OK guys, just posting here to see if any of you have experienced this before, and what your solution was. I'm going to dive in and check the things I can, but hoping someone has dealt with this before.
I hopped in my e34 for the first time in awhile Tuesday. Nothing was amiss. I drove it again last night, and bam, the steering is all cattywampus. Basically, there are extreme stiff spots at random points in the steering range. The spots didnt change throughout driving. Imagine the steering wheel is a clock - the stiff points are approximately at 2 o'clock when steering to the right, and like 9 o'clock when steering to the left (this is just to explain they are at random spots, the position is irrelevant). After turning through the stiff point, the steering lightens again. It also prevents the wheel from properly centering when returning.
Things to note: The fluid level was not low, although it has been leaking forever and i've just been topping it off over the years. And, the pump is obviously working to some degree, because they steering is light in some of the range. FYI - the e34s do not have steering racks, they have the steering box (what garbage!)
The internet has theories, I'll list them in order of likelihood based on my opinion:
1. Steering u-joint in engine bay is binding.
a. It has dried up and needs lubrication / b. an engine mount is bad (unlikely, i have poly) and it is hitting the headers.
2.Power steering fluid is kaput. Cavitation due to leaking has introduced a lot of air.
2. The main belt is slipping on the power steering pump.
2. Steering u-joint is contacting exhaust headers. A bad motor mount is letting the engine rest incorrectly. (UNLIKELY, since I have newer poly mounts.)
Question
straight6pwr
OK guys, just posting here to see if any of you have experienced this before, and what your solution was. I'm going to dive in and check the things I can, but hoping someone has dealt with this before.
I hopped in my e34 for the first time in awhile Tuesday. Nothing was amiss. I drove it again last night, and bam, the steering is all cattywampus. Basically, there are extreme stiff spots at random points in the steering range. The spots didnt change throughout driving. Imagine the steering wheel is a clock - the stiff points are approximately at 2 o'clock when steering to the right, and like 9 o'clock when steering to the left (this is just to explain they are at random spots, the position is irrelevant). After turning through the stiff point, the steering lightens again. It also prevents the wheel from properly centering when returning.
Things to note: The fluid level was not low, although it has been leaking forever and i've just been topping it off over the years. And, the pump is obviously working to some degree, because they steering is light in some of the range. FYI - the e34s do not have steering racks, they have the steering box (what garbage!)
The internet has theories, I'll list them in order of likelihood based on my opinion:
1. Steering u-joint in engine bay is binding.
a. It has dried up and needs lubrication / b. an engine mount is bad (unlikely, i have poly) and it is hitting the headers.
2.Power steering fluid is kaput. Cavitation due to leaking has introduced a lot of air.
2. The main belt is slipping on the power steering pump.
2. Steering u-joint is contacting exhaust headers. A bad motor mount is letting the engine rest incorrectly. (UNLIKELY, since I have newer poly mounts.)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
14 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.