Steering clunk

[idickers]

I've got a clunk in the steering rack that I'm trying to sort out. I have a '91 318is, and two years ago I replaced all the front bushings and lower control arm. Over the past couple of months I've noticed a vibration in the steering wheel at speeds greater than about 50 mph. I put the car up on jackstands and tested the front wheels for play. There is no play in the wheel vertically, but I can get about 1/16" play horizontally, which is accompanied by a "knocking" sound, which sounds like it is coming from the steering rack itself.
Any ideas for the cause, and is there any adjustment in the rack?
Thanks for any suggestions.

[E30_fiend]

No adjustments in the rack but make sure of two things. Make sure the steering rack to subframe bolts are tight. I've seen instances where they have worked loose. The other thing to check is the large nut on the steering column under the dash. The late model steering columns are notorious for having those nuts back off a bit. It's s big nut and hard to miss. 32mm IIRC.

Good luck


Taylor

[lambo]

The late model steering columns are notorious for having those nuts back off a bit. It's s big nut and hard to miss. IIRC.

Yepp. I tightened this and it reduced some of my clunking.

[idickers]

I went out and checked again, and the rack was bolted down tight. I forgot that this only happens when the key is out of the ignition and the steering is locked. When the steering is unlocked, there is no play and no noise. Is this perhaps normal function when the steering is locked?