Steering still a little sloppy

[Maceo23]

Hey guys,

I have replace basically everything in my steering system, all new tie rods, new bushings, new suspension, new coupler, and I still think my steering is a little to sloppy. It's not terrible, but not as good as I think it should be. My old 320i handled much better, and I'm suspecting that I might have a steering box issue. Is there any kind of rebuild kit available? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[c.d.iesel]

start with correct steering box center tension adjustment

and

correct TOE adjustment

amazing how poor alignment can cause lousy

feeling suspension because all 4-tyres are not tracking

in a nice square box

and

how big are your tires? and on what size/width rims??

[AceAndrew]

You REALLY want to email me, trust me.

a n d r e w a d a m s @ i e m o t o r s p o r t . c o m

[Guest Anonymous]

make sure that fluid in steering box is better than 1/4" from top of filling port, and make sure that it is filled with proper, heavy viscosity fluid. Otherwise there is play in steering wheel when it is rotated.

[Mike Self]

steering box--they simply don't wear out very quickly--especially manual ones as in the US spec 320s...

A 2002 has a worm and roller setup and they do wear. I suspect your 02 has at least 100k miles, probably more and the box perhaps has never been adjusted. Check archives for adjustment procedures--getting it too tight is as bad as leaving it too loose. But even a new worm & roller steering box won't be quite as tight as a rack and pinion--why BMW switched.

cheers

mike

[TobyB]

There are a couple of checks you can do on the box.

First, make darned sure it's completely centered, as there's play off-

center by design. (pesky classical physics...)

Then jack the car up, and crawl underneath. Turn the steering shaft

by hand while you hold the pitman arm with your other. If there is

ANY wasted motion there, you'll be able to feel it. If there is,

you can try tightening the box just a touch. As Mike says, don't get it

too tight.

You can also toe the car out a bit, in small increments. That makes it more

responsive, at the expense of stability in wind and uneven pavement.

If it's toed in much at all, it'll feel numb. If it's toed out much at all,

it gets skittish. There's a small sweet spot where it's 'just right'.

Also, do the 'turn and feel' trick on the track rod end joint.

You don't say you've replaced it, but I'm guessing you have... (the track rod, that is)

That sucker's not known for its robustness- I've replaced several on my

street car in the last 10 or so years.

hth

t