Steering wheel *disconnecting* from steering rack, wtf?!?!

[Erick]

Ok, so here's what's up. Just got back from a drift competition today that I started having some terrible/scary issues.

It's all on video and I'll get it uploaded to show you guys, but here's what's going on.

I enter a turn and countersteer. The car catches too much angle and as I turn in to correct it, nothing happens. Like for a solid second or two there's NO response between my steering inputs and the front wheels.

Then out of nowhere, it catches again, and miraculously everything is still lined up. The car drives straight, steering wheel is lined up the same, etc etc.

Anyone ever run into anything similar to this? Someone mentioned that I might have "air" in my power steering system, but that didn't make much sense

Any help greatly appreciated.

- Erick

[SpecM]

yea, "air" in the PS system is BS, it doesn't work like that

maybe worn-out tie rod end/ball joints? or a damaged rack?

[Erick]

They are brand new control arms and brand new lemfoerder tie rods (inners and outers). The rack is used, which is what I'm learning towards.

But the fact that it always centers itself after it "catches" again is what really throws me off. It's almost like there's a "clutch slipping" in the system, when I know it's all mechanical. Even if the PS failed on me, I'd barely feel a difference.... but if anything, all it would require is a bit extra steering effort.

Gotta tell you, going into a turn sideways at 70-75mph and having this happen several times is pretty scary.

- Erick

[BTP325ic]

dam that sucks it started fucking up while drifting glad you didn't smack a wall or anything.

[Erick]

Here's video:



Mind you, it's not understeer. I have outside cam footage too and the wheel is still clearly countersteering.

I definately just counted. That's three entire turns on the steering wheel before it "caught" back.

[movementality]

scary...
nice save though

[Erick]

I got more. It happened every time starting EXACTLY when the qualifying runs started. My very last run it slipped slightly and I was able to hold the slide still. Even though it was very sketchy.

There's definately no way that I can let this go by though.

My clutch is definately gone too. Sweet becuase the PO of the 535iS I got as a donor told me it was a brand new clutch too.

- Erick

[Philo]

It's a long shot, but could it be the rubber disc at the top of the steering knuckle? If it was torn up, I could see it flexing, and then eventually catching.

[Erick]

I thought about that, but 3 whole turns? At half a turn, the bolts would be hitting each other.

I am just trying to see if anyone has any suggestions before I have a chance to dig into it. That way I'm not looking at every single little thing.

- Erick

[Jonny Cash]

Never happened to me, either way you'll need to pull it.

My clutch is definately gone too. Sweet becuase the PO of the 535iS I got as a donor told me it was a brand new clutch too.

From what we talked about, that kid was obviously a dishonest little prick.

I texttt you back. I dont know the exact differences in the E36 racks, mines a 95 M3 that I planned on using. But I have access to a 328is rack, that I could probably score for cheap.

[SpecM]

maybe the splines on the column are stripped?

[Erick]

Ok, so after looking at the outside camera on the computer instead of the small LCD screen on the camcorder, I'm going with a fried clutch being the culprit.

It seems like my revs are all over the redline, but the rear tires are catching grip. The steering timing with how the front wheel reacts looks to be fairly on point (although it felt really loose when I remember driving the car)

Never seen a clutch slip that bad though.

Time for e34 M5 clutch so I can install my single mass flywheel.

- Erick

[BTP325ic]

more in car vids please.