M3 control arms, steering wheel not centering

[ItsHectic]

I got M3 control arms and I think they have worn in.

One thing I have noticed is the steering wheel wont center, for example when I am exiting a corner I have to pull it to straighten out rather than it returning to center itself, it just sits there like its dead.

[RimasRS]

After installing control arms you have to do wheel alignment

[ItsHectic]

Thats been done and car handles great. Its just the lazy steering wheel.

[3002 tii]

Is the steering wheel straight when you drive straight on flat surface?

If the wheel is crooked, how about when you keep car straight and let go of wheel? Does the car continue to track straight (while steering wheel remains crooked) or does it pull?

These questions will determine whether the alignment is off or if your steering wheel wasn't centered while they did the alignment (common mistake of not checking after alignment is performed).

[MightyMouseTech]

Hmm, the M3 arms really should have no effect on this. Sounds like the upper spring perches on the struts are seized.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Hmm, the M3 arms really should have no effect on this. Sounds like the upper spring perches on the struts are seized.

^^That's a very good point. Or maybe the upper strut bearings(mount) were torqued too tight.

OP - you could jack up the front of the car with both front wheels off the ground... and run the steering wheel full lock to lock. You could then see if the strut mounts are binding.


How many miles on your old ones? Did you just reuse the mounts or buy new ones when you did the M3 bits. ???

[ItsHectic]

@Peter@Advan


The steering was normal before I get the control arms.

Now the steering is normal except for what I mentioned so:

The steering wheel is dead straight when driving straight on a flat surface.

The car tracks straight.

I was told on the M3 board its alignment.

I thought maybe this is normal for the M3.

I did get coilovers installed but cant see how this could be involved?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

I did get coilovers installed but cant see how this could be involved?

On a strut suspension, the strut turns with the steering knuckle, and the top portion stays fixed with the body. There is a bearing between the two to allow it to turn. If that bearing is seized, or not installed properly, the steering will want to stay wherever it is and not return to center. Lifting the car up and moving the wheels left and right should tell you if that is the case.

[TheBreeze]

What are your alignment specs? I suggest slight toe-out (like 1/16) in the front, and slight toe-in (also 1/16) in the back.

[ItsHectic]

My mechanic told me its normal for M3 control arms in a 135i.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

My mechanic told me its normal for M3 control arms in a 135i.

b/c... he doesn't know how to fix this.

It is not normal. Have it fixed.

[Kiwi Peter]

I have fitted many sets 30+ of these arms to the 1/3 series cars, there is always some slowness or a stiffer feel in the slow speed lock to lock operation up to 10kph or parking the car.

At higher speeds 20kph + the M arms will give good feed back, the Caster / camber angle is a fair bit different and more aggressive over the stock spec and add to this an aggressive alignment. If you were to run a lot of toe in this would help with this issue, but if you want a PERFORMANCE set up expect some trade off

The E Series M3 has a very different power steer system so this slow / stiffness effect is not as noticeable.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by Peter@Advan

I have fitted many sets 30+ of these arms to the 1/3 series cars, there is always some slowness or a stiffer feel in the slow speed lock to lock operation up to 10kph or parking the car.

At higher speeds 20kph + the M arms will give good feed back, the Caster / camber angle is a fair bit different and more aggressive over the stock spec and add to this an aggressive alignment. If you were to run a lot of toe in this would help with this issue, but if you want a PERFORMANCE set up expect some trade off

The E Series M3 has a very different power steer system so this slow / stiffness effect is not as noticeable.

Is the issue mostly a caster change? Do you know what the caster change is, numerically?

[jwongie]

Is this normal?? M3 front/rear suspension arms installed, now problems
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=736368

[josemh23]

Ok, I have my car as daily driver , I read all the good stuff of m3 control arms but I still wonder if it's worth it if you don't track your car. I was thinking about upgrading the shock absorbers and calling it a day...

[ItsHectic]

Yes its worth it unless youre 80 years old with numb hands cause of diabetes and cant remember how you entered the corner you are exiting cause of dementia.

The bushings make the car point like a sports car, and give the car more of a go kart feel.

[MightyMouseTech]

Wait a sec. After the arms were installed, did you have an alignment done?

[ItsHectic]

yes.

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by Peter@Advan

I have fitted many sets 30+ of these arms to the 1/3 series cars, there is always some slowness or a stiffer feel in the slow speed lock to lock operation up to 10kph or parking the car.

This surely is not what the OP is talking about. Who cares about under 10 kph?

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

The bushings make the car point like a sports car, and give the car more of a go kart feel.

If you say so. But have you fixed the problem? Or have you investigated it?

This is very likely the problem:

Originally Posted by ///JAAM

Correct. Its not normal. There is a washer on top of the strut bearing that if installed upside down could cause the top strut nut to bind the bearing.

[flinchy]

mine do this with the pillowball mounts that bind a little after a turn either way, little annoying but eh... (also with the M3 arms)

[Reapur]

how do you fix the problem to "unbind" the bushing in the top mount? what would the procedure be ?

[livnpaintball2]

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

My mechanic told me its normal for M3 control arms in a 135i.

Your mechanic is an idiot.