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32 01 23_CRACKING/CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/STEERING SYSTEM

SIB 32 01 23
CRACKING/CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/STEERING SYSTEM
2026-04-06
This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B32 01 23 dated August 2025.
What’s New:
Model

☐
☐

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

MODEL
All models from SoP to August 15, 2024
F95* (X5 M Sports
F96* (X6 M Sports
Activity Vehicle)
Activity Coupe)
G07* (X7 Sports
G09* (BMW XM
Activity Vehicle)
Sports Activity Vehicle)
G23** (4 Series
G26** (4 Series Gran
Convertible)
Coupe)
G80* (M3 Sedan)
G82* (M4 Coupe)

G05* (X5 Sports
Activity Vehicle)
G20** (3 Series
Sedan)
G29* (Z4 Roadster)
G83* (M4 Convertible)

G06* (X6 Sports
Activity Coupe)
G22** (4 Series
Coupe)
G42** (2 Series
Coupe)
G87* (M2 Coupe)

Only vehicles that are fitted with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) from ThyssenKrupp Presta
Steering (TKPS) as noted below.
* Vehicles are fitted with an EPS from TKPS
** Vehicles can be fitted with either a TKPS or JTEK EPS (G20, G22, G23, G26 and G42 Only), these
vehicles must be checked first to see which EPS is installed.

SITUATION
When turning the steering wheel while stationary or when driving on uneven roads; cracking, creaking, or
knocking noises may be heard. See attached example sound videos V32 01 23 and V32 02 23.

CAUSE
The breakaway torque in the thrust bearing of the tie rod is too high.

CORRECTION
Replace one or both tie rod assemblies.
Note: It is not necessary to replace the EPS for any of the listed affected models.

PROCEDURE
For conditions that are like the situation as heard in the videos:

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32 01 23_CRACKING/CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/STEERING SYSTEM

1. Verify a TKPS EPS is installed via

ISTA control unit functions (G20, G22,
G23, G26 and G42 only).

2. On vehicles with the TKPS EPS, replace one or both tie rod assemblies as per REP 32 21 231.
NOTE: G20 vehicles produced up to 04/2019- always replace both tie rods (left and right).
A parts exchange using “old” tie rods does not provide a remedy and is not permitted.
3. Perform wheel alignment check with ride height measurement without loading the vehicle as per REP 32 00 155.

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.
For applicable vehicles with this concern:
Part Number
Description
F95, F96, G05, G06, G07
32 10 5 B5F A51
Left tie rod
Or/and:
32 10 5 B5F A52
Right tie rod
G20, G22, G23, G26, G42
32 10 5 B5F E28
Or/and:
32 10 5 B5F E29
G29
32 10 5 B5F E31
Or/and:
32 10 5 B5F E33
G80, G82, G83, G87
(RWD)
32 10 5 B5F 303
Or/and:
32 10 5 B5F 304
G80, G82, G83, G87 (AWD)
32 10 5 B5F 306
Or/and:
32 10 5 B5F 307

Quantity
1
1

Left tie rod

1

Right tie rod

1

Left tie rod

1

Right tie rod

1

Left tie rod

1

Right tie rod

1

Left tie rod

1

Right tie rod

1

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32 01 23_CRACKING/CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/STEERING SYSTEM

Additionally, other materials and small parts that are not specified above, such as fluids, lubricants (in
sublet), one-time use screws, nuts, and seals, which must be replaced or installed (according to the ISTA
repair instructions/ETK/AIR), are to be selected from the Electronic Parts Catalog, and/or other approved
BMW Group’s resources according to the respective vehicle type. Invoiced these items separately under the
Repair Code listed in this bulletin.

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

3221043900

Track rod, side (incl. ball joint) Unpleasant noises

Diagnosis
Labor Operation
32 99 000*
Or:
00 58 500*

Description
Verifying the noise Situation described above (Work
time)

Labor Allowance

Diagnosis Worktime Flat Rate

2 FRU

WT

Work time labor operation codes 32 99 000 and 00 58 500 are not considered Main labor operations.

Verifying that a TKPS EPS is Installed (G20, G22, G23, G26 and G42 Model Vehicles Only)
Labor Operation

Description
Carrying out vehicle test (Main work) (See the note Main
and Plus note below)

Labor Allowance

Or:
00 00 556
And:

Carrying out vehicle test (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

61 21 528

Supporting voltage of the vehicle electrical system /
recharging vehicle battery

Refer to AIR

Carrying out vehicle diagnosis, ABL (Work time),
verifying that a TKPS

1 FRU

00 00 006

Refer to AIR

And:
61 00 006*
Repairing One Side
Labor Operation
32 21 231
Or:
32 21 734

Description
Replacing left or right tie rod (Main work) (See the note
Main and Plus note below)

Labor Allowance

Replacing left or right tie rod (Plusposition)

Refer to AIR

Description
Replacing tie rods left and right (Main work) (See the
note Main and Plus note below)

Labor Allowance

Replacing tie rods left and right (Plusposition)

Refer to AIR

Refer to AIR

Or:
Repairing Both Sides
Labor Operation
32 21 251
Or:
32 21 737

Refer to AIR

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32 01 23_CRACKING/CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/STEERING SYSTEM

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead of
00 00 006, or exclude (including 61 21 528) when the Vehicle Test is included in another repair.
The Main and Plus code labor operation usage also applies to labor operations 32 21 231/734 and 32 21
251/737, especially for the G20, G22, G23, G26 and G42 model vehicles.
Following the replacement repair instruction that applies to the vehicle, after which:
Checking Wheel Alignment/Adjusting Toe-In on Front Axle
Labor Operation
32 00 595

Description
Kinematics Diagnosis System wheel alignment with ride
height measurement without loading the vehicle
(Plusposition)

Labor Allowance
Refer to AIR

And:
32 00 601

Adjusting toe-in on front axle (Associated work, without
commissioning electromechanical steering gear)

Refer to AIR

Commissioning of electromechanical steering gear
(EPS) / initialization (after vehicle diagnosis)

Refer to AIR

Additional work for integral active steering (HSR)
Associated work (after vehicle diagnosis) (If applicable)

Refer to AIR

And:
32 13 905
And, when
needed:
32 00 650

Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Note: Refer to the Steering and wheel alignment / Electronic wheel alignment section in AIR (Search
reference labor operation code 32 00 155) for other additional alignment-related work that may also be
required to be performed.
*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.

FEEDBACK REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical Feedback
Warranty Feedback
Parts Feedback

To submit feedback for the technical topic of this bulletin: Submit your
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 to the Warranty Department, or use the chat available in the
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 01 23
32 02 23

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