I am shaking and my steering wheel won't return

[spaceshuttle]

So my steering shakes very bad from 55mph to about 70mph I just go new tires so that's not the problem could it be CAB? And when ever I turn i feels like my car just wants to keep turning and it won't spin the wheel back straight I don't really no where to start with this. Any advice?

[DoriftuEvo]

When my CABs went I heard clunking on every turn, brake, and accel. so you'd know if they were bad. Sometimes a cone will take out my power steering belt and make my steering less willing to return to home position. Get under your car with a flashlight and start looking at and pulling on every connection to see if something is loose.

[jlevie]

Have the suspension inspected by an experienced BMW tech and repair as indicated. Be prepared for that inspection to reveal that the control arms, control arm bushings, tie rods, shocks and upper strut mounts need to be replaced in the front and that subframe bushings, rear trailing arm bushings, shocks and shock mounts need to be replaced in the rear. Its is also possible that wheel bearings may be needed.

[AHR[e30]]

do you happen to have an aftermarket steering wheel??? cause if so. the reason for it not returning is that theres not spacers in between the steering wheel column and in between the steering wheel and hub. as for the shake i have the same problem, and it could possible be the brakes, they might be warped or so, dont quote me, its just a hunch and what a friend told me over the phone , i havent got the chance to really check it out so yeah, if you do find out whats wrong i would like to know what it was.. hopefully i helped

[DoriftuEvo]

How exactly does a steering wheel affect the steering return characteristics? Are you saying something could be rubbing or causing too much friction with an aftermarket wheel?

[AHR[e30]]

^^ too me yeah thats what happen, i needed spacers so that in wont rub

[bmwstephen]

is it not returning at all or is there at least some return?

[spaceshuttle]

Its like I will make a turn and it returns a little bit but it still pulls me hard to whatever side I turned to I don't have an aftermarket wheel but I do have a e36 rack but I've never had any problems with it. So ya I just don't really know ha

[Wh33lhop]

Do you know your way around the car? Then get under there and start looking for things. Is the PS operable? Is there play in ball joints/tie rods/wheel bearings? Do your CABs appear to be intact? Have a shop check your alignment. If you exhaust all your ideas and all the ideas you come across after spending some time SEARCHING, then I would take it to a shop who knew what they were doing.

On a side note, rotors are very rarely actually warped. Even if you get the wobble/brake throbbing sensation that everyone says is typical of warped rotors, it's very likely just uneven pad transfer on your rotor from when you stopped on your hot brakes. This can't easily be visually detected, but can be cured by running some abrasive pads like Hawk Blues hard, turning or replacing the rotors.

[bryant.cw]

CABs do not have to knock or look totally trashed to need replacement. They stock ones are weak right out of the box. Look at them for any dryness and small tears or wear. Wheel shaking could also be unbalanced wheels, wheels out of round, or a bad alignment with a funny wear pattern on the tires.

Pull firmly on the control arms and listen/look for looseness or play at any of the three connection points (at the wheel pivot point, the subframe pivot point, or the control arm bushing) Do the same for the tie rods at both ends. With weight off the wheels try to rock them back and forth at 12 and 6 o'clock, and 3 and 9. Spin them to see if they are dragging at any point. Have the wheels checked for balance and roundness.

Check for power steering system function.

[spaceshuttle]

okay so i checked the pump and belt they look fine it's not leaking and i have the right amount of fluid in it. I am going to get an alignment tomorrow see what happens