Author Topic: steering wheel poor returnability to center (Read 11203 times)

strad · « **on:** February 11, 2009, 08:20:22 PM »

What would cause that? I didn't notice it before replacing the control arms and control arm bushings. This does not necessarily mean the problem wasn't there before, considering that the old ball joints were trash, which is why the arms were replaced. The arms are Meyle, and CA bushings are OEM.

Other facts about the front suspension is that it has a recently rebuilt rack, tie rods appear fine, and struts are original, and certainly worn out at 208k miles. Alignment is good. No abnormal noises from suspension. No abnormal tire wear.

tjts1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2009, 09:40:05 PM »

Bad alignment.

strad · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:31:57 PM »

Yeah, forgot to mention the steering wheel is a very small amount off center when the car is going straight. There is no abnormal tire wear though. I had 17k miles total (7k before changing control arms and 10k after) before replacing tires, and no abnormal wear patterns were seen. Car does not pull to either side when going straight. Just if you turn the steering wheel suddenly, and suddenly let go, it doesn't want to return to center. And as I said, I didn't notice this happening before replacing the control arms.

Boosted E30 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:51:16 PM »

i would have to say your steering rack is the problem it may be leaking internally. if you go around a 90deg corner does it return or do you have to help it??

KenC · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:18:40 PM »

Did you put the washers back in between the strut and mount?

strad · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:31:54 AM »

The steering rack is not leaking. Struts have not been touched, by me anyways. They appear to be original. So I don't know if the washers are there or not. Could I see this without disassembly?

txleadfoot · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:46:06 AM »

Did you center the rebuilt rack internals and steering wheel before re-installation?

strad · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2009, 02:28:56 PM »

Quote from: txleadfoot;66385

Did you center the rebuilt rack internals and steering wheel before re-installation?

I didn't do that job. It was done by a shop (I have the receipt) about 3 months before I purchased the car -- the previous owner paid as much for the rack as I paid to buy the car from him lol. But at any rate, to my memory, it centered fine before I put the new control arms on.

Is it possible the control arm ball joints might be defective? They seemed very stiff compared to the ones on the old arms. At the time, I attributed that solely to the old ones being worn out. Maybe not?

Boosted E30 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2009, 07:47:04 PM »

no its not because of the ball joints they are supposed to be very hard to move.

how far are you turning the steering when it is not returning to center?? 1/4 turn half a whole revolution of the steerng wheel?

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:42:01 PM »

You said that the steering wheel isn't completely centered when driving straight? Sounds to me the place that aligned your car did a shitty job, they should have given you a print out and everything should have been copasetic. I would go get the car realigned.

strad · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:49:50 PM »

^^that'd be nice. However, it was done before I bought the car, when the steering rack was replaced. As for the question from Boosted, let's say I jerk the wheel, as if I was going to make a lane change. If I let go of the steering wheel, it stays turned where I put it, rather than recentering itself.

Should I have done an alignment when the control arms were installed? I didn't think it was necessary. Maybe it is?

tjts1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2009, 12:17:36 AM »

Quote from: strad;66428

Should I have done an alignment when the control arms were installed? I didn't think it was necessary. Maybe it is?

YES!
Don't take it to a shop. You can DIY the alignment at home in about 20 minutes. Its dead simple.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Borrowed/home_toe_in.htm

Boosted E30 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2009, 11:54:41 PM »

ok go get the car aligened and then let us know what happenes with it. i have done many ball joint replacements and control arm bushings and never had to do an aligement thats why im thinking its your steering rack. cuz camber and caster are the only thing that affect steering wheel return. what model bmw is this on???

strad · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:38:58 PM »

Quote from: Boosted E30;66486

ok go get the car aligened and then let us know what happenes with it. i have done many ball joint replacements and control arm bushings and never had to do an aligement thats why im thinking its your steering rack. cuz camber and caster are the only thing that affect steering wheel return. What model bmw is this on???

A 9/90 E30 M42 sedan. I should hope so considering what forum I'm on! I know it needs an alignment -- no question about that. What made me wonder, though, is that the problem was not evident before the control arm replacement, and that was the only thing that changed in the front suspension setup between no problem and problem. And the onset was immediate, as in the very first thing I noticed during the first test drive after putting it together.

Boosted E30 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:48:31 PM »

i would suggest getting an alignment first if you didnt already do that. and see if it makes a difference. are the control arms the right ones for the car?? did you do the work or a shop?? could they have put the control arm bushings on facing the wrong way??