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  4. E36 M3 front steering problem

E36 M3 front steering problem

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  • patsbimmer1P
    patsbimmer1P
    patsbimmer1
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    Like Snap said, alignment is going to be your most common cause and worn suspension parts are usually the cause of the improper alignment.  In this instance, without test driving it I would have to say the lower control arm bushings or the lower steering shaft would be the cause.  

    If you wanted to bring it by I can take a look at it for you.  I was ASE certifed A4 (steering and suspension) and A5 (brakes) in a not so long ago life and specialized in ride control concerns for the past 6 years.

    2011 e90 M3 - DCT, Borla exhaust, BMW Performance Black Grille, ECS Painted Corners, Ziza Angel Eyes

    07 335i Stella - sport package, BMS DCI, zhp knob, TMS cf parking brake lever, VRSF downpipes, MHD tune, H&R race springs, other stuff *SOLD*

    97 328i Lola - sport package, m50 intake manifold, m50 manifold.com install kit, custom CAI, K&N filter, Borla exhaust, FK silverline coilovers, 25.5mm front sway bar, Powerflex front sway bushings, Turner Radiator, fan delete *sold*
    95 325is *sold*
    93 nissan 240sx KA-T *sold*

    BMWCCA #473306

    Instagram @patsbimmer1

    AKA- HALLWAY PAT

    "burnouts bring babes and babes dont have time for bushings" - Kaiser Rolls

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • B
      B
      B C
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      patsbimmer1 said:

       I was ASE certifed 

      Mechanic A says Pat is to blame.

      Mechanic B says to do a burnout.

      Who is right?

      A) Mechanic A

      B )Mechanic B

      C) Both A & B

      D) Neither A nor B

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • patsbimmer1P
        patsbimmer1P
        patsbimmer1
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        Snap said:

        Mechanic A says Pat is to blame.

        Mechanic B says to do a burnout.

        Who is right?

        A) Mechanic A

        B )Mechanic B

        C) Both A & B

        D) Neither A nor B

        I hated these damn questions...

        C.... the answer is always C.

        2011 e90 M3 - DCT, Borla exhaust, BMW Performance Black Grille, ECS Painted Corners, Ziza Angel Eyes

        07 335i Stella - sport package, BMS DCI, zhp knob, TMS cf parking brake lever, VRSF downpipes, MHD tune, H&R race springs, other stuff *SOLD*

        97 328i Lola - sport package, m50 intake manifold, m50 manifold.com install kit, custom CAI, K&N filter, Borla exhaust, FK silverline coilovers, 25.5mm front sway bar, Powerflex front sway bushings, Turner Radiator, fan delete *sold*
        95 325is *sold*
        93 nissan 240sx KA-T *sold*

        BMWCCA #473306

        Instagram @patsbimmer1

        AKA- HALLWAY PAT

        "burnouts bring babes and babes dont have time for bushings" - Kaiser Rolls

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • LFE36M3L
          LFE36M3L
          LFE36M3
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          Thanks for all the info guys. I have access to a lift this weekend and will check things out and go from there i know my lower front bushings need to be done so i may do them and see if that helps.

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          0
          • patsbimmer1P
            patsbimmer1P
            patsbimmer1
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            To check the lower steering shaft just have a friend helping just have them knock the steering wheel back and forth in quick short movements while you put your hand on it from underneath.  It's easier to replace than it looks.

            2011 e90 M3 - DCT, Borla exhaust, BMW Performance Black Grille, ECS Painted Corners, Ziza Angel Eyes

            07 335i Stella - sport package, BMS DCI, zhp knob, TMS cf parking brake lever, VRSF downpipes, MHD tune, H&R race springs, other stuff *SOLD*

            97 328i Lola - sport package, m50 intake manifold, m50 manifold.com install kit, custom CAI, K&N filter, Borla exhaust, FK silverline coilovers, 25.5mm front sway bar, Powerflex front sway bushings, Turner Radiator, fan delete *sold*
            95 325is *sold*
            93 nissan 240sx KA-T *sold*

            BMWCCA #473306

            Instagram @patsbimmer1

            AKA- HALLWAY PAT

            "burnouts bring babes and babes dont have time for bushings" - Kaiser Rolls

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • B
              B
              B C
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              Are the steering flex disks on an e36 riveted or bolted? On the e30 I had to drill the rivets out and replace them with bolts

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • patsbimmer1P
                patsbimmer1P
                patsbimmer1
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                the disc is riveted to 2 splined couplers.  The part that goes bad most often is the u-joint end of the steering shaft opposite of the flex disc.  I replaced both when I did mine though since the flex disc looked a bit suspect.

                2011 e90 M3 - DCT, Borla exhaust, BMW Performance Black Grille, ECS Painted Corners, Ziza Angel Eyes

                07 335i Stella - sport package, BMS DCI, zhp knob, TMS cf parking brake lever, VRSF downpipes, MHD tune, H&R race springs, other stuff *SOLD*

                97 328i Lola - sport package, m50 intake manifold, m50 manifold.com install kit, custom CAI, K&N filter, Borla exhaust, FK silverline coilovers, 25.5mm front sway bar, Powerflex front sway bushings, Turner Radiator, fan delete *sold*
                95 325is *sold*
                93 nissan 240sx KA-T *sold*

                BMWCCA #473306

                Instagram @patsbimmer1

                AKA- HALLWAY PAT

                "burnouts bring babes and babes dont have time for bushings" - Kaiser Rolls

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • patsbimmer1P
                  patsbimmer1P
                  patsbimmer1
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  I think I have a video of it on my instagram (not a shameless follow me plug)

                  2011 e90 M3 - DCT, Borla exhaust, BMW Performance Black Grille, ECS Painted Corners, Ziza Angel Eyes

                  07 335i Stella - sport package, BMS DCI, zhp knob, TMS cf parking brake lever, VRSF downpipes, MHD tune, H&R race springs, other stuff *SOLD*

                  97 328i Lola - sport package, m50 intake manifold, m50 manifold.com install kit, custom CAI, K&N filter, Borla exhaust, FK silverline coilovers, 25.5mm front sway bar, Powerflex front sway bushings, Turner Radiator, fan delete *sold*
                  95 325is *sold*
                  93 nissan 240sx KA-T *sold*

                  BMWCCA #473306

                  Instagram @patsbimmer1

                  AKA- HALLWAY PAT

                  "burnouts bring babes and babes dont have time for bushings" - Kaiser Rolls

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • LFE36M3L
                    LFE36M3L
                    LFE36M3
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    A vid is awesome. What is the disc u are talking about i cant find it on real oem??

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • B
                      B
                      B C
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      If you see listings for a "fit bolt" or wave washer then those are the replacement hardware that go into the flex disk when a riveted disk is replaced

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • LFE36M3L
                        LFE36M3L
                        LFE36M3
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        Ok

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • LFE36M3L
                          LFE36M3L
                          LFE36M3
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          took a look under the car today the controle arms look good and the rack looked to be mounted tight no play or anything in that or the tie rods. did replace the lower controle bushings on both arms they were pretty well shot. so hopping that will help with the stearing. will still get a alinement done. while i had it up i checked the stearing shaft, the joints seem good but i can twist the whole thing a little eather way not shur if that normal or not. the back lower controle arms seem like the bushing that is at the wheel might be bad?? i can twist the arm down where it conects to the wheel, again im not shur if thats supost to have any play in it or not but i will probobly look in to changing them out anyway as im shur they are just as old as the front controle bushings were.

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                          0
                          • B
                            B
                            B C
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            Its not my job to critique spelling errors but that was quite the post! :D

                            Tie rod will twist a few degrees forward and backward due to the intentional movement of the balljoint. It should not have axial freeplay. To simplify everything, you should not have any freeplay in any direction when grabbing the tire with both hands at 6:00 and 12:00 (positions, not times of the day) and again at 9:00 and 3:00, then by lifting up as if to compress the strut.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • LFE36M3L
                              LFE36M3L
                              LFE36M3
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              yaaa spelling is not my thing lol. but thanks for the info

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