7/1/2021

61 07 21_NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

SIB 61 07 21
NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

2021-06-16

MODEL
F22 (2 Series Coupe)
F32 (4 Series Coupe)

F23 (2 Series
Convertible)
F33 (4 Series
Convertible)

F30 (3 Series Sedan)

F31 (3 Series Sports
Wagon)

F34 (3 Series Gran
Turismo)

SITUATION
Groaning, scraping, or squeaking noise coming from the steering wheel area in the interior of the vehicle,
when turning the steering wheel.

CAUSE
The noise can be cause by any of the following possible situations:

The steering column switch cluster is not correctly mounted/aligned, or the sliding tape / lack of
lubrication causing the noise
The coil spring cassette generates noises
Steering column shroud not installed correctly
Noises from the steering column

PROCEDURE
In case of a customer complaint, proceed as follow in order to find the source/cause of the noise.

1. Disassemble the steering column shroud
as per REP 32 31 020 (included in 61 31
008) Removing and installing lower part of
steering column shroud and turn the
steering wheel from one limit position to the
other while stationary.
Is the noise still present?
No: Mount the steering column shroud
correctly according to the repair instructions
and turn it to test whether the noise is still
present.
YES: Proceed to next step

2. Disassemble the steering wheel and
remove the steering column switch cluster
(SZL) (2) as per REP 61 31 008 Removing
and installing steering column switch cluster

Copyright ©2021 BMW of North America, Inc.
1/5

7/1/2021

61 07 21_NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

Note: Put the wheels in the straight-ahead
position.
Re-install the steering wheel without the SZL
according to repair instructions and turn the
steering wheel from one limit position to the
other while stationary.
Is the noise still present?
YES: Carry out further diagnosis in the steering
column, in this case the (SZL) steering column
switch cluster / coil spring cassette is not the
cause of the noise.
NO: Proceed to next step

3. Remount the steering column switch (2)
cluster correctly
Important:
Press the steering column switch cluster onto
the bolt up to the limit position and center it.
Tighten the four screw connections crosswise
with the predefined torque, according to the
repair instructions.

Check whether a sliding tape is bonded on the
drive flange on the steering wheel.
If adhesive tape (white or black) is affixed on
the drive flange on the steering wheel, remove
it and clean the bonding surfaces (2) with
safety solvent cleaner (P/N 83 19 2 451 316).

Then grease the coil spring cassette and
steering wheel.
See attachment item 2. Apply lubricant
Use the following greaseKlübersynth LF44-22 (83 23 0 396 713)

Copyright ©2021 BMW of North America, Inc.
2/5

7/1/2021

61 07 21_NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

Mount the steering wheel and turn it to test
whether the noise is still present.
Is the noise still present?
Yes: Replace the coil spring cassette according
to the repair instructions.
No: No further action needed.

PARTS INFORMATION
Obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in either ETK
or AIR which takes into account specific equipment and/or options.
Part Number
83 19 2 451 316
83 23 0 396 713
Refer to ETK

Description
BMW Non-Chlor. Brake Parts Cleaner 10% (15 oz)
Grease Klübersynth LF 44-22 (45 gr)
Coil spring cartridge

Quantity
As needed
As needed
1 (only when needed)

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
Defect Code:

6112553900

Control unit of steering column switch cluster incl. coil
spring cassette, interference noises

Repair
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Allowance

61 31 008

Removing and installing steering column switch cluster
(Main work)

Refer to AIR

Removing and installing steering column switch cluster
(Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Work time for reinstalling and removing the steering
wheel without the SZL and checking for noise, removing
the adhesive tape/clean if applicable and grease the coil
spring cassette and steering wheel

5 FRU

Or:
61 31 508
And:
32 99 000

And, if applicable:
SZL Replacement Required after Performing the above (Excluding the F23)
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Allowance

61 99 000

Work time for the previously performed procedure to
remove and correctly remount the steering column switch
cluster (SZL)

5 FRU

Copyright ©2021 BMW of North America, Inc.
3/5

7/1/2021

61 07 21_NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

Or, for the:
F23, only when an SZL Replacement is Required
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Allowance

00 00 006

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Main work)

Refer to AIR

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Support voltage of the vehicle electrical system / recharge
vehicle electrical system battery

Refer to AIR

Work time for reinstalling and removing the steering wheel
without the SZL and checking for noise, removing the
adhesive tape/clean if applicable and grease the coil
spring cassette and steering wheel

5 FRU

Work time for the previously performed procedure to
remove and correctly remount the steering column switch
cluster (SZL)

5 FRU

Replacing the steering column switch cluster

Refer to AIR

Programming/encoding control unit(s)

Refer to AIR

Or:
00 00 556
And:
61 21 528
And:
32 99 000
And:
61 99 000
And:
61 31 513
And:
61 00 730

Only one Main work flat rate labor operation code can be claimed per workshop visit.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances for the above.
During the workshop visit for this repair procedure, the above vehicles may also show one or more
programming and encoding Technical Campaign repairs open, the programming and encoding procedure
may only be invoiced one time.
If you should have this situation, update the vehicle to the required I-level or higher by performing
and submitting for it through one of these open Technical Campaigns instead.
Please be sure to also perform any additional before and/or after work (including attaching labels)
as required by the open campaigns on the vehicle. Close any other open programming and
encoding Campaign repairs as outlined in the corresponding Service Information Bulletin.
Only if the situation above does not apply, the additional flat rate labor operation codes listed above to
perform the programming and encoding procedure is then claimable within the work procedures and
coverage guidelines described in this bulletin.
And, as needed:
Sublet – Bulk Materials (RO and Claim Comments Required)
Sublet Code
Up to $5.00
4

Reimbursement for the repair-related bulk materials (Do not use
the BMW part numbers for claim submission)

Copyright ©2021 BMW of North America, Inc.
4/5

7/1/2021

61 07 21_NOISES FROM THE STEERING SWITCH CLUSTER AREA

Sublet reimbursement calculation for claiming the applicable repair-related bulk materials (BMW part
numbers) is at the dealer net price amount for the quantities used plus your center’s handling.
Enter this material cost in sublet and itemize the amount on the repair order and in claim comment section.
Programming and Encoding - Vehicle Control Units (RO and Claim Comments Required)
This procedure automatically reprograms and encodes any vehicle control modules that do not have the
latest software I-level.
If one or more control modules fail during the reprogramming procedure, claim the required consequential
repair work procedures to address this issue (including performing the IRAP Control Unit Recovery first as
required, refer to the SIB in AIR) under the Defect Code in this bulletin with the labor operations in AIR that
apply.
Please explain the additional work procedures that were performed (The why and the what) on the repair
order and in the claim comments.
For covered repairs that address control module failures that occurred prior to performing this
reprogramming procedure, claim this work with the Defect Code and labor operations (including diagnosis)
in AIR that apply.
Other Repairs
For any other covered repairs that were performed after performing diagnosis, claim this work with the
Defect Code and labor operations (including diagnosis) in AIR that apply.
Based on which applies to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for claiming your
diagnosis work time, job/repair work time, and for the RO/claim repair and work time explanation procedures

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquiries
Warranty inquiries
Parts inquiries

Submit feedback at the top of this bulletin
Please contact the Warranty department by either using the Live Chat that’s
available in the Warranty Documentation Portal or through IDS by selecting
Coverage, Policy, Coding Questions and Mileage Corrections
Submit an IDS ticket to the Parts Department

Copyright ©2021 BMW of North America, Inc.
5/5