E36 steering has poor 'return to center' problem

[silbi]

my E36 has this issue now - changed to another steering rack coz the old steering rack had too much free play, i also just put front lowered springs ...alignment all done, new front tyres, new suspension bushings etc...my only issue is that the steering still has a little bit of free play very poor 'return to center' problem...it can drive straight u turn, but after corner the steering cannot easily turn back to center like normal power steering should do?the car alignments seems fine...the car drives straight but sometimes only depending on road condition...when the steering turns it won't easily return to center like a normal power steering should do... and if i just do a few periodical change of power steering fluid...can this rectify this issue?thx

 

[slyder]

How do you know is your alignment correct or fine? for the steering to return to center its the caster settings

 

[silbi]

aligntment should be fine coz i did it about 3,4 times. just to get alignment rechecked at different shops.. most of them suspected the tyre... changed tyres problem still exist although not as bad

but caster settings is new to me..where can i get this checked bro? can this be repaired? and whats the cost like?

thx

 

[moots]

the caster angle on a car is normally fixed during the car design.it is fixed to give the self centering action of the wheel.like a wheels of a trolley.
what me thinks is that yr steering rack is still virgin.give it a while to "loosen".....

 

[silbi]

i think i'll try the cheap option of changing fluid first for now and see how it goes

 

[carlsberg]

by lowering the front end, you have up set the castor settings--

 

[e34_lover]

Free play should be the steering column since thats the only thing left that you have not changed.

Steering not returning to centre is a bit tough. Is this rack "rebuilt"? There is an adjustment nut on the steering rack. Technically, it shouldn't be adjusted but some people do it. If it has been adjusted too tight, it can cause binding in the rack itself. Could be alignment as well though. Where did you get it done? I would recommend MPS auto in Sunway for alignment.

 

[Thule_15]

Agree with e34_lover..bro silbi,send your car to a good mechanic and ask him to adjust the steering rack.it can be adjusted.i suspect it was too tight,and prevent the rack back to neutral.

 

[silbi]

thx for the input

but a query - this new-ish rack still has a bit of freeplay...if i adjust the rack to untighten, will it make the free play more prominent?

also, which mechanic can do this adjustment? most of the workshops i got to suggested that i change the steering rack...which i dont think i wanna do again unless the rack is really really at fault

did go to WP Auto in pandan mewah - one of the mechanics tested the car and say that it's quite for the car to behave like that...another mechanic wiggled the car's front tyres hwile another one turns the steering...some weird sound appreared and they say the rack has problem...

so now im kinda confused lol

 

[silbi]

btw can anyone suggest any other good mechanics to look into this?...esp. those who are good with E36 BMW steering system and alignment...jsut need to get more professional advice on this

thx

 

[slyder]

come join the tt on Friday.

 

[silbi]

thx for invite..will try

pm me link / details of tt aite

 

[e34_lover]

I do believe its the steering column. Depending on the age of your car, that bush is around 15 years old. People never change it because they just don't know. The mechanic doesn't know either. I changed so many parts before I changed it because my mechanic didn't know what the issue was. That bush is situated right next to your headers so heat really screws it up.

It is very rare for the steering rack to be causing that much freeplay that you can feel it. I changed my steering column and play was gone.

With regards to who can fix your rack, I don't know. I fix my own cars now. Sorry!

Could you clarify what you mean by this?

one of the mechanics tested the car and say that it's quite for the car to behave like that

By the way, did you get your old steering rack back or did they keep it...

 

[silbi]

hi bro...

typo here

one of the mechanics tested the car and say that it's quite normal for the car to behave like that...made me more confused lol

and been reading about tramlining....not sure if my problem is due to that

yuppp steering column...will look into it

btw ...i got my old steering rack back...not sure what to do with it lol...any takers for it?

 

[silbi]

btw would doing this help? replacing the flex disc @ guibo

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=278999

 

[e34_lover]

btw would doing this help? replacing the flex disc @ guibo

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=278999

Bro, thats the part I have been talking about the whole time lol!

The difference is because we have RHD cars, our parts are different. We cant buy the guibo by itself. This is because our steering guibo sits right next to the headers so there is a shield around it to protect it from the heat unlike the LHD cars. You have to buy the whole lower column. Check my previous PM again bro, I am pretty sure I explained everything there.

Its not normal, don't go back to that mechanic lol. You will experience tramlining if the car is pulling you into a certain direction, not so much steering not returning to centre and play in the steering.

 

[silbi]

ooo...so gotta buy the whole lower column? anyone know how much this would cost? and where to get it / get i replaced?

got it aligned from some proper guys already...improved a lil bit but still tramlining...the shops blamed my 'new' loose freeplay rack and the 17" tyres for it which kinda make sense to some extent...

btw = if i do change the column would this cure that dreaded tramlining feel?

 

[AZM]

I have similar problem long time ago. Was quoted close to 1k for the lower column assy.
After searching the internet and google, decided to mod it. Rubber guibo was replaced with alumunium spacer.
It transformed the car and give me the kind of handling that I'm looking for. This was done in 2009 and i'm still driving it daily. No bad side effect so far..
Not sure which shop can mod this for you though. I DIY it last time. I have shared the spacer drawing with few members from this forum. Not sure how many have done the mod though..

I remember posting the DIY process in this forum back then but unable to trace it anymore. Went mising already.
Link below is the thread that I use as guide and my posetd feedback in BMW-SG forum.

http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/classi...e-diy-part-i-z3-steering-rack-retrofit-3.html

 

[Alex5522]

Just sharing my experience on my rides but i am not sure my E46 case is similar to yours or not. It did happen to me before that my steering behavior as you describe it's wont return to center but my steering feel heavy, not sure about yours ? After consult few doctors and finally i my self noticed my engine moulting was the culprit. The engine mounting was koyak so the engine sitting slightly on the steering rack and cause the steering rack not working as usual.
If your case are similar to mine, then try to change your engine mounting should be fine. Wish you gud luck.

 

[silbi]

AZM - interesting mod...too bad the link is lost...will try to google for something simlar

Alex - have already changed the engine mounting a few weeks ago...still tramlining etc...but not as bad as before

still thinking of other economical ways...now it's on lowered spring...might just go back to stock height if it can massively reduce this effect