Steering Wheel Play

[Talon328]

I have a significant amount of play in my steering the steering wheel is not aligned with the wheels. What are the possible causes/fixes for this? Is this a DIY check/fix or should I take it to a mechanic?

[chaz58]

My steering wheel is like that, and I was told it was the lower control arms.

[Jim Spence]

Get a front end alignment, and tell them to straighten your steering wheel when they do. This may or may not be your "play" problem, but it'll get your steering wheel straight.

[silverbmw528]

Sorry, posted in the wrong thread ...

[Bmwcat]

I've been working on this problem myself. So far Ive replaced the struts, strut towers, control arm bushings and the tie rod ends. Its a lot better but next will be the lower ball joints. Older Bimmers over 100K miles usually have worn out steering racks. If you like the car you should replace everything! Good luck.. ;)

[drivinfaster]

also, when you replace the steering or suspension parts you should have an alignment check (at minimum) and total alignment (all 4 wheels dialed into the machine) if out of spec. alignment check will tell the technician if hte vehicel needs to be adjusted, and also if 'total toe' and 'individual toe' are correct. here's the difference.
'total toe' is the total amount of toe (the distance between the front of the front wheels when measured against the distance between the back of the front wheels) if your tires looked like this from the top // \\, that is positive toe (in), if the tires look like this ll ll, that is egual, or no toe, this, \\ // , is negative toe (not toe out, but that is what some people call it. potayto potahto i say...) now, pay attention because this is where it gets a bit tricky. total toe is what will wear the tires out. individual toe is what will mak the wheel crooked. for instance, it looks like you are steering like this, //___//, when you are actually going straight. this might help visualize, please be patient as i am used to a chalkboard....

good total toe & individual toe: ll__ll
ll ll (close as i can get it, the bar in the middle is the steering wheel level)


good total toe, bad individual toe: //___//
// //

when you hold the wheel straight, it goes to the right (at pictured here) or left.

to check 'total toe", hold the wheel straight and see which way it goes. i never advocate letting go of the wheel to check alignment. that's not accurate and unsafe to boot. (wheels can have a radial pull that can be checked a different way, but that's another post...)

oh yeah. always get a printout of your alignment. there should be specs at all 4 wheels.
and don't forget inflation checks. do them often, and when the tires are cold (less than 1 mile drive time). hope this helps with any questions on alignment issues.
drivinfaster (or in this case, straighter...):)

[chaz58]

If you want the the detailed and specific answer to your question, read this article on how to install the parts to fix it:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-59-Front-Overhaul/101-Projects-59-Front-Overhaul.htm

[Talon328]

thanks guys for all the info!! =]

[B/\/\W]

I had my wheels aligned, but the bastards didn't centre the steering wheel. I know the wheels are correctly aligned though because I have the printout from the laser machine. The steering wheel now sits the opposite side of 12 o'clock to what it used to when going straight and for peace of mind I should get it sorted, and check out the other suspension components!

[Jim Spence]

Take it back to 'em and have them fix it. That's part of what you pay for.

[odin328]

I agree with that whole heartedly. I won't pay for anything that doesn't meet my standards or was done improperly. Same goes to things done that I was not informed about.

[B/\/\W]

You guys are right, it's been a few months though. Should I just go back and say they did a tracking alignment, but didn't straighten the steering to match and ask them to do it? They will want to charge me right?

[Jim Spence]

Take it back with your receipt and tell them they didn't finish the job. Just be polite and they should do it with no questions asked.

[janusz11367]

it is a problem when a monkey is at the helm, when alligment is properly done one nevere evere turns the screws on the rods on the right or left side only. Those have to be evenly turn on both sides.