1991 M3.
However, sometimes (it’s happened maybe 5 times over 750 miles) I would get a slight disconnected feel from the steering wheel when going up or down that 1” lip at the base of most driveways. There is an audible metallic sound that goes along with the disconnected feel.
Now at 60mph a very noticeable (visibly, as well as by feel) shimmy at the steering wheel.
Robert at E30 MotorWerks checked the front suspension, and everything seemed fine except for some play at the lower end of the steering column.
Airbag cars have two-piece steering columns, connected with a collar-type nut (I may be using the wrong term here - see the image at the end of this post for a visual of what it is I am referring to). Even though that nut is tight, Robert feels that the bushing that the nut clamps down onto may become dry, brittle, and cracked and is causing the play.
I jacked up the car and grabbed the steering shaft where it comes out of the firewall and moved it little bit. My dad was my spotter inside the car - while I was moving the column from under the car, from inside he saw the entire column move in unison. There was no independent movement of the two halves of the steering column shafts, nothing that would indicate that there is slack where the two halves of the column meet.
When the shimmy happens, if I turn the wheel slightly, the shimmy goes away. Based on this we decided the shimmy was caused by a worn lower steering column swivel joint.
That cut down the shimmy by 70%. Not good enough, obviously.
I thought that maybe it is the tires afterall. Sheesh.
It’s either the tires or spacers, I felt. But, could 5mm hubcentric spacers be a problem?
At 60mph the wheel is dead quiet.
At 70mph I have a slight shimmy.
Argh!
Going back to this:
However, sometimes I would get a slight disconnected feel from the wheel when going up or down that 1” lip at the base of most driveways. There is an audible metallic sound that goes along with the disconnected feel.
What to do now?
Could it be the steering rack?
I haven't had the car aligned though...
Thank you in advance for any insight. help, advice, direction, and or personal experiences you can share.
- I bought the car with OE size Toyo all-season tires mounted on stock rims. No shimmy at the steering wheel
However, sometimes (it’s happened maybe 5 times over 750 miles) I would get a slight disconnected feel from the steering wheel when going up or down that 1” lip at the base of most driveways. There is an audible metallic sound that goes along with the disconnected feel.
- I bought a set of E38 Style 5s and mounted Maxxis MA V1 tires (225/45/16). Road Force balanced.
- I am running 5mm hubcentric spacers in front and 12mm hubcentric spacers at the back.
Now at 60mph a very noticeable (visibly, as well as by feel) shimmy at the steering wheel.
- I bought 5mm longer lug bolts for the front, to no avail.
Robert at E30 MotorWerks checked the front suspension, and everything seemed fine except for some play at the lower end of the steering column.
Airbag cars have two-piece steering columns, connected with a collar-type nut (I may be using the wrong term here - see the image at the end of this post for a visual of what it is I am referring to). Even though that nut is tight, Robert feels that the bushing that the nut clamps down onto may become dry, brittle, and cracked and is causing the play.
I jacked up the car and grabbed the steering shaft where it comes out of the firewall and moved it little bit. My dad was my spotter inside the car - while I was moving the column from under the car, from inside he saw the entire column move in unison. There was no independent movement of the two halves of the steering column shafts, nothing that would indicate that there is slack where the two halves of the column meet.
When the shimmy happens, if I turn the wheel slightly, the shimmy goes away. Based on this we decided the shimmy was caused by a worn lower steering column swivel joint.
- I replaced the swivel joint.
That cut down the shimmy by 70%. Not good enough, obviously.
I thought that maybe it is the tires afterall. Sheesh.
- I borrowed Archie’s brand-new Apex Arc’s with new Toyos (fronts only). His wheels cut down the shimmy by another 20%, so now I had a 90% reduction in shimmy.
It’s either the tires or spacers, I felt. But, could 5mm hubcentric spacers be a problem?
- I bought and installed the Dunlop Direzza ZIIs. Road Force balanced.
At 60mph the wheel is dead quiet.
At 70mph I have a slight shimmy.
Argh!
Going back to this:
However, sometimes I would get a slight disconnected feel from the wheel when going up or down that 1” lip at the base of most driveways. There is an audible metallic sound that goes along with the disconnected feel.
What to do now?
Could it be the steering rack?
I haven't had the car aligned though...
Thank you in advance for any insight. help, advice, direction, and or personal experiences you can share.
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