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    #1

    steering issue

    I just drove my 318is up highway 17 for the first time and was terrified. I have driven this hundreds of times with various cars and the 318is is the scariest by far.

    I have a serious steering issue. The car doesnt have power steering and has a steering rack from a 95 m3. The car just got aligned. By all means the car should handle great and it does. At speeds from 0-50, the car handles like a go kart. Past this speed, my issue becomes very prevalent. There is a ridiculous amount of play when the wheel is at its dead zone.

    At very high speeds, especially on 17 which is very fast with minimal turns, the steering has no feedback. You can shake the back and forth and there will be little response.

    Coming from cars with power steering (like my Audi S4), the steering is heavy and I can feel feedback immediately. Maybe because this is the first time I drove it, Im not used to it. It just feels like a disaster waiting to happen if I get into a situation.

    Keep in mind; I dont know jack shit about the inner workings of cars... just yet (which is why I have this car). What could be causing this issue? I want to tighten up the steering more than anything i can do with this car. Can anyone clue me into what might be the issue? Anyone have similar problems?
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    #2
    If the steering feels very well below 50 but not above... It wouldnt have to nessescarily be steering components that are the problem. Possibly cupped/ oddly worn tires? Normally if there is play in the ball joints or the steering joint you would notice at low speed as well. You could have a shop check them if you aren't sure what to look for. Possibly try swapping the front and back wheels/tires to see if the problem changes in any way. If it does, then you know that it is tire related. If the problem is exactly the same, then the problem is something else.
    RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
    Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
    DaveCN = Old Man
    My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



    Originally posted by george graves
    If people keep quoting me in their sig, I'm going to burn this motherfucker down.

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      #3
      The steering issue exists at all speeds but I guess its not so terrifying at 20mph as opposed to 90mph. I wanted to spend as little cash with mechanics as possible but I think its unavoidable.

      Thanks for the input. :D

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        #4
        If it exists at ALL speeds, then it is probably steering component related and they should have checked these parts before aligning the car. It is absolutely pointless to align a car with tire pressures off or parts not being in good shape. Probably tie rods or control arms would be the issue then, but make them aware that you JUST got it aligned and they should have checked these before having you pay for an alignment. Now, if you replace a tie rod because it is bad, it would have to be aligned again.
        RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
        Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
        DaveCN = Old Man
        My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



        Originally posted by george graves
        If people keep quoting me in their sig, I'm going to burn this motherfucker down.

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          #5
          If you replace a tie rod....replace them all

          your steering rack is out of an E36 so it is not a direct fit, some fabrication is needed to make it work properly.

          Check all the steering knuckle parts (where the steering column attaches to the steering rack) make sure all that shit is in good shape (tight, no play ect ect)

          Check your wheel bearings too (jack up front of car and give the tires a wiggle (12 o clock and 6 o clock, 3 o clock and 9 o clock) you can check your tie rods this way too)

          If the car feels unsafe it probably is so don't be lazy.

          Hope this helps you a little.

          If you would like to talk to me I may be able to explain better on the phone, pm me and I will give you a number to contact me.
          -Andy

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            #6
            Airbag e30s, especially 318iS e30s for some reason, are prone to the upper steering column nut coming loose. It is a 32mm? nut at the base of the steering column inside the car. If you pull the knee bolster off then you will see the nut Im talking about. The ones Ive seen have been gold in color but you never know.


            Check it out. That nut needs to be TIGHT







            Taylor
            Need a performance chip for you BMW? Shoot me a PM and I'll get you taken care of!!
            Taylor- Follow me on Instagram @e30_fiend

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              #7
              yes, its a 32. i had to tighten it on my 318is.
              http://instagram.com/dslovn.drives

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                #8
                Whoa, if that is the problem... LOL. That would be the best fix ever.

                I haven't been wrenching on my car yet but the previous owner informed my tie rods are also from the 95 M3 that the steering rack came from and that they were new. I'm going to try that fix and see if it is causing this issue.

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