5/12/25, 11:15 AM

32 05 25_STEERING COLUMN NOISE AS THE STEERING RETURNS TO THE CENTER POSITION

SIB 32 05 25
STEERING COLUMN NOISE AS THE STEERING RETURNS TO THE
CENTER POSITION
☒
☐

2025-05-02

THIS REPAIR IS MOBILE FRIENDLY
THIS REPAIR IS REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE (RSU) FRIENDLY

MODEL
E-Series
G45

Model Description
X3 Sports Activity Vehicle

Production Date
From Start of Production @ August 2024

SITUATION
“Knocking/thumping” noise during steering wheel movements and returning to the center position.
See attached video V32 05 25 Column noise.

CAUSE
Tension in the steering column during the assembly process.

CORRECTION
Relieve the tension in the column.

PROCEDURE
Remove the upper and lower steering column shroud as per REP 32 31 020 to expose the screw connection
of the steering column.
To release the column tension:
1. Loosen all 4 nuts.
2. Open the adjustment lever (A).
3. Close the adjustment lever (A).
4. Tighten the nuts in the defined
sequence to 21.4 Nm as shown in the
photo to the left.
5. Continue with installing the lower and
upper steering column shrouds.
6. Reassess the complaint.

PARTS INFORMATION
To determine the part number(s) that applies to the specific vehicle being repaired, enter the VIN / Chassis
number into either ETK or AIR, this will consider the specific equipment and/or options that are fitted to the
vehicle.
Part Number
07 14 9 890 645

Description
Torx screw, micro-encapsulated (M14x1.5x25 ZNS3)

Quantity
1

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32 05 25_STEERING COLUMN NOISE AS THE STEERING RETURNS TO THE CENTER POSITION

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

3231213900

Steering shaft middle section Unpleasant noises

Obtain the flat rate unit (FRU) allowances for the following that applies.
Diagnosis
Labor Operation
32 99 000(*)(**)
Or
00 58 500*

Description
Diagnosing and verifying the specific noises described in
the Situation section (Work time)

Labor Allowance

Diagnosis Worktime Flat Rate

2 FRU

WT FRU

And, together with the diagnosis above that applies:
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Allowance

32 33 020

Remove and install/replace lower part of steering column
shroud (Main work)

As applicable

Remove and install/replace lower part of steering column
shroud (Plusposition)

As applicable

Work time to perform the procedure to relieve the tension
in the column

2 FRU

Or:
32 33 520
And:
32 99 000**

If you are using a Main labor code for any another repair, use the applicable Plus code labor operation code
32 33 520 instead of 32 33 020.
Work time labor operation code 32 99 000 and 00 58 000 are not considered Main labor operations.
**Note for 32 99 000: For those applicable centers, claim work time labor operation code 32 99 000 one
time for the total FRU amount that applies, then itemized the amount claimed on the repair order and in the
claim comments.
(*) Based on which one applies to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for the applicable procedure for
documenting, claiming, and explaining, on the RO and in the claim comments, your diagnosis work time (WT), job/repair
work time (WT), and the vehicle repairs your center performed, unless otherwise required by State law.

BMW Group’s AIR Application Resource for Flat Rate Labor Operation Codes
To obtain the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance information from the BMW Group AIR application
resource, start by entering the the Chassis Number (last seven (7) characters of the VIN), and click on the
“Search” icon. If the “Vehicle Selection” window displays two or more model possible vehicle choices, select
the applicable Model, or enter the full VIN (17 characters) instead to proceed. Click on the “Flat Rate Units”
button and enter a flat rate labor operation code number “without spaces” in the field to the right, click on the
“Search” icon to display the corresponding listing of “Flat rate unit group details” that are available and their
corresponding FRU allowances.

FEEDBACK REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
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feedback in the rating box at the top of this bulletin
To submit feedback for the CLAIMS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket Copyright
to the Warranty
Department,
or use
the chat Inc.
available in the
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Parts Feedback

32 05 25_STEERING COLUMN NOISE AS THE STEERING RETURNS TO THE CENTER POSITION

Warranty Documentation Portal
To submit feedback for the PARTS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket to the Parts Department

Supporting Materials
Videos
32 05 25

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