My steering isn't as responsive as it should be, help?

[BMC227]

Hey, I've noticed that the steering on my e30 isn't as responsive as it should be, it feels like it's "floaty" and also at high speeds it feels very floaty. I've replaced the tie rod assemblies and every other front end suspension/steering component. I've checked the wheel alignment several times and checked everything thoroughly but still can't find my issue.

Can anyone help me please?

[Philo]

How are your tires? Is this a new problem?

[bme30]

What's the toe in or toe out?

[BMC227]

The tyres are new and i only just started driving the car due to getting it restored. Sorry i wouldn't know what the toe in/toe out is.

[browntown]

If you're sure your rack / tie rods are good - go get an alignment.

[BMC227]

If you're sure your rack / tie rods are good - go get an alignment.

Like i said i've replaced all the front end suspension/steering bits with new ones. It has been wheel aligned several times, camber is 1.5 degrees negative on both wheels etc.

[JeST]

Like i said i've replaced all the front end suspension/steering bits with new ones. It has been wheel aligned several times, camber is 1.5 degrees negative on both wheels etc.

What exactly do you mean you replaced all the front end suspension/steering bits? Exactly which components are you referring to? If a front control arm bushing is worn it could give a real shitty steering response and it's also a quick look to see if it needs replacing.

[browntown]

Sorry, I was just responding to your question about toe in/out. These are specs you would get from your alignment shop.

[JeST]

The tyres are new and i only just started driving the car due to getting it restored. Sorry i wouldn't know what the toe in/toe out is.

This is a picture for toe in or toe out to give you an idea. Specs should be printed on your alignment sheet (if you received one) and if you didn't receive one I would question the alignment ...

[BMC227]

What exactly do you mean you replaced all the front end suspension/steering bits? Exactly which components are you referring to? If a front control arm bushing is worn it could give a real shitty steering response and it's also a quick look to see if it needs replacing.

I replaced the following:

New control arms
New M3 offset bushes
New tie rod assy
New steering coupling
New shocks
New strut mounts
New engine mounts
New sway bar bushes + adjustable links

[BMC227]

This is a picture for toe in or toe out to give you an idea. Specs should be printed on your alignment sheet (if you received one) and if you didn't receive one I would question the alignment ...

What i meant was, i don't know the toe in/toe out specs on the car at the moment.

[Ian Bowers]

Have you ever driven an E30 before this ? The stock steering rack isn't super responsive, and it has a ton of travel lock-to-lock.

[BMC227]

Have you ever driven an E30 before this ? The stock steering rack isn't super responsive, and it has a ton of travel lock-to-lock.

Yeah dude i've owned a few before this but my problem is, at high speeds (150km/h) the steering feels floaty.. as if the wheels aren't sticking to the road as they should.

[Earendil]

Yeah dude i've owned a few before this but my problem is, at high speeds (150km/h) the steering feels floaty.. as if the wheels aren't sticking to the road as they should.

My suggestions would be:

1. Don't do 150km/h in a downpour.
2. Remove all the bodies from the trunk, and the lead weights from the rear bumper.

Otherwise, do you have something aerodynamically @#$%ed on your car?

Jokes aside, it doesn't make much sense to me that you'd have a floating wheel at speed, but not driving slower.

Oh, check your tire pressure! The only time I've felt "floaty" steering at freeway speeds was when I was driving a truck that had the trailer incorrectly loaded (front end of truck didn't have weight on it) and when someone put the maximum tire pressure in the front wheels of the car :curse:

[BMC227]

Thought i'd let you guys know that i found the problem, the new inner tie rods that i installed were faulty! so i swapped them over with another set of new ones and the steering is great!