loose

[DAN]

hi,

i have a 325i, have replaced all the bushes etc, but the steering feels very loose and light....if that makes sense?!

Seems like car is understeering sometimes where it feels so light and or loose, any ideas?! i'm stumped

[Simon]

Tyre pressures?

Or maybe the rubber mount in the steering column, there's been a lot of mention of this lately.

Also track rod ends?

[M5pilot]

Which bushes have you changed exactly?

[DAN]

Two mechanics who i know very well have looked at both wishbones etc and said that all looks ok, and paul325i and myself changed the key bush a couple of weeks back - both are now brand new.

It does seem to more of a steering problem - Simon are these rubber mounts a do it yourself kinda job or does it require a more specialised person?!

p.s tyre pressures etc are all ok

Thanks for the quick reply guys

[Simon]

It does seem to more of a steering problem - Simon are these rubber mounts a do it yourself kinda job or does it require a more specialised person?!

I haven't changed it myself before, but from what Petetourer said it wasn't too difficult.

[DAN]

cheers mate, hopefully this is it, as its becoming a pain, dont want to drive it to hard, as never know what its going to do!

Maybe i'll drop him a line, after some tips

thanks again, any other suggestions welcome

[mole325i]

Dan, have you checked the front wheel alignment lately ?
Tracking might be out, if you do any work on the front suspension at all you should at least have it checked, ask your mechanic friends to check it for you, if they have the gear ask them to recommend a place to go.
Good luck hope you sort it out.

Martin

[DAN]

Cheers dude, it has been all 4 wheel alinged etc, but that was BEFORE the bush was changed.

I'll get that done again over the weekend.

p.s the borbets rock!!!

[PeteE30Tourer]

It does seem to more of a steering problem - Simon are these rubber mounts a do it yourself kinda job or does it require a more specialised person?!

I haven't changed it myself before, but from what Petetourer said it wasn't too difficult.

I dont think it was me, sorry Dan. I do have much the same problem as you however, and someone previously suggested to me that i look at the steering column bush, but when i looked at it whilst rocking the steering wheel back and forth, there didn't appear to be any play in it. Ian332Sport sent me a tech article on how to change the bush though - seemed fairly straight forward.

I've also had my tracking checked out (spot on!) and checked my tyre pressures, plus i've changed most of the other bushes in the front suspension, so i'm also at a loss as to what it can be. Perhaps it's just a characteristic of the generally low geared (or high geared - i can never work that one out!) E30 steering. Many on here have changed to the E36 steering rack with some modification, which makes the steering much tighter apparently, but i cant do this because of my 6-branch manifold.

Keep me posted in case you do find out something else as it does anoy me sometimes that the front end seems so vague sometime - almost like you're really heavily loaded at the back and the front wheels are barely touching the ground.

[Simon]

I have an excellent remedy for the vague front end feel on the E30...buy an M3!!

[DAN]

Ok Pete thanks alot, its annoying!

Unless its just the crap thats on the roads this time of year, but i can never remember being that bad. I'll have a look at the bush, and if i find anything else thats wrong that solves the problem, i'll let you know.

[Demlotcrew]

Is the steering rack centre? if its not it will be proving assistance at speed causing this problem.

Andrew

[DAN]

Has anyone a part number for this bush from GSF? Or what its excatley called so i can look it up.

paul325i said it could be some play in the rack, would this be due to that bush aswell?

Cheers guys