Author Topic: Handling problem with control arm install (Read 3105 times)

Old2002Driver · « **on:** June 15, 2009, 09:01:28 AM »

I installed new lower control arms and bushings on my 91 318is over the weekend, using OEM parts. Although a bit of work, everything went together OK. However.....

When I went out for a test drive, I expected the suspension to be tighter and more direct. What I experienced was that the steering seemed to be very tight and did not return easily. The ball joints and bushings were very worn and the new ones eliminated rattles, etc., but the steering issue is a concern. Would the new control arms be tight for a while? I'm planning to have the car realigned on the assumption that this has changed as well.

Any hints or reality checks?

Thanks.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:09:13 AM »

Yeah, sounds like your toe is way out. With new arms, if you weren't within very tight tolerances it'd throw that off and you'd get symptoms like non-centering steering.

Once I also did a job with cheap parts (FCP Groton), the lower control arms were just too long. Don't know why they were so far off (like 1/2" too long), but my problems went away with some Meyle arms from BavAuto. In the future I'll be using Lemfoerder. I know they're twice as expensive, but I hate doing suspension work twice.

I'll also be checking every new suspension part from here on in with the original before I install it.

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:17:05 PM »

Thanks. I didn't compare old and new parts but will do so. Having raced Formula Fords in years past, I didn't think about toe out condition. The ball joints were very worn (just acquired car) and the bushings were badly deteriorated. I can see that there may have been a change just based on new parts. Will report.

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2009, 06:53:27 AM »

Resolved!

Took car to good alignment shop and had toe reset. It appears the previous owner changed out steering links and may have had car aligned without replacing the worn out lower control arms. Putting the new ones on changed the alignment. Now the car steers like a BMW. Still a bit tippy on its stock springs and Bilstein OEM replacement shocks, but those will go away eventually.