Heavy steering & freeplay

[DanPromote]

To those who are using e36 cars, may I know if it is normal for the steering to be heavy, and does your steering wheel have some freeplay or does it mean that there is something wrong with mine? If there is something wrong, any idea what is the culprit?

 

[kahar]

hi dan,
could u b a lil detail on yer car. i know its a 4 potter. but cld u tell us on some of the related accessories, wheels, rims etc? r they standard?

did u exp a diff feelin tday compared to say 1 of purchase or its been like dat all the while eh?

rgds, B)
kahar abdullah

 

[DanPromote]

I'm using 17in rims with 215x45x17 tyres the steering was also heavy when I got the car the first time. The freeplay also existed then. Basically, if I go on a straight road, I can still turn the steering wheel a bit on the left and right without affecting the direction (ie. the car will still stay on course).

 

[Jipster]

AFAIK.... there is usually an allowable amount of free play but anything excessive will be a symptom of something that requires changing. In my E30 the thing that required changing was the steering coupling. I dont know whether its the same for the E36.

Heavy steering? Well, if you are on 17s you have to expect a heavy steering in the first place due to the amount of rubber making contact with the ground. Check the tire pressure.

I'd check these simple things first before I move on to the more major bits

 

[c-square]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Nov 12 2005, 09:35 AM
To those who are using e36 cars, may I know if it is normal for the steering to be heavy, and does your steering wheel have some freeplay or does it mean that there is something wrong with mine? If there is something wrong, any idea what is the culprit?

The "heavy steering" feeling is normal, especially when you are used to driving japs. The steering feel on Japs cars tend to be "very light". I have this feeling each time I drive my wife's VIOS or dad's Wira over a period of time and changed back to the Bimmer.

 

[c-square]

on the steering freeplay, yes I do experience it, albeit only a wee bit, on my ride. It is only very slight and sometimes not noticeable. I can live with it.

 

[DanPromote]

thanks, guess it is normal then hope to see u all at the next bmw gathering then u can tell me if there is something wrong with mine. Kinda hard to know whether the amount of freeplay is normal or excessive as I don't have another bmw to compare with. As for the tyre pressuve I'm using 28 psi for front and rear.

 

[c-square]

If I remember correctly, the owners manual suggest the pressure of 29psi for front and 26psi for rear for 205/60/15 tyres. Mine are pressured at 34psi for front and 32psi for rear.

 

[gwumpkus]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Nov 14 2005, 05:57 PM
thanks, guess it is normal then hope to see u all at the next bmw gathering then u can tell me if there is something wrong with mine. Kinda hard to know whether the amount of freeplay is normal or excessive as I don't have another bmw to compare with. As for the tyre pressuve I'm using 28 psi for front and rear.

??28psi??...sounds a little low....i'm using like 235kpa...i think thats about 33-34 psi, correct me if i'm wrong....

i used the have the free-play too, but that was due to the coupling.. when i overhauled the steering rack, it was tightened, and now everything's just fine.. i reckopn sooner or later it';ll need to be changed...old car...

..cheers!

 

[jarance]

Originally posted by gwumpkus+Nov 14 2005, 06:47 PM-->QUOTE (gwumpkus @ Nov 14 2005, 06:47 PM)

 

[flash]

Originally posted by c-square@Nov 14 2005, 06:24 PM
If I remember correctly, the owners manual suggest the pressure of 29psi for front and 26psi for rear for 205/60/15 tyres. Mine are pressured at 34psi for front and 32psi for rear.

Mine is 34 psi all round.... somehow my cars feels more neutral with equal pressure on all 4 corners.

But I find my E34 steering has more free play and heavier than my ex-E36 and my ex-E36 is heavier than my other Jap cars (but free play is the same).

 

[DanPromote]

thanks! will try the new tyre pressures.


I asked a well versed tuner to check my steering free play, according to him it is due to wear and tear, most probably need to get a replacement steering rack and bushes. By right I was told bmws should have very precise steering feel but mine has too much freeplay.