my suspension

[zandi]

So far, I have:

New Control Arms, plus new stock bushings
New Tie rods
H&R Sport springs, Bilstein Sports
Ground control RSM's
Falken Azeni's Sports just installed

The handling still isn't satisfactory to my liking, the steering wheel still feels really loose and the ride isn't so smooth but I'm thinking thats normal because of the H&Rs.

[nickmp0wer]

ok, search for e36 steering rack on this board

[Mystikal]

It rides stiff because of the Bilsteins. They have high compression valving.

[zandi]

What about strut bearings, could they possibly be very worn causing this loose steering?

[Jon325i]

What about strut bearings, could they possibly be very worn causing this loose steering?

Not likely. Seeing you replaced the control arms and tie rods, my next guess would be to look at the steering rack. When you did the work on your car, did you examine said steering rack? What is the overall condition of the dust boots at the ends? Any signs of leaking fluid? BMW steering racks use ATF (Dexrol 3 or 4) for power steering fluid so if you see any of this stuff coating the outside of the steering rack or on your driveway, you may be due for a replacement. Should the worst case scenario apply, contact http://www.meridianautoparts.com/. They offer quality rebuilds and are great to work with. Experience talking here :D

Jon

[zandi]

My steering rack doesn't leak anything, changed my tie rods and didn't notice any leaks

[zandi]

So then would it have to be the strut bearings or is that just how the steering rack for e30s are?

[KenC]

I'm guessing that some of the 'loose' feeling has to do with the stock control arm bushings. Try some Treehouse Racing CABs... they'll increase the caster.

You might also try to increase the negative camber on the front wheels.

[nickmp0wer]

search about e36 or z3 steering racks on this forum like i said, then get the right parts and put one in your car

[zandi]

I'm guessing that some of the 'loose' feeling has to do with the stock control arm bushings. Try some Treehouse Racing CABs... they'll increase the caster.

You might also try to increase the negative camber on the front wheels.

The alignment guy said that since my car has negative camber he put in toe in to compensate for it, so I tell him to put some toe out? I might go for treehouse, they sound really good but these bushings I have on now are new.

[zandi]

Also, bumps seems to affect the steering a lot, is this also maybe because of toe in?

[nando]

you don't want extra toe in regardless, and I'm having a hard time seeing how that compensates for negative camber (which is kind of the point in lowering your car).

[zandi]

you don't want extra toe in regardless, and I'm having a hard time seeing how that compensates for negative camber (which is kind of the point in lowering your car).

Alignment guy told me that the negative camber I got by putting in my H&Rs will eat up my tires fast so he put some toe in to compensate for that and make the eating away much slower.

When I put my H&Rs and bilsteins in I didn't regrease the strut mounst and I wasn't careful with them, so I'm thinking maybe I screwed them up. But, it could be actually that I have too much toe in huh?

[nando]

Alignment guy told me that the negative camber I got by putting in my H&Rs will eat up my tires fast so he put some toe in to compensate for that and make the eating away much slower.

When I put my H&Rs and bilsteins in I didn't regrease the strut mounst and I wasn't careful with them, so I'm thinking maybe I screwed them up. But, it could be actually that I have too much toe in huh?

that's nonsense.. you will still have negative camber (with just H&R sports it's doubtful that it will eat your tires up "fast") but you will also have shitty handling. so now you have the same increased tire wear as before but without the performance benefits.

[Mystikal]

Camber doesn't eat tires. Toe and waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles driving does. ;)