steering question

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 4:31 pm

Which part of the steering set up determines how light or heavy the steering is? I ask because some time ago I had a brand new non oem rack fitted and since then the steering has felt much heavier than before. I didn't think too much about it until I drove another E30 and the difference was huge. Also the self-centering of the wheel is a bit crap. Could this be down to the rack or should I be looking at the track rods or something else?

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:03 pm

First thing is to check the tracking.

Ben

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:33 pm

It doesn't pull to either side and will drive straight if the wheel is released, could the tracking be out despite of this?

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:20 pm

Yes.

Ben

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:05 pm

Just had the tracking done and it may have improved things slightly but still not completely happy with it. The tester said that the rear wheels are sitting like this / \ What could cause this?

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:55 pm

Was it a recon rack? I'm wondering if other is to much preload on the pinion maybe because of the centering part.

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:59 pm

Cloggy Saint wrote:Just had the tracking done and it may have improved things slightly but still not completely happy with it. The tester said that the rear wheels are sitting like this / \ What could cause this?

Shagged rear springs?

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:04 pm

gromgsxr wrote:Was it a recon rack? I'm wondering if other is to much preload on the pinion maybe because of the centering part.

It was a brand new rack but not oem. The springs are Koni and about 6-7 years old I guess.

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:18 pm

Cloggy Saint wrote:Just had the tracking done and it may have improved things slightly but still not completely happy with it. The tester said that the rear wheels are sitting like this / \ What could cause this?

Worn rear axle carrier bushes.

I had problems with heavy,non-self centering steering when I first used the cabbie.Traced it to the steery wheel binding on the top of the column switches.Adding an extra washer,or possibly fitting a washer that should have been there but had gone walkies,cured it.

Post Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:23 pm

Tracking can really affect how heavy the steering is. My racer went from almost too hard to drive, to too light with a bit of tweaking - had it set up properly and now it's pretty good (as well as driving in a straight line much better!).