steering problem

[Marc]

when driving my 93 325is my steering wanders to the left or right just for an instance as if loosing control when hitting a bump or going on a curve .......dont know if it is with the bilstein coilovers ,camber kit, urathane bushing, alignment or xbrace....any ideas?

 

[m5runner]

alignment first

 

[Marc]

arent alignment problems only seen when the steering goes to the right or left consistently?

 

[f1racer77]

not exactly, could be a bit of a toe problem. Did you have the alignment check once your mods where installed?



Are the tires new? Some high performace tires exhibit signs of "wandering" or "dartiness" in the first few thousand miles.



btw nice set of cars! you seem to have my dream garage

 

[Kirby]

f1racer77 mentioned wandering, known as "tramlining" caused by the tire pattern. Try changing your tire pressure. If the symptom gets better or worse, or occurs at a different speed, it most likely tramlining. The only "fix" is different tires, but they might do it too....

 

[Marc]

I have 50% wear Kuhmos in the front and had the car aligned right after my dropped to the bone PSS coilovers went on with camber kits front and back

say if i'm driving on a long curve going to the right and accelerate quickly the car slightly drifts to the left as if losing control but gets back on track right after....maybe signs of powersteering dying? or balljoints?....I also have the urathane control arm bushings, xbrace and strutbar

 

[f1racer77]

hmmm..... sounds like you may be experiencing bump steer. Your car is probably to low. Does it squirm a bit under heavy braking? Ball joints usually have a vibration when they start to go. Another feasible explanation would be your control arm bushings. Adjust the ride height + 15 - 20mm (don't worry about the alignment this is only a quick road test) and drive the car around. Post your observations here. If the problem isn't cured by this, it's probably the control arm bushings. Btw check your tire pressures. This could be causing the problem too!

 

[Marc]

my suspension mechanic says it is because I am using two different harder tires in the back than the front which are softer....what do you think?

 

[poboyis]

having different hardness of tires in front and back wouldnt do that, if you did it left and right, then you would have a problem. sounds like ball joints to me and possibly tie rods. does it feel the same as understeer?

 

[Marc]

when I installed new S03 tires in the back and kept my S02's in the front my Porsche I felt like the rear would loose control on turns.....so that is why I beleive this might also be the cause for the BMW....after some wearing in the Porsche handling became more stable