steering problems

[khalidm3]

gurus and guys,i have a slight but highly irritating problem with my UDM. btw, its a 328i, with 17" 215 all round.wheels are already balanced and aligned and fitted with new brigdestones in front. the car is going straight at open roads.however, at high speeds (100kph++),and significantly after 130++ kph, the steering feels like it has a lot of free play and its going everywhere. i need to make corrections all the time and truely, its very irritating. it feels like the car is pulling to left and right - the kind of sensation when you are overtaking or being overtaked by a very fast bus- .there's also slight vibrations when braking at slight corners (off ramps and on ramps.) what could be the problem?2) in my weekly balik kg drive to melaka, i usually maintain 130kph++ all the way. will there be any harm to the engine and auto tranny? BTW i recently changed the ATF and regularly change engine oil ( semi syn).thanking in advance....

 

[khalidm3]

another thing... when i cange lanes, the cars feels like its diving to fasst and bouncy.... why la....whhy.... :dunno:

 

[adzhar]

Hello Bro,

I've faced the same problem... Initially i've used 16" Rims without any issues. BUT, when i'm using 17" ... the tyre seems like controlling more than the steering. In my case... the low arm have some problem.

For me, i've replaced my lower arm and put extra rubber padding... so far i've not encountered the problem again.

Perhaps, other people might want to share their experience.

 

[khalidm3]

the tyre seems like controlling more than the steering

yup...thats the one... thanks bro...

anyone with similar exp?

 

[supergripen]

are u using an aftermarket suspension system? what type?
too stiff a setup can also exaggerate tramlining thus affecting ur steering..plus u r using 17s on 215s right?
had a similar problem with my e36 but when i changed to a less stiff system the problem went away..plus make sure ur camber is not too far off the mark..

 

[khalidm3]

yup. 215/45r17.
the suspension system is still standard.

 

[eddiefiola]

hello all, tighten ur steering rack......... how many times i wanna say about this........

apparently, steering feel in e46 sucks. to me lah. anyway, i've bought the car, what to do. still new, cannot sell. want better steering feel, buy other cars. even proton wira has better steering feel than e46( at high speed). want the best steering feel, go get active front steering n better still, get audi with servotronic steering. that is the best..........

for e46, use spanar 16. for e36, use spanar 17, i think........

 

[samhun]

Originally posted by khalidm3@Aug 2 2005, 09:25 AM
another thing... when i cange lanes, the cars feels like its diving to fasst and bouncy.... why la....whhy.... :dunno:

hv u check ur undercarriage bush or ball join especially th lower arm. I had this experience like you b4, it only happens when speed reach up above 140Kmh. I had my lower arm replaced, and eveythngs seems to be okay and non of any high speed unstable problem anymore.

 

[khalidm3]

ok..i'll get those thing checked out...

eddiefiola...funny thing..i was so frustrated...i actually considered a wiralotion the other day...

 

[HAMMAN]

Originally posted by eddiefiola@Aug 3 2005, 12:41 AM
hello all, tighten ur steering rack......... how many times i wanna say about this........

apparently, steering feel in e46 sucks. to me lah. anyway, i've bought the car, what to do. still new, cannot sell. want better steering feel, buy other cars. even proton wira has better steering feel than e46( at high speed). want the best steering feel, go get active front steering n better still, get audi with servotronic steering. that is the best..........

for e46, use spanar 16. for e36, use spanar 17, i think........

bro,
where did you send your car to tighten the steering rack? My steering got free play... went to few places advise me to change steering rack and rims :unsure: . To me the rims is not an issue . I'm using 17" rims. I know la some mech just wanna make money advise me just change the steering rack that cost about rm700-800 and solved prob.

 

[khalidm3]

i'm going to a workshop in kajang this weekend. will update .

 

[eddiefiola]

hamman, tighten steering rack? i did it myself. ask or pm juggernaut. i believe he has done it on his e46 330. i taught him how to do it. n he lives in kl. if u are in jb, i can do it for u.

 

[khongts]

hi guys,

I own a E30 91/91 M40. Having problem with the steering. The steering gets light especially when travelling fast. Anyway to tighten the steering rack for E30? any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[khalidm3]

change bushing and ball joints.

car ok oredi

 

[535i]

Originally posted by khongts@Sep 19 2005, 09:34 PM
hi guys,

I own a E30 91/91 M40. Having problem with the steering. The steering gets light especially when travelling fast. Anyway to tighten the steering rack for E30? any advice would be most appreciated.

E30/M40 - known for it ...

Nothing much u can do - except change ur rack to E36 one ....

 

[khongts]

Hi 535i,

Just changed my steering rack abt less then a year. It was a new unit.

Is the steering rack for the E30 the same as that for the E36 or E46, where u can tighen them? just changed the new steering rack. money down the drain if have to change again ah ah :getyourfactsright:

Anyway to tighten the E30 steering rack? or any other solution to this problem?

Any advice?

Cheers

 

[535i]

Originally posted by khongts@Sep 20 2005, 04:06 AM
Hi 535i,

Just changed my steering rack abt less then a year. It was a new unit.

Is the steering rack for the E30 the same as that for the E36 or E46, where u can tighen them? just changed the new steering rack. money down the drain if have to change again ah ah :getyourfactsright:

Anyway to tighten the E30 steering rack? or any other solution to this problem?

Any advice?

Cheers

changing the rack will not really solve the prob. I've changed mine as well but the problem still persist.

A few areas where u can tighten

1) Steering linkage - close to ur clutch pedal.
2) Steering coupling - close to ur manifold
3) Steering rack - underneath ur car - I tink it's no 17 wrench.

I hv tried M3 control arm, new tie-rod, ball-joint, abs mount, thicker sway bar - u name it ...

 

[khongts]

Originally posted by 535i+Sep 20 2005, 05:17 PM-->QUOTE (535i @ Sep 20 2005, 05:17 PM)

 

[535i]

Originally posted by khongts+Sep 20 2005, 08:35 PM-->QUOTE (khongts @ Sep 20 2005, 08:35 PM)

Originally posted by 535i@Sep 20 2005, 05:17 PM

 

[khongts]

Hi 535i,

Thanks for the info.

Cheers B)