Steering Pulling to Direction of Last Turn

[jbruch694]

I just got through a suspension overhaul, I put in all new bushings (poly control arm and RTAB, all the rest OEM) the typical H&R / Bilstein sport combo, new tie rods, ball joints, control arms, wheel bearings, the whole shebang. I got an alignment immediately after. Since then, I have noticed the steering will pull to the direction I turned the wheel last. I.e. if I last made a left turn, the wheel will pull to the left, if I just made a right the wheel will pull to the right. It isn't a ridiculous amount of pull but it is enough to be pretty goddamn annoying on a 400 mile drive. I looked this up and found this thread on a similar issue but no conclusion was reached: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=187743. The consensus seemed to be that the OP forgot to put the strut back together with the washer that goes between the upper spring perch and top mount and they are getting too close and binding.

I looked around and a few days after I had everything back together I noticed I had two rather large beefy washers laying on my bench, and I didn't recall putting any washers between the upper front spring perch and the mount, and there is one on the diagram. Would the absence of this washer cause this issue? I just wanted to get some opinions before I take the front struts apart again; while it isn't difficult to do I am at University and I have to borrow tools and space to do so.

Also, would I need to worry about any of the mounts being chewed up from this binding when I take it apart or could I just slap the washers on that are supposed to be there and be good to go? I have only put like 550 miles on the suspension so far and 90% of that was straight line highway driving.

Thanks, JB

[tonerrrr]

Those washers are required... this was what my car was doing:



This is the washer #8... this pic is from an M3 realoem.com but it should be similar if not the same:

[jbruch694]

Awesome, thanks. I actually noticed movement like that when I was testing it and I noticed that terrible noise once I drove it. I must have just totally spaced while putting the struts back together cause I forgot #4 as well, though that isn't nearly as important. Did you see anything screwed up when you fixed it or did you just throw the washer on and be done with it?

[tonerrrr]

You should be fine man, I drove for a week or two (I only really work on my cars weekends) and it was all good.

Yes although not as immediately important, you want the #4 to make sure the top nut doesn't move!

[jbruch694]

Alright thanks. One more question, if I JUST replaced all of the lock nuts (i.e. top strut mount nuts, ball joint nuts, tie rod nuts, and shock nuts, will I have to get all new ones again or can I get away with reusing them, maybe with some loctite?

BTW nice ride, we have the same color, year and model!

[tonerrrr]

Thank you!

I did not replace mine. They are supposedly one time use though. The nuts just have "locking material" (nylon?) in them from what I can tell. Maybe someone else can chime in on this but mine haven't moved and are fine.

[jbruch694]

Thank you good sir. Now comes the challenge of fixing this in the university parking deck with 2 jack stands, a widowmaker and limited hand tools.

[tonerrrr]

Good luck! Have a buddy to help you! Never underestimate a second pair of eyes.

[jlevie]

When replacing all of those suspension parts, did you also replace the upper strut bearings? If not, get them before you tear down the struts for the missing washers.

[tonerrrr]

When replacing all of those suspension parts, did you also replace the upper strut bearings? If not, get them before you tear down the struts for the missing washers.

This is a good idea, they should be $30ish each iirc, the one in my video was replaced as I ordered it initially thinking that was my problem and my steering has been awesome since!

[JGood]

I had the same issue, and as others said, the spring hat was rubbing on the strut mount due to the lack of the washer. I spaced it up, and the problem went away. The steering became much lighter, too.

[jbruch694]

Yes, I have new mounts on (which include new bearings). The old ones were falling apart. Thanks.

Edit: Glad I am not the only one who has forgotten to put this washer back in!

[jlevie]

Yes, I have new mounts on (which include new bearings). The old ones were falling apart. Thanks.

Edit: Glad I am not the only one who has forgotten to put this washer back in!

That is a common error, the first time you do a suspension...

[jbruch694]

That is a common error, the first time you do a suspension...

Well, this project popped my suspension cherry so there we go!

[JGood]

It's also something to look for when going to camber plates or changing anything with the spring hat/bushing/mount setup. I fibbed a bit when I said I made the same mistake. My issue was actually an aftermarket camber plate with a poorly designed spherical bearing that required extra clearance via a spacer equal to 2-3 of the factory washers. I just simplified my description because I knew it was the same symptoms as what would happen if you leave out the washer in the factory setup.

So, in short, always check the clearance between those parts when reassembling them, especially when aftermarket parts are involved.