Front suspension / steering issues

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:58 pm

Got myself a new steering joint to fit... Taken the pinch bolts out, now how on earth do I get the thing out so I can get the drill on it?!

Haylp?! Need the car in the morning & I don't wanna give up!

edit; it didn't solve my problem - see my later post below!

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:18 pm

Just knock it down till the top is off the shaft in the bulkhead, then knock it up till it comes off the steering rack.

Then clean all the splines and put a bit of slack in the joints when you put it all back.

Andrew

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:20 pm

Cheers mate; worked it out eventually, I was just having a blonde moment!

The old one didn't seem that bad though - I'll see when I drive it tomorrow, but I have a feeling I'll be posting about what else could still be wrong!

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:18 am

I was right

The steering does feel a bit more positive so it wasn't a complete waste of time, but el problemo is still there...

I've got a shake through the wheel from about 65 up to about 75mph.
It only started when I started fitting new bits!

Wishbones, bushes, drop-links, shocks, springs, track rods were all new & then the problems started... I've had the tracking done & re-done, & they re-balanced the wheels too (despite there being no problems with them before). The tyres are only a couple of months old...

I'll investigate again at the weekend (or before if I get the chance!) but I'm running out of ideas here!

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:18 pm

Sounds similar to my problem... here

Car is going for its MOT tomorrow and to a very trusted garage who have been forwarned of this issue - will let you know the outcome...

Post Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:35 am

Sounds like you've hopefully found your problem

My ball joints are all new though, so it ain't likely to be that in my case...

So what am I left with?

Something loose? Checked all the new bits once, but I'll do so again...

Wheel balancing? Been done again & no difference...

Tracking? As above; should I take it somewhere else?

Wheel bearing? No noise etc but I'll investigate...

Steering rack? How to tell?

Rear suspension? I know it needs doing, but could it cause these symptoms?

Post Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:40 pm

According to a good friend (also a BMW mechanic when E30s were new) it is possible to fit the rear bushes on the front wishbones the wrong way round which then stresses them the wrong way and will cause symptoms as you describe - I really need to ask him near a PC so I can type what he actually said!

Post Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:46 pm

Skip wrote:According to a good friend (also a BMW mechanic when E30s were new) it is possible to fit the rear bushes on the front wishbones the wrong way round which then stresses them the wrong way and will cause symptoms as you describe - I really need to ask him near a PC so I can type what he actually said!

Don't think I did that, but I only fitted standard ones as I couldn't get hold of eccentrics in time. So an upgrade to poly eccentrics is very much on the cards anyway... Ah sod it - just ordered em from the zone shop! Fingers crossed they'll get here quickly

Post Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:16 pm

Ziggy wrote:
Skip wrote:According to a good friend (also a BMW mechanic when E30s were new) it is possible to fit the rear bushes on the front wishbones the wrong way round which then stresses them the wrong way and will cause symptoms as you describe - I really need to ask him near a PC so I can type what he actually said!
Don't think I did that, but I only fitted standard ones as I couldn't get hold of eccentrics in time. So an upgrade to poly eccentrics is very much on the cards anyway... Ah sod it - just ordered em from the zone shop! Fingers crossed they'll get here quickly

Good luck - let us know how you get on!