How do I make my steering tighter?

[BimmerHeadBri]

I had the chance recently to visit a buddy and drive a few of his cars (he has 24 of them). Anyhoo, I'm not a big Japanese car fan, but I took out his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and OMG!!!! INCREDIBLE handling car. Steering was so tight and precise and responsive. Then I was spoiled further in his Testarossa, but I digress.

Since then, driving the E30 just is not the same, it just feels.... old. I already have new CA bushings, ball joints, IE front and rear sways. I wonder HOW can I tighten up the steering feel on the E30. I am planning H&R and Bilstein sports too, but that will help with body roll and such, but really I want that tight, tight steering.

Any and all suggestions are very welcome.

Cheers.

[Van Westervelt]

Z3 Steering rack

[matt]

More caster. Are your CABs offset?

[silverfbimmer]

the Z3 steering rack swap is a large project correct?

[BimmerHeadBri]

no, the CABs are not offset. I kinda cheaped out and just got the stock replacements.

Z3 steering rack.... hmmm... I just read that steering rack R&R in the Tech section. Sounds like a big job. Possible, but also availability of finding a Z3 rack here in Calgary, Canada.

Anything "simple" that can tighten things up?

Thanks.

[Ferret]

Try running more negative camber and/or a little toe-out on the front.

[sticksdaman]

adjustable sway bar end links and m3 offset CABs


the CABs make hell of a difference in tightness (steering response)

i got some m3 offset CABs for 53 dollars on ebay...

[BimmerHeadBri]

I have the IE big @$$ sway bars with adjustable end links already. I just had some stock CABs installed (old ones were cracked) it did improve some, but still not tight tight tight. Maybe the Treehouse CABs would make the bigger difference. Mind you, a Z3 rack "sounds" cool and a fun winter project. (yes winter is around the corner here).

By the way, How the heck should I be adjusting the Sway bar links? there are 3 holes and I have NO clue which one I should be using. Suggestions?

[matt]

Farther from the bar is softer, closer to the bar is stiffer.

[BimmerHeadBri]

Ok, that is simple enough. Now do the wheels need to be weighted (on ramps so the weight of the car is on it) or can it be done just on jack stands with the wheels in the air?

[matt]

You're just putting the bolts in different holes to adjust the stiffness. do that with the wheels off the ground, doesnt matter.

You're adjusting the length of the endlinks to remove any possible preload on the bars. Do this with the car on the wheels and loaded as close to how you drive as possible. The way you do this is to connect one link to a length that seems close, then adjust the other so that it slips right in (on?) the bar with no bending or effort required on the bar. Thus no preload.

[BimmerHeadBri]

Very cool. Thanks for the details Matt. I hope to get to this sometime over this long weekend.

I'll post a message once I have it done and test it out.

Cheers.

Brian