My Sexy UDMs
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Petrus
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wingzee;828689 said:Visited Albert today to replace the long due steering column shaft. Plan been put off couple of times due to unavailability of a good condition half-cut part. Was told a brand new part cost about RM3-4k.
Been living with knocking sound in the steering column area whenever driving through uneven surfaces and free play (about 0.5 to 1.0inch) while turning the steering wheel. This been happening ever since gotten the car and the last change of steering coupling and lower joint only managed to minimise the issue but not eliminated it totally. Such condition causes a lot of nervousness and non-confidence during corners and high speed driving.
The whole job took about 3 hours as it involves a lot of work of dismantling the whole steering column (including steering wheel, steering angle sensor), up to the steering coupling and lower joint in the lower part of engine.
Went home a very very happy man as now there is now zero free play and no more knocking sound. Feels absolutely like a true UDM.
Hmmm.... my car has the tendency to sway a little to the left / right when hitting uneven road... I wonder if this is the culprit...
I bought tie rod ends last year to see if this was culprit... But I haven't got the time to send to change it yet.....
Btw, is it hard to source for this steering column?
wingzee
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Petrus;831402 said:
That sounds like bump steer to me. But a loose steering column will amplify the effect further.
Read more about bump steer here:
http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/foru...e-to-Albert-Fang-WP-Auto&highlight=bump+steer
Do check all your lower arms and tie rods as well while you're at it.
It's not hard as they are plenty in chop shops but do get one directly off from a halfcut as you can verify the milleage and condition. Those which been canibalized and sold as loose parts might not be in good condition anymore as they are being placed and thrown everywhere.
zidee
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wingzee;831405 said:
Or could it be due to "tramlining" ?
With reference to wikipedia as below explain :
"Tramlining is the tendency of a vehicle's wheels to follow the contours in the surface upon which it runs. The term comes from the tendency of a car's wheels to follow the normally recessed rails of street trams, without driver input in the same way that the train does. The same effect is sometimes called Nibbling.
Tramlining can usually be blamed on tires, and its incidence depends greatly on the model of tire and its state of wear. Although not normally dangerous, at very high speeds it can become a source of instability.
Vehicles with large and wide low profile tires are more prone to the effects as well as vehicles which have wheels fitted that are larger than the manufacturers recommendation or have reinforced sidewalls. People who are relatively inexperienced with driving with this tendency will feel that they have to make continual course corrections and it is very easy to overcompensate the steering, which could potentially lead to veering off the road especially if the road is a narrow track/country road.
The effects of tramlining can be eased by subjecting the vehicle to an inspection and calibration of the wheels (i.e. a full geometry check) or replacing the tires with non-reinforced (soft sidewall) tires."
What size of tyre do you use?
unstopables_7
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nice car bro , didnt really had time to catch up with u.. will catch up soon bro ..
wingzee
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Car have been officially sold to a handsome and young owner who is a true European marque enthusiast. I see my younger self in him. It's an emotional and sad day passing over the keys to him but I do believe the ride will be taken cared of and pampered just like she was under my care.
3251 has been a truly a great car to drive. Been through all over Malaysia been this car, covered tens thousand of KMs at more-than-average high speeds and she has never failed me even once, no breakdowns or whatsoever, despite being temperamental at times with sensors and dash warning lights. (Many E46 owners would agree with me on this)
Overall, it has been a up and down roller-coaster ride with the 3251 with tons of excitement. Hope that the E46 community will continue to grow (with E46 getting much more affordable nowadays) and under the guidance from current batch of enthusiasts cum owners like Anaksarawak, swansonz, mamamia, Amoisky, integramania, Strider74, ghostrider, shawn_esr, tan and finally abang Gendong!
Anyway, life goes on. Next chapter begins with………………………………….
An oil burner!
3251 has been a truly a great car to drive. Been through all over Malaysia been this car, covered tens thousand of KMs at more-than-average high speeds and she has never failed me even once, no breakdowns or whatsoever, despite being temperamental at times with sensors and dash warning lights. (Many E46 owners would agree with me on this)
Overall, it has been a up and down roller-coaster ride with the 3251 with tons of excitement. Hope that the E46 community will continue to grow (with E46 getting much more affordable nowadays) and under the guidance from current batch of enthusiasts cum owners like Anaksarawak, swansonz, mamamia, Amoisky, integramania, Strider74, ghostrider, shawn_esr, tan and finally abang Gendong!
Anyway, life goes on. Next chapter begins with………………………………….
An oil burner!
