E36 Steering Rack Return Issues

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  • Landrunner
    Wrencher
    • Aug 2011
    • 221

    #1

    E36 Steering Rack Return Issues

    So I have had a brand new ZF E36 M3 rack in my car for a few months now and I have had the car aligned, the knuckle adjusted several times, and I still experience slow or no steering return when moving the wheel 20 to 30 degrees in either direction. Is this normal? The shop who did it is reputable and checked it out a few times after the install for me but something still doesnt feel quite right. Brand new steering pump, all new lines, new tie rods and control arms. The car is a 1990 325i with airbag.

    UPDATE: Since I originally posted this I rebuilt the entire rear end (new wheels bearings, new subframe bushings, trailing arm bushings, half shafts, etc) as well as the entire front end (Ground Control full coilover system with shortened strut housings, new wheel bearings) and nothing has really changed. Steering still feels imprecise and return is poor.
    Last edited by Landrunner; 09-16-2012, 08:01 AM. Reason: Updated!
  • Sagaris
    R3VLimited
    • Sep 2009
    • 2243

    #2
    I had a similar issue with my Z3 rack.

    The rack hadn't been used in at least a year so the seals around the rotary valve were likely leaking fluid past them. I was ready to toss the rack and get a different one but some Lucas stop-leak seemed to help it out. It still wasn't normal though, then I changed the rack spacers from above the rack to below the rack and had better steering geometry.

    I went from having a car that was scary to drive > 30mph due to bump steer and return issues, to one that has been perfect for the last 1000 or so miles just from driving on it some more, changing the location of the spacers, and adding Lucas.

    I had everyone trying to tell me that my alignment was off, which I appreciated, but that wasn't the issue.

    Comment

    • Landrunner
      Wrencher
      • Aug 2011
      • 221

      #3
      Thanks for the reply.

      We also did the spacer swap....it helped a little bit but it still feels incorrect. This was a rebuilt rack by ZF so I'm assuming that the problem isn't that the rotary valve seals are leaking. How would I be able to tell if this were indeed the case? I too find it hard to believe that the alignment could be responsible for this.

      Comment

      • Sagaris
        R3VLimited
        • Sep 2009
        • 2243

        #4
        Of course there is always the possibility that a rebuilt unit could be bad, but I would give it some Lucas and give it a little more time to see if it can work itself out like mine did. I have never used Lucas power steering stop leak in something that it didn't improve. great product! Also double check that your steering shaft is not rubbing on the firewall where you are supposed to clearance it a bit.
        Last edited by Sagaris; 04-30-2012, 03:43 PM.

        Comment

        • Landrunner
          Wrencher
          • Aug 2011
          • 221

          #5
          Still having issues. It really destroys the driving experience. It seems that it returns more making left turns than right turns. I've had it to four different alignment shops and nothing seems to help. Anyone?

          Comment

          • jlevie
            R3V OG
            • Nov 2006
            • 13530

            #6
            Bad upper strut bearings or binding control arms would be my suspects.
            The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
            Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment

            • Landrunner
              Wrencher
              • Aug 2011
              • 221

              #7
              Both brand new.

              Comment

              • twistednut
                Wrencher
                • Nov 2007
                • 272

                #8
                Since you have an airbag car the question is, did the shop cut the firewall enough to allow the steering shaft to spin freely?
                what you did to this car is like getting a supermodel naked and willing to do anything you please. now here you are faced with ths once in a lifetime opportunity and then you squander it by making her fuck you in the butt with a 24" strap on. you are a sad, silly little boy.

                Comment

                • Landrunner
                  Wrencher
                  • Aug 2011
                  • 221

                  #9
                  Yes, there are no visible obstructions anywhere.

                  Comment

                  • Landrunner
                    Wrencher
                    • Aug 2011
                    • 221

                    #10
                    At this point can I pretty much infer that it is indeed the rack?

                    Comment

                    • Landrunner
                      Wrencher
                      • Aug 2011
                      • 221

                      #11
                      Bump!

                      Comment

                      • jlevie
                        R3V OG
                        • Nov 2006
                        • 13530

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Landrunner
                        At this point can I pretty much infer that it is indeed the rack?
                        If nothing else is binding and the front alignment is good, the rack becomes the prime suspect.
                        The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                        Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                        Comment

                        • SmokeE30
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Jun 2009
                          • 1730

                          #13
                          if there isnt biding on the steering shaft and everything u listed is indeed new i would say it could be the rack, try another one if you have already replaced everything else
                          Shawn @ Bimmerbuddies
                          Bimmerbuddies LLC
                          717-388-1256
                          2971a Roundtop Rd, Middletown PA 17057
                          bimmerbuddiesllc@gmail.com

                          Comment

                          • Landrunner
                            Wrencher
                            • Aug 2011
                            • 221

                            #14
                            That's what I am leaning towards. Anyone else?

                            Comment

                            • Landrunner
                              Wrencher
                              • Aug 2011
                              • 221

                              #15
                              bump for more idears

                              Comment

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