Loose Steering

[isthistherealcaesarspalace]

Bought my 318is couple months back with blown shocks and heated springs, recently I installed a GC kit ( http://www.ground-control-store.com/.../II=912/CA=242)

The car feels amazing now but after the install the steering wheel feels...loose and if I completely turn the wheel to a lock it come back as if its feels like its spring loaded but if I take a mild turn and let go of the steering wheel it doesn't even come back and continues going into that direction

I have not aligned the car yet but I don't feel that is a major impact

[mr ilia]

You did not assemble front shock towers properly. Sounds like you missed to install a washer below the strut bearring.

[MattAvino]

How's the PS fluid?
How are the tie rods?
The rubber vibration damper in the steering linkage might be toast.
Your rack might be completely under maintained (old fluid for a long time) thus causing premature wear and shitty steering quality.

[isthistherealcaesarspalace]

mr ilia - I have installed the washer and i just double checked it and its definitely there

It weird kinda feels like the newer bmws eps steering loose at low speeds tightens up at higher speeds but doesn't straighten its self out unless at full lock

[isthistherealcaesarspalace]

MattAvino now that you brought up ps fluid it was starting to have a little whine couple weeks back so I just stopped at the nearest gas station and bought ps fluid and thats when its started feeling like that but I just thought I was used how it was prior to fresh fluid

[Vivek]

Your rack might be completely under maintained (old fluid for a long time) thus causing premature wear and shitty steering quality.

You don't change our rack fluid, and the PS fluid is only for hydraulic propulsion, it has nothing to do with lubrication.

Also, dumb question that has to be asked...OP, you did use ATF, not just PS fluid, right?

[///digitalme]

i had really loose steering as of 2 days ago, until i replaced the control arm bushings...have you checked yours?

[Exodus_2pt0]

Ok people... Slowwwww down.

Have your alignment done. Your tires are probably toe'd out a few degrees. This will cause exactly what you are describing.

If the only change has been suspension, and it has been a upgrade with better parts, then does it really make sense that something else broke? Do the Alignment, I am 99% positive that is the cause of your problem. K.I.S.S. people.

[Exodus_2pt0]

You don't change our rack fluid, and the PS fluid is only for hydraulic propulsion, it has nothing to do with lubrication.

A power steering system uses the fluid for lubrication of the pump assembly. If the pump starts to wear, it will make a friendly deposit of metallic sand into the p/s system. This metal will shred seals, and cause a leak. Power steering fluid should be flushed completely from time to time. To change it properly you should be using a few quarts. Suck fluid out of the reservoir, start engine, turn wheel lock to lock, and repeat. This way you do change the fluid out of the rack itself.

However, again, you guys are jumping too far here. The problem is in the alignment.

[graphikg]

Ya, alignment needs to be done. But if you also search, some people talk about loose feeling steering that find the culprit to be either a loose nut, or even down to the steering knuckle needing attention. I have a "loose" feeling, and can feel a jiggle in the steering wheel when I hit a bump on the freeway. I dont like the feeling and wanted to check on what it is thinking something was loose, but found out everything is very nice and tight. I think I have to look into the knuckle.

[Vivek]

A power steering system uses the fluid for lubrication of the pump assembly. If the pump starts to wear, it will make a friendly deposit of metallic sand into the p/s system. This metal will shred seals, and cause a leak. Power steering fluid should be flushed completely from time to time. To change it properly you should be using a few quarts. Suck fluid out of the reservoir, start engine, turn wheel lock to lock, and repeat. This way you do change the fluid out of the rack itself.

I agree with just about everything you said...but it still has nothing to do with lubricating the rack itself.

[Exodus_2pt0]

the PS fluid is only for hydraulic propulsion, it has nothing to do with lubrication.

it still has nothing to do with lubricating the rack itself.

Being corrected isn't a bad thing, look at it as a learning experience. That being said, nothing that the OP mentioned is a fault of the rack anyway.