loose steering... what else could it be?

StereoSteve · 05-18-2021, 04:23 PM

I've been experiencing uneven, slipping, loose feeling during turns as well as slight steering wheel vibration.

- front struts replaced
- alignment
- new wheels
- new tires

i also see a 5E40 steering angle sensor that will be replaced but I feel like I'm chasing my tail. Any suggestions would be appreciated

marvinstockman · 05-18-2021, 04:32 PM

Did the people who did the alignment check the front end components?

E92_William · 05-18-2021, 05:10 PM

Get under the front with a pry bar and check everything. Maybe a worn out bushing

BSM n54iS · 05-18-2021, 05:32 PM

If you've got wheel vibration at every speed it is most likely a suspension component loose/worn out.

TriumphTim · 05-18-2021, 05:41 PM

When I bought my car, the two bolts that mount the steering rack were loose.

StereoSteve · 05-18-2021, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92_William

Get under the front with a pry bar and check everything. Maybe a worn out bushing

This is my next project when I get some time. That would be the next logical thing to check, right? thanks for the reply!

StereoSteve · 05-18-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

Did the people who did the alignment check the front end components?

No, just did the alignment. It helped center the steering wheel but the car still felt loose. Like steering a boat

Brian86 · 05-18-2021, 10:13 PM

Welcome to vibration club. There are about half a dozen of us that have been chasing various axle and chassis vibrations for months with only partial success.

For the sloppy steering wheel, check the shaft couplings on the steering column. On mine the 'pinch joint' on the splined shaft had loosened up enough to allow lash in the wheel.

TriumphTim · 05-19-2021, 05:16 AM

"For the sloppy steering wheel, check the shaft couplings on the steering column. On mine the 'pinch joint' on the splined shaft had loosened up enough to allow lash in the wheel."

This too, my coupling's universal joint had a notch that caused a clunk and unpleasant feel.

I would get the front wheels safely off the ground and start prying and moving through the steering range.

marvinstockman · 05-19-2021, 09:28 AM

Stereo, my question would be, how could they do an alignment if your steering is loose?

2one3E90 · 05-19-2021, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriumphTim

When I bought my car, the two bolts that mount the steering rack were loose.

How do you access then and can u see it under the car?

05-18-2021, 04:23 PM	#1
StereoSteve Private First Class 10 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 07 E92 / 86 K75 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	loose steering... what else could it be? I've been experiencing uneven, slipping, loose feeling during turns as well as slight steering wheel vibration. - front struts replaced - alignment - new wheels - new tires i also see a 5E40 steering angle sensor that will be replaced but I feel like I'm chasing my tail. Any suggestions would be appreciated
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05-18-2021, 04:32 PM	#2
marvinstockman Major 399 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Did the people who did the alignment check the front end components?
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05-18-2021, 05:10 PM	#3
E92_William Captain 1306 Rep 852 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Get under the front with a pry bar and check everything. Maybe a worn out bushing __________________ Airplane Mechanic BMW Masochist
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05-18-2021, 05:32 PM	#4
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	If you've got wheel vibration at every speed it is most likely a suspension component loose/worn out. __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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05-18-2021, 05:41 PM	#5
TriumphTim Private 75 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Perkasie PA iTrader: (0)	When I bought my car, the two bolts that mount the steering rack were loose.
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05-18-2021, 10:13 PM	#8
Brian86 Captain 640 Rep 769 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Welcome to vibration club. There are about half a dozen of us that have been chasing various axle and chassis vibrations for months with only partial success. For the sloppy steering wheel, check the shaft couplings on the steering column. On mine the 'pinch joint' on the splined shaft had loosened up enough to allow lash in the wheel. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
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05-19-2021, 05:16 AM	#9
TriumphTim Private 75 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Perkasie PA iTrader: (0)	"For the sloppy steering wheel, check the shaft couplings on the steering column. On mine the 'pinch joint' on the splined shaft had loosened up enough to allow lash in the wheel." This too, my coupling's universal joint had a notch that caused a clunk and unpleasant feel. I would get the front wheels safely off the ground and start prying and moving through the steering range.
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05-19-2021, 09:28 AM	#10
marvinstockman Major 399 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Stereo, my question would be, how could they do an alignment if your steering is loose?
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