Steering a bit lame..

[beautymeanswheels]

Been driving the e30 about for a couple of days and found that the steering is nowhere near as responsive as alot of other cars I have driven. I had a 330ci sport (e46) and tht was way tighter and responsive than the e30. Now I know its an old car but surely it shouldn't be this bad?!

Steering rack issues? Or is it supposed to be that way?

[bab-91]

I've been having that problem. At the moment cargo ships have better steering than my car.

I've started to gather bits up to convert my manual rack to e46 power steering.

All the advice and parts list you will need is in the zone wiki courtesy of grrrmachine and other heroes!

[pacerpete]

It is a 20+ year old car, undoubtably something is worn / fooked. Get it looked at by somebody who knows what they are looking at BEFORE you start replacing things .

[verde]

Am i the only one who likes the heavy steering?

[Barx325i]

@ the OP - a lot of this will be down to the fact it's just a very long steering ratio, but the e30 should really feel taught and pointy..

Like Pete says, have someone who knows what it should be like, look at it first. A lot of things can contribute to steering issues, but 'lame' steering could be normal steering when compared to the e46 turn in etc.

fit a diddy steering wheel, 360mm is about right.

@verde, I prefer manual/non PAS

[zaust]

Am i the only one who likes the heavy steering?

No, I'm with you. I was bought up driving beetles mantas and minis. I even converted my m30 touring to manual rack.

[verde]

It feels like the wheel is connected to the car, I hate driving mums subaru because the steering is light and jittery and dads mondeo feels like the steering wheel has nothing to do with the wheels what so ever. Its nice to feel the road and the inputs your making

[Captain_Birdseye]

You know when you stall and the PAS goes away and it's really, really heavy to steer. Tell me that's not how your cars minus PAS actually handle on a normal basis? Surey you couldn't drive/must be arnuld swartch-like.

[Green]

You know when you stall and the PAS goes away and it's really, really heavy to steer. Tell me that's not how your cars minus PAS actually handle on a normal basis? Surey you couldn't drive/must be arnuld swartch-like.

Nothing like the sort! A hell of a lot lighter, infact I find steering an E30 very light, the only time it seems a deal of effort is turning the wheels stationary.. apart from that it is very easy to turn with just one hand!

[Captain_Birdseye]

ha ha, good. the world isn't mad

[redcar]

I like the feel of my 067 e46 rack tbh. Way better feel than some of the newer BMWs I have driven!

[e30mtech]

i steer with the rear tbh but thats just me

[G-Bear]

Once you've had it looked at buy someone in the know. If they say that you need certain new bushes (if not all) this might help you out.. Most of these listed are OEM, however Lemforder are cheaper and apparently make all bushes for BMW... although I've read on here once or twice that Lemforder haven't been as good...

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Bushes

[G-Bear]

And if you're then wondering where all the bushes go.. this might help..

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Suspension

This is all from the hard work and effort of Grrrrmachine and a few others putting the wiki pages together..

[beautymeanswheels]

Need to find someone in 'the know' really. Most average mechanics of today don't seem to be that good with these older cars even though they were more simple back then.

Anyone in South Wales who knows their stuff?