. If the flexplate was changed within the last year, then I would usually start by isolating that area of the noise. This noise can occur if the bolts are coming loose. If they are fine...

What causes my vehicle to vibrate and stall out while driving?

Hi there. This sounds like there is a major vacuum hose or line that split or came off while you were driving the vehicle. Check the engine compartment for any vacuum hose or line that could have came off or...

Advance tracking light is staying on

The Advance Trac system relates to the traction control system in your vehicle. The traction control system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/traction-control-light-is-on-inspection) monitors the steering and stability of the vehicle and engages when loss of traction has been detected. This is done by the...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com