[RobinW]

I've replaced all the suspension/steering joints. Even the rear ball joints. I had a shake in the brakes with slight pressure so got the disks skimmed, fixed the Vanos, DISA and replaced oil seals and it was all fixed. None of this was to fix this issue, it just needed it when I got the car. The car only had under 100K Miles on it so I didn't change the struts. We are now a year on from that.

Ever since that effort, I've had steering wander at low speed. 60MPH and over it seems to tighten up :dunno:

I have the cheapest Chinese tyres I could find fitted (KUMA I think), I was outta cash. What came with it was illegal and dangerous. I'm thinking it's tyres, but could it be something else ?

 

[AnotherGeezer]

Worn front struts can give a you a vague-feeling front end. If the tires are new, they shouldn't be that bad.

 

[RobinW]

Urghh. Bilstein B8 shocks are about US$800 here for 4 corners.
The old ones look ok, no leaks and under 100K miles.

Tyres are a lot cheaper :rofl:

 

[AnotherGeezer]

You could always try Sachs.

 

[MKJS]

Have you had a 4 wheel alignment done?

Jim

 

[RobinW]

Have you had a 4 wheel alignment done?

Jim

Yes

 

[RobinW]

You could always try Sachs.

They don't even show in a .au google search.
Lets call them, Unobtainium and postage from the US is criminal.
And zero ebay hits here.

 

[AnotherGeezer]

You BMW pilots down under are definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to BMW restoration.

 

[RobinW]

And ALL the 530i's are auto.

Found a pair of 2nd hand bilsteins on ebay.au for about $US170. Pickup even ....

 

[MKJS]

It wanders on the road, but aligned just fine? I would think that would point to tires or steering box.

Jim

 

[RobinW]

No steering Box in a 530i mate. The V8's like the 540i has one.

 

[Brandon002]

No steering Box in a 530i mate. The V8's like the 540i has one.

Pretty sure he meant the steering rack.

 

[MKJS]

Pretty sure he meant the steering rack.

Yes, thanks Brandon.

The 4 wheel alignment is a key to me. If the car passes the 4 wheel test, but still wanders, then that tells me it's not in the normal wear areas. That would say to me tires or steering mechanism, box, rack, I have a box, you have a rack, different name same function.

Any chance of borrowing a different set of wheels and tires from a fellow bmw friend to test the tire theory? Much easier than borrowing a rack.
Jim

 

[RobinW]

Ahh, the rack looked ok when I did all the joints and this issue only appears around 45 to 60MPH while going straight ahead.
I have a feeling it's the tyres, they were really cheap, like US$290 for all 4 corners.
I'll wear em out and replace em first. I'm sure that won't take long.

I don't know anyone down here with another 530i to swap wheels with.
All the vehicles in the local BMW club I'm in only have 2 wheels

 

[MKJS]

Ahh, the rack looked ok when I did all the joints and this issue only appears around 45 to 60MPH while going straight ahead.
I have a feeling it's the tyres, they were really cheap, like US$290 for all 4 corners.
I'll wear em out and replace em first. I'm sure that won't take long.

I don't know anyone down here with another 530i to swap wheels with.
All the vehicles in the local BMW club I'm in only have 2 wheels

Robin, there are quite a few Aussies that drop in here from time to time, don't think it impossible you might encounter someone who would let you swap rubber for an hour if you keep your eyes open. Aussies seem quite a warm and helpful bunch.

Jim

 

[crazy4trains]

Ahh, the rack looked ok when I did all the joints and this issue only appears around 45 to 60MPH while going straight ahead.
I have a feeling it's the tyres, they were really cheap, like US$290 for all 4 corners.
I'll wear em out and replace em first. I'm sure that won't take long.

I don't know anyone down here with another 530i to swap wheels with.
All the vehicles in the local BMW club I'm in only have 2 wheels

What tires are you currently using? Post some pictures of the tires. Asymmetric tires can wander since they typically don't have a solid/continuous center rib.

Rotate your tires front to back etc. to see if anything changes.

 

[RobinW]

This is them Kuho HS51.

I'll try rotating them when I get time and space. cheers.