Power Steering Assist Bolt Failure

[andr18587]

So leaving work tonight, my 2014 116i suffered what sounded like a catastrophic failure. First, the right side headlight failed and then an ominous crunching noise when turning the steering wheel. Gear grinding noise turning right, motor whirring noise on left. Total loss of power steering and a "stability control" failure message on the iDrive. Steering then jammed so I couldn't turn left and right. Lucky it didn't happen on the motorway or while driving at speed! I was still in the office car park, so was able to stop safely.

Called out the AA and they diagnosed that the two bolts holding the power steering motor onto the steering rack had sheared off leaving the motor sitting unattached.

Car is currently sitting in the garage to see what they can do by way of reattaching the motor. Has anyone seen this before? Seems like an odd thing to just break without warning (no issues last time I drove the car etc). What about other issues to look out for? Could it have caused other damage?

This is virtually the same issue as I've described, but with a different model of BMW https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1469927

I've contacted BMW UK for comment and any advice, so will update accordingly if/when I receive anything.

[Greydog]

Wow Andy, not good as you say if it had happened at speed on the open road !!!

Never read or heard of this before keep us posted on the outcome please

Dave

[Bimmer Owners Club]

Personally I have never seen this occur before on a PAS pump but looking at the bolts that are used on the other pump (other forum post link) then I'm not surprised. If they are to secure a housing onto another component then they should have a shoulder along the top half of the bolt...if you use the type in the picture then they are already weakened with cutting the thread along the whole length....Wrong Bolts!

Would be very interested to hear the outcome of this one.....you certainly have a guardian angel watching over you Andy.

[andr18587]

Thought I'd better update on the outcome...

After contacting them via Twitter and making a phonecall to BMW Assist, BMW UK took ownership of this and promised action to resolve. My car was recovered to my BMW garage of choice (free of charge, after some negotiation) and the repair booked in.

Turns out they replaced the whole steering rack (again, free of charge).

Apparently there is a "Quality Enhancement" issued against the F20/F21 in October 2018 for the replacement of these bolts as they are prone to failure. As it isn't a recall, the dealers dont have to contact owners and will carry out the work at the next service, IF ASKED!!! Most wont bother unless you ask them apparently.

I'm pushing BMW to increase the priority on this and issue a proper recall. I was lucky. Someone else might not be.

[Bimmer Owners Club]

Thanks for the update Andy

That is unbelievable, I cannot believe it is not a Safety Recall already, I would be more tempted to contact VOSA https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/vehicle-and-operator-services-agency and report the information to them. 
If they believe it is a serious concern then they can escalate it to BMW.

Huge error on BMWs part by using the wrong bolts that stretch and shear....probably overtorqued aswell

 

[andr18587]

I have contacted VOSA/DVSA as suggested. They haven't replied but I don't know how long it normally takes for these things to happen!

Also, another documented case of this happening to the 116i: https://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=117825

[Bimmer Owners Club]

well keep us updated as and when you get a reply as it certainly needs taking further if they are using components that render the steering as potentially dangerous