Steering and Tie rod question/issue

[Earendil]

Let this post be a reminder that despite what often floats across this subsection, this area is actually the Springs, Shocks, Sways & Steering section :)

So, I just replaced the following:
Springs, control arms, and tie rods.

I know I need an alignment, but I used the old measuring tape method to get as close as I could. What I found was that with the wheel locked center, that I had to adjust one tie rod almost all the way screwed in. I took it for a spin and it drove better than I thought it would for not having an alignment, in fact I bet most people couldn't tell anything was off about it.

Here is the issue though: My steering wheel is no longer centered. Now I know what you're thinking, it's the same thing I was thinking, that tie rod I adjusted all the way in has obviously put the center point off. And now we come to why I'm posting: The steering wheel is off in the wrong direction. The tie rod that I have screwed almost all the way in would need to be screwed in FURTHER to get the steering wheel moving back towards center.

All that with the knowledge that the car drove fine.

I figure a couple things could be going on, and I'm wondering what y'all think.

1. I fucked something up, either by bending it or not bolting it down all the way.
2. The steering wheel its self is not centered, the old tie rods had more adjustment to them, and whoever aligned the car last skewed it to one side in a way that the new tie rods can't compensate for.
3. The wheels aren't nearly as aligned as I think they are.

If the problem is #2 or #3, I can just take it to a shop and have it aligned with no regard for the position of the steering wheel. I know how to remove and re-position the steering wheel, I've done it many times.
But if it's #1 it would be stupid to have an alignment shop do any work on it, right?

I'll put the car back up on blocks and check things out, but somehow I don't think I'll be able to confirm or deny #1. Is there any way to verify #2? Now that I've driven it I'll re-measure and see how she sits. The toe was within 1/16th of an inch prior to driving it the first time though.

Thanks guys!

[jlevie]

To do this right, pull the inner tie rod boots back and center the rack. That will be when the extension of the rack shafts is equal on both sides of the rack. Then w/o disturbing the rack remove and center the steering wheel. Finish by adjusting the tie rods until the wheels are visually parallel before taking the car to an alignment rack. The exposed threads on both tie rods should be approximately equal. If not something is wrong. One possibility would be that one of the tie rods isn't for an E30.

Oh yeah, after centering the rack and steering wheel, mark the shaft and wheel so you can put it back on centered if it gets removed later.

[Earendil]

To do this right, pull the inner tie rod boots back and center the rack. That will be when the extension of the rack shafts is equal on both sides of the rack. Then w/o disturbing the rack remove and center the steering wheel. Finish by adjusting the tie rods until the wheels are visually parallel before taking the car to an alignment rack. The exposed threads on both tie rods should be approximately equal. If not something is wrong. One possibility would be that one of the tie rods isn't for an E30.

Oh yeah, after centering the rack and steering wheel, mark the shaft and wheel so you can put it back on centered if it gets removed later.

Great! If I understand you correctly, with the boots removed the threaded female end of the steering rack will stick out of the rack equally on both sides when the rack is centered? I'll do that and see if that gets it closer to center before taking it into a shop.

Once again, you're the man. If you ever decide to move to the NW I will buy you a house* to live in, just so that I can make sure you live next door to me :D

Cheers!


*what constitutes a house will be defined by current budget, but I promise at least a roof and one wall.