BMW X3 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

(421)

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

(421)

Steering wheel feels loose Inspection Service

How much does a Steering wheel feels loose Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW X3 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
2015 BMW X3L4-2.0L Turbo DieselService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.49 - $145.62
2008 BMW X3L6-3.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2014 BMW X3L4-2.0L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2013 BMW X3L4-2.0L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.48 - $125.60
2020 BMW X3L4-2.0L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2004 BMW X3L6-3.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2020 BMW X3L6-3.0L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2017 BMW X3L6-3.0L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example BMW X3 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

(421)

Rating Summary
390
15
2
4
10
390
15
2
4
10

Jason

20 years of experience
26 reviews
Jason
20 years of experience
BMW X3 L6-2.5L - Tune-up - Ellenwood, Georgia
He was on time and he did a great job

Robert

20 years of experience
1092 reviews
Robert
20 years of experience
BMW X3 L6-3.0L - Brake Pad Wear Sensor Replacement - Lafayette, Colorado
Robert is great! Thanks for your service and happy holidays! I appreciate how he took the time to explain everything that he was doing and why.

Estevan

12 years of experience
41 reviews
Estevan
12 years of experience
BMW X3 L6-3.0L - Car is not starting - La Mesa, California
Competent!

Stephen

25 years of experience
48 reviews
Stephen
25 years of experience
BMW X3 L4-2.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Charleston, South Carolina
Great job......super competent....friendly.....exceptional customer service!! Thanks.

Excellent Rating

(421)

Rating Summary
390
15
2
4
10
390
15
2
4
10
Number of BMW X3 services completed
4631+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI
It It might look just like the regular Passat, but the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI is the kind of practical sedan that even the most hardcore car enthusiasts can get excited about. Why? While it looks like a mid-size family...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Cold Climate
If If you live in a cold climate, likely one of your biggest concerns when you are considering which used vehicle you should buy is how well it will perform in snowy, icy conditions. We have evaluated a number of...
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in Delaware
There There are several important documents pertaining to your car – the insurance information, for instance. However, there’s nothing more important than the title. This certificate proves that you have ownership of the car, and it’s needed to register the...

Spark plug popped-out

It is common on this engine for the spark plugs to pop, and there are two typical fixes: either the spark plug hole could have a new insert put into it, or the head will have to be replaced. I...

The front tire is making a knocking sound when I accelerate

The noise could be a from a tire that is separated or one of the front axles joints being bad. If you do not feel anything in the steering when the noise is happening, then the noise is most likely...

I'm converting my 1994 v6 Camaro to a v8. I'm putting in a 69 327 SBC motor. What headers do I use? Year? 1994 Chevrolet Camaro

Hello - since your '94 Camaro could be purchased with a 5.7L V8 as well (LT1, LT4), there are several header configurations that will work for you. Your driving and performance needs will have a lot to do with choice...

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