Steering freeplay seems alot....

[beem]

Just changed my control arm bushings to eliminate the "klok klok" sound..however. the steering feels like it has a lot of freeplay and its not "heavy" when i'm cruising along a straight...

Searched the forum and there's someone recommending changing the steering wheel control bush..what's that?

Also, someone else recommended tightening the U-joint at the steering column. But there's a high probability that if tightening isnt done properly...one side would feel tight and the other will be loose......how???

Does that mean I should change the u-joint instead of tightening?

Done my alignment and balancing but still it just doesn't feel right.

Any idea what is wrong? Running on 225/45R17 with 32 psi on the front and 34 psi at the back...

LOST LOST LOST....

 

[Mockngbrd]

Re: Steering freeplay seems alot....

maybe can check ur steering the coupling?

 

[piggyboyz]

Re: Steering freeplay seems alot....

Based on your avartar, i assume that u r driving a E46

U may want to know that there is a lot of bushing under the carriage related to the drivability of the car.

The control arm bushing is just one of them. On the control arm itself, there is another 2 bushing which may have impact on the drivability. There is also the stabilizer bar that tie the absorber to the roll bar. The steering tie rod (which control your toe in/out) also have bushing attached, which also controls the feel of the steering.

After u have determine that all these are ok, then it will make sense to do wheel alignment, else it will be waste of money.

Finally, if all these are ok and the steering still got a lot of freeplay and feels light, then u may adjust the tautness of the steering. A 15 degrees turn will make the steering significantly tighter and stiffen down the steering a fair bit.

Cheers

 

[beem]

Re: Steering freeplay seems alot....

Bro Piggy,

Checked all the bushings u mentioned while changing my Control Arm Bushings.....the tautness of the steering...how do you access it?

 

[piggyboyz]

Re: Steering freeplay seems alot....

U can adjust the tautness of the power steering via the power steering rack. The is a nut there that can be adjusted. It's under the carriage

 

[beem]

Re: Steering freeplay seems alot....

Thanks bro...have a go on that first...