Wandering steering

[Nick_S]

Hey guys, I recently sold my E34T to my gf since we just moved across the country. Just before hand I had a friend replace the upper control arms and inner and outer tie rods. The the control were super worn and I had noticed a loseness in the steering, particularly on corners in that mid corner i could feel what I can only describe as the wheels turning with the steering wheel in the same place. On long right hand corners, about mid corner it would feel like something loosened and I had to turn the wheel a bit more. It was never overly alarming and figured it was from the worn out bushings and would be fine once fixed.

After picking it up from the shop and starting the drive out west, I noticed that not only was the problem more pronounced but occasionally on straight roads I would feel it wander and pull to the side. =

Also about 3/4 of the way across the left front caliper started to seize up, thinking it could be related I rebuilt it with new seals but the steering problem persists. Any ideas or input is greatly appreciated.

Nick

[jalopi]

Maybe a stupid question, but was it ever aligned after all that work was done?

[IRON-E]

What CABS do you have?
Have you changed out the steering coupler?
Are your wheels balanced?
Are you running spacers or hub rings?
Was the car ever in a front end collision?
And like mentioned above, was there ever any alignment done?

[slammin.e28]

These cars are terribly sensitive up front.

When I went from stock 15" wheels/tires to 225/17s my wandering got much worse. Entire front end had been replaced 6 months prior to my getting the car.

Got it aligned, no difference.

Replace CABS with Moosehead bushings. Helped, a lot.

Finally, last resort, tightened the steering box up. It's better, but I think the real fix will be to get another steering box.

But, as said above....did the shop align the car? Or at least recommend you get it aligned if they don't have the capability? That'd be the first step.

[Nick_S]

What CABS do you have?
Have you changed out the steering coupler?
Are your wheels balanced?
Are you running spacers or hub rings?
Was the car ever in a front end collision?
And like mentioned above, was there ever any alignment done?

I got OE upper arms with poly bushing
Negative
Yes they were redone at the same time as the control arms and tie rods
Yes, e39 style 5's
Nope
Yes, done at the same time.


The work was all done by my best friend at his shop and he is an ASE certified master tech so I don't distrust his work.
I'm fearing its just the steering box going bad which sucks because they seem quite expensive.

[IRON-E]

Weird

[Dj Buttchug]

steering box

[slammin.e28]

Adjust it.

Tighten it up, but make sure the wheel still snaps back to center on it's own.

[Nick_S]

Adjust it.

Tighten it up, but make sure the wheel still snaps back to center on it's own.

I'll give it a shot. How easy is it to tighten up? I guess I can just break out my bentley manual and figure it out.

[tomwas]

the 92 e34 i just got does the same thing, was used to the nice rack & pinion on my 95 e36, how do you accomplish tightening/adjusting the box on the 5er...........

[slammin.e28]

I'll give it a shot. How easy is it to tighten up? I guess I can just break out my bentley manual and figure it out.

the 92 e34 i just got does the same thing, was used to the nice rack & pinion on my 95 e36, how do you accomplish tightening/adjusting the box on the 5er...........

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Steeringplay.htm

[AndrewBird]

So glad my e34 has a steering rack...

[slammin.e28]

So glad my e34 has a steering rack...

STAHP PLS.

Does yours have the built in booster rear seat too?

[AndrewBird]

No, sadly it doesn't. Lots of other nifty Euro stuff though.

[deutschman]

Worn out steering idler arm? Passenger under side of the car.