V.Light Steering and Bad Economy

[a3ternus]

Well,lately my steering has lost much of the feeling it used to have and to be more precise it s now much lighter in straight line motion...
Any ideas ?!? What should I check out ?!? Other than that the car feels normal (xept that it still has a lousy economy or around 23mpg or 12lt/100km).
Thanks for any help...
BTW,the car is an E30 318i (non cat,pre'88 model).
A3TeRnuS.213

[BavarianBimmer]

12lt/100km is pretty normal dude
my car consumes (M10 1.8 ) between 10 and 16lt/100km it depends on your driving style

your steering problem is 'cause your pump needs some upgrading i think she's weared out :?
maybe some guys on the board has more experience with power steering

[a3ternus]

Pump ?!? But the steering is no power steering !
Any more ideas ?!?
(Thanx BavarianBimmer!)
A3TeRnuS

[a3ternus]

Noone huh?!? Damn,I always seem to (NOT) provoke any answers to what I m askin :p
A3TeRnuS

[sovann]

I have a similar problem - the steering is a bit vague on centre. I can also feel a slight knocking around centre as well.

It turned out the rubber coupling between the two steering column uni joints had persihed a bit, and was allowing a bit of play/rattle. Maybe check yours. I want to replace mine, but can't be stuffed at the moment.

[a3ternus]

Is this expensive ?!?
Can i do it myself or i should let the dealer do this ?!?
A3TeRnuS

[a3ternus]

Yeah,I got a wheel alignment and all is normal again...thanx and sorry if I m a ballbreaker sometimes (Which I definately am :p).Anyway...
A3TeRnuS

[SA E30]

Atleast u haven't been told too change ur O2 sensor, I looked every where for mine and I couldn't find it, only later did I find out that non cat cars don't have an O2 sensor

[a3ternus]

Doh!
I didnt know my car didnt have one either :p
A3TeRnuS