steering question - rebuilt front suspension

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:28 pm

I just finished rebuilding the entire front suspension to the extent that the subframe was removed. I've got some great pictures I need to upload with everything looking clean and shiny.

The big "gotcha" on my first test drive was that the steering doesn't naturally return to centered when coming out of a turn. Other than that, things seemed pretty good. What could be the issue? Overtightened linkages? Poor alignment? I've got a visually noticeable amount of toe-in on both sides that needs adjustment.

Thanks.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:49 pm

From under my small shade tree, every time anything having to do with the front end is replaced or re-adjusted, the front end should be re-aligned.
Especially since you r&r'ed the sub-frame.
Good luck,,,,Greg

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:46 pm

New parts, especially idler arms for some reason, can be significantly stiffer at first. But if toe is off far enough to notice, that could play a part too. How about the steering box, was it adjusted? If the adjustment screw got cranked down it could be the real problem.

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:48 am

Mike W. wrote:New parts, especially idler arms for some reason, can be significantly stiffer at first. But if toe is off far enough to notice, that could play a part too. How about the steering box, was it adjusted? If the adjustment screw got cranked down it could be the real problem.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the tips. Actually, neither of those parts were really touched. Idler arm came out, but is still original and the bushing only has about 40k mi on it, so it was reused. We didn't adjust the steering box. It was just unbolted and hung from the brake booster support. We also removed & replaced the steering guibo so no inadvertent stress would be placed on the steering column - that ended up being quite a job in itself.

I've got an alignment scheduled, but the local BMW shop doesn't have an opening for a couple days. I did a primitive, DIY front alignment last night with some tape measures and a carpenter's square. I ended up shortening each tie rod about 1.5 turns on the adjustment tubes. A 5-mile
test drive on that revealed that I got most of the self-centering back just from getting rid of most of the toe-in. The u-turn is a good test - I no longer had to fight like a mad man coming out of a u-turn to straighten out the steering.

Things are looking better. This was the last major project in preparation for 5erWest.

Thanks.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:05 pm

Rogert
I know Mike's the guru, but, what am I chopped liver??

Just kidding. I'm glad you got your answer.

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:26 am

GripGreg wrote:Rogert
I know Mike's the guru, but, what am I chopped liver??
Just kidding. I'm glad you got your answer.

Haha. My bad. Your advice is being applied too. An alignment was planned all along. I just had a mild panic that there might be bigger issues that an alignment wouldn't correct. The observation on too much toe-in is useful too - I didn't see that generalization for alignment troubleshooting in my quick research.