BALL JOINTS

Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:30 pm

I have just replaced the outer ball joints on my 325i to try and get rid of the shakey steering. Now the new ball joints are in the steering feels heavier and when you turn a corner the steering wheel doesnt return back to centre as freely as it did before. Is this normal until the joints settle in or has something else gone a bit wrong?

Cheers

Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:50 pm

how did you fit the new joints,have they been damaged??????

Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:23 pm

old ones where pressed out and new ones pressed in, not damaged

Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:00 pm

will free off fairly soon wouldhave thought?

Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:52 am

I'm hoping it is only the stiffness from the new joints, will give it a few more days and see what happens

Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:35 am

It should free up if it's been pressed in correctly. I've fitted new control arms and it was quite stiff for about 80-100 miles then started freeing up

Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:49 am

i would say because your suspension is now in the condition it should be.

Bigger wheels make the steering more heavy, seems to make the rack work harder.

My sport has really light steering with 15's and a nice weight to it with my 16's on it. 17 i'd imagine create even more weight on the steering

Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:26 am

Thanks guys.. The wishbones where taken off and the old joints pressed out and new ones pressed in, all went smoothly so i know there has been no messing about that could have caused any damage to the parts. Just got a bit concerned when the steering recoil doesnt spin back as quickly as it used to. I'll see how it goes over the next week or so.

Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:42 am

Just to make sure... Did you follow the 2 marks when you pressed them in? If not, the car will turn with difficulties, just the symptoms you have decribed above..

Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:12 am

one of the new ball joints had 2 wee notches on it and the other didnt. They were pressed in by a local garage but there was no attention paid to the notches, what should they line up with or how should they sit?

Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:13 pm

steering seems to be freeing up a bit, have done about 70miles from the joints were fitted. Is it still worth checking out the situation with the nocthes on the joint?, as i said only one of the new ones had them

Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:30 pm

"6. Screw the protective cover on the new ball joint (this is part of the BMW tool kit and prevents
the new joint rubber boot from being damaged upon installation). Align the new ball joint with your
marks on the control arm. The locking tab on the ball joint should point towards the center of the car.
7. Reattach the BMW press and press the new ball joint until firmly seated in the control arm."

Both should have marks and yes, they must be aligned.

Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:00 pm

only one of the ball joints had notches on it but the steering has returned to it's normal state so to speak so i'm assuming all is well. thanks for tips tho.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:31 am

Not to worry you. Just to share what I have experienced. I fitted my ball joints without paying attention how. Steering became very heavy as I don't have power steering on my old 320. Went for a check at a BMW garage and understood where the problem was. These ball joints have specific range of movement and that is why alignment is important. I assume you have power steering so you aren't that bothered as I was. Those who fit entire control arms don't bother - ball jonts are already in.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:09 am

I have power steering mate yeah but when the new joints went in it was a fair bit heavier than normal and when you turned a corner the wheel didnt recoil back as freely as it did before but i've done about 200 miles from the joints were fitted and it's gone back to normal, i think i was just a bit concerned when the steering suddenly got heavy after fitting the joints as i've never came across it before on other cars.

Thanks for letting us know tho.