Steering problems

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Ericjump
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Dec 24, 2019 10:15 pm
Location: USA - South Carolina

Steering problems

Post by Ericjump »

Hello, thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me.
I have a 1989 635 CSi with front end "Shimmy" problems,
I have replaced all suspension parts, had front end aligned and tires balanced, still have a pretty bad "Wobble".
It gets better at higher speeds but needs to be addressed, I've been told that its my steering rack.
Any help (and advise) as to rebuild or replace will be very helpful.
I live in upstate South Carolina, am also looking for good shop to help with this problem, I'm ver " Hands on "and would prefer to do myself, but know when to ask for help
Thanks again for any help
Eric (864) 350-3764
[email protected]
GRNSHRK
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Re: Steering problems

Post by GRNSHRK »

Eric, not sure about your problem, other than the possible steering bracket failure that's common with the E28 chassis, but I'm going to move your post to the "Steering" forum, hopefully you will get more traction there [-o<

But look into the steering box fix from Mwrench \:D/

viewtopic.php?t=29407
:mrgreen:
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86_6series
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Re: Steering problems

Post by 86_6series »

Eric,

This wobble is usually caused by upper control arm bushings (thrust).
If they were changed and not preloaded when torqued,
they could get destroyed within a couple of hundred miles.

#6
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=31_0019
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98-740i
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plip1953 Online
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Re: Steering problems

Post by plip1953 »

Have you actually tried changing your wheels front to back? It's amazing how often doing such a simple thing will make a difference ie highlight some kind of issue with a wheel or tyre. Also, did you change your front wheel bearings or other components in the hub areas? I assume someone has grabbed top and bottom of each wheel and checked for play? Another simple thing to do is checking the runout of your discs, and if that shows anything significantly greater than around 0.1mm it's something to look further into eg going on to check for runout of the hub flange.
Phil
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86_6series
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Re: Steering problems

Post by 86_6series »

After reading your post again, Am I seeing a shimmy before and a wobble after
front suspension parts? Those two terms mean different symptoms.
Did the symptoms change from shimmy to wobble or is it the same but you described it different?
Did you feel the shimmy on the steering wheel (front wheels), or in the seat (rear wheels)? That would be wheel balance.
What front end parts did you replace?

If it's the rotors out of round you would feel the pulsating in the brake pedal.

If it's the wheel bearings, you would hear them whining or maybe pulling left or right.

I'm telling you, if it's a violent wobble where the steering wheel is pulled left to right
between around 35 to 50 mph, it's the upper control arm bushings.

6 series are infamous for that problem. At least have them checked out by
a tech old enough to have worked on these cars back in the day.
86-635CSi
96-MB C220 SOLD
98-740i
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