Power Steering Issues?

VIDA · 03-13-2006, 08:13 AM

Just fitted new control arms and powerflex bushings (highly recommend by the way...simple install) over the weekend on my 325es. Pretty pleased with the results...no more shimmy at 55 mph! Real crisp sterring too...a little too crisp.

The issue...my steering feels really heavy, and will tend to not want to return to center. Thought the fluid might be low (have a small leak in the rack somewhere), and it was, so I topped it off. No change. No dramatic leaks other than the occasional drip, the v-belt is tight, and pump is spinning.

Any reason the steering would be so stiff? It was not like this before the job. Maybe I tightened the steering knuckle ball joint from the control arm too much? I spec'd it to 47lb/ft. Do the ball joints go through a break-in period? Any thoughts are welcome.

jase007 · jase007's Garage

Don't think it is the ball joints.

Have you ever changed your upper strount mounts [have a ball bearing in them for rotation]. I am on my second set ... replaced 1st set around 110K miles. These allow the strut assemblies to rotate R and L.

How are the tie rods? [do test that is in Bentley bible].

Jase

Yurick · 03-13-2006, 08:55 AM

Vida,
I noticed the same exact thing on my '90 325iC. I put all new stuff on the front end and everything became much stiffer, to the point of the wheel not returning to the center after a turn. I don't know why, but it seems that perhaps some break-in period may do it good.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

Have you checked your alignment after the change?

VIDA · 03-13-2006, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the input...if it is the upper strut bearing, I don't know why it would go literally overnight. I will be swapping it out next month when the new shocks/springs go in. Tie rods show use, but in otherwise good condition. (Will be swapping those out with the shocks.)

No, I haven't had an alignment yet. Figured I wouldn't need it because it tracked straight and everything for the most part. I was reading up on it though, (I used offset bushes) and I guess the offset adds castor and maybe a little bit of toe? Is this correct? Also read that castor may affect the tendency to center? Will have it in a shop tomorrow for alignment and will post results though.

VIDA · 03-14-2006, 09:05 AM

Well, had the alignment done today. Turns out the new bushes made the toe-in about 1-1.5 degrees. Corrected that. Steering is much better, although not completely erradicated. Liveable though...nice and tight. When I do turn though, initially there is a "clunk". Could this be attributed to the urethane bushes? They're also the 2-piece design, so any suspension movement makes the inner bush move within the outer bush that's pressed into the "lollipop". This a normalcy of the benefits of urethane? Thanks for the insights.