325i Steering

[eRgal]

Hi ,

Hope someone may be able to help here as I am lost for anything else to try.

I have an 89 325i Motorsport Cabrio that I put in the garage for around a year and a half (due to company car) . I thought this year I would get it out and put it back on the road.

When i took it out the steering was really bad i.e. tight would not return and lots of play.

I replaced the front springs and strut top bearings as I was told these were seized but this did not help , I then replaced pump still no joy so i replaced the rack and pipework and the trackrod ends and this is a little better I have checked the column and it seems free enough when disconnected from rack.

The steering is easy enough now (still not what it used to be) but I have huge amounts of play which make the car no fun at all to drive .

Does anyone know of anything else that would cause this problem . Could the column be faulty in some way ?

I cant think of anything else to try (i have not changed linkage from column to rack as this looks ok)

Please help !!!

thx David W

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Is there free play in the rubber coupler that goes from the friewall to the rack?

[eRgal]

To be honest I have not checked this to any degree, but when i changed the rack it seemed ok .

Is this the most likely culprit ?

I cannot think of anything else as everything has been replaced.

I will have a better look at this.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Play in the steering would most likely be caused my the coupler if you have already replaced the rack and the tierods...

[BMWCowboy]

Have you checked your tires for flat spots???>>After sitting that L O N G
it prolly drives horrible ~

[eRgal]

The tyres are all new , I had the car resting on axel stands when in garage and have had the wheels re-balanced etc and the wheel alignment re-done.

I still have to check the coupler from rack to column but i hope to do this tomorrow , I will let you know how i get on.

Cheers Dave..

[eRgal]

It turned out that the coupler was split , I did not see this when it was off the first time but it had a major split in the rubber , I changed this and the steering feels great now.

Thx

[jase007]

Dave:

Do you mind us asking how much for the coupler? I am assuming it is a dealer supplied item. Were you able to get the bushings only or was the coupler itself split?

Thx

Jason