Something doesn't feel right with my steering. At relatively low speeds it's extremely stiff when trying to move it away from the central spot, which is a real pain for tight supermarket corners. Once you've gone past a half-turn it frees up, but in both directions it feels like there's a lump around the centre point.
It's got power steering, so I don't know whether it's the pump or the rack at fault. If it's the pump I'll swap in a replacement, but if it's the rack I guess it's time to go the E46 route...
Stiff Steering
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Grrrmachine
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'89 325i Touring | Touring Resto Thread | In-Dash Screen install
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G-Bear
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One thing, which I could be wrong on, but might be worth a peep..
I recently fitted an E46 067 rack. Noticed it felt a bit stiff. Had a look underneath and noticed that one of the new boots was crushed in around the track rod inside.. it looked to be 'sucked in'. Had noticed that on other racks there's a small hole in the boot. Couldn't see one on this one, so drilled a small 1.5-2mm hole in the rubber. With a bit of massaging it popped back into shape and the steering seems fine since.. Not sure it was the right thing to do but it seems to have worked.
I got lemforder E30 boots, which actually came up small when fitting over the new rack, so not sure if that had anything to do with it.. Anyway sorry Grrrmachine, drifting off point a bit; might be worth a quick peep underneath your engine at your boots..
I recently fitted an E46 067 rack. Noticed it felt a bit stiff. Had a look underneath and noticed that one of the new boots was crushed in around the track rod inside.. it looked to be 'sucked in'. Had noticed that on other racks there's a small hole in the boot. Couldn't see one on this one, so drilled a small 1.5-2mm hole in the rubber. With a bit of massaging it popped back into shape and the steering seems fine since.. Not sure it was the right thing to do but it seems to have worked.
I got lemforder E30 boots, which actually came up small when fitting over the new rack, so not sure if that had anything to do with it.. Anyway sorry Grrrmachine, drifting off point a bit; might be worth a quick peep underneath your engine at your boots..
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jonny323i
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Mine is similar and its because the bearing at the base of the steering column has gone dry I have to grease it up every so often in the engine bay
Touring for life
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zd3bx
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I've been told could also be inner/outer ball joints? Assuming the rack is fine...
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hongkongfuey
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Tracking ok? Tyre pressure too?
if there wern't people like me,
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
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Billwill
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I recently replaced the steering rubber Guibo on my 318i.....the two universal joints on the steering shaft were extremely tight......sprayed some WD40 on them and they moved freely again. 
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Grrrmachine
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Did the tracking a month ago, but I use the car so infrequently that I can't trace exactly when the steering went stiff.
I'll get the WD40 out and spray the joints and bearings to see if that frees anything up, and check for split boots and oil leaks.
I'll get the WD40 out and spray the joints and bearings to see if that frees anything up, and check for split boots and oil leaks.
'89 325i Touring | Touring Resto Thread | In-Dash Screen install
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PG325
- E30 Zone Camper
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I thought my steering was stiff due to the column bearings, I removed the steering coupling and the bloody column spun as if it was brand new.
In the end I went for the E46 rack as I've put the stiffness down to the rack or rods.
In the end I went for the E46 rack as I've put the stiffness down to the rack or rods.