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37 year old BMW steering problem

  • 31-05-2020 7:43pm
    #1
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭


    I have 37 year old bmw in good condition .
    Lately the steering has become very tight and will not straighten up by itself when driving .
    It is the old rack steering which is in perfect condition except an bit heavy to turn.

    Does anyone here know what the likely cause is??


    Many thanks...


Comments

  • #2
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,380 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Is it power steering?


  • #3
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    Is it power steering?


    no regular rack and pinion i think it is called...
    There is no maintainance points i can see..


  • #4
    Kenny Logins
    Registered Users Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭Kenny Logins


    You might need to detach the tie-rods and check each strut to find the joint that has started to seize. What model?

    Is it stiff at first and then frees up a little with a bump as you turn the wheel?


  • #5
    Mad_Mike
    Registered Users Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭Mad_Mike


    Would it be something like seized, or almost seized tie rod ends?


  • #6
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Kenny Logins wrote: »
    You might need to detach the tie-rods and check each strut to find the joint that has started to seize. What model?

    Is it stiff at first and then frees up a little with a bump as you turn the wheel?




    Thanks 316 e21...

    regards...


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  • #7
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Mad_Mike wrote: »
    Would it be something like seized, or almost seized tie rod ends?


    Thanks Mike, i haven't a clue that's why i called you.
    I will look later and report if i find.


    regards...


  • #8
    Kenny Logins
    Registered Users Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭Kenny Logins


    My E24 displayed similar symptoms when the strut top bearings started to seize. The steering would be stiff to the point where it had built up enough tension to break the grip and would make a thud sound on the strut and spring as it released. Do you have this? Or is the stiffness consistent?


  • #9
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Kenny Logins wrote: »
    My E24 displayed similar symptoms when the strut top bearings started to seize. The steering would be stiff to the point where it had built up enough tension to break the grip and would make a thud sound on the strut and spring as it released. Do you have this? Or is the stiffness consistent?


    Its a consistent stiffness, lack of use and the biggest problem is when i go round a bend i have to physically straighten the steering.
    I will be having a look at it later as i really thought it may correct itself.


    I am not too much in this area but i do not know the bearings you referring to.
    There is a uni-joint to rack and pinion but i did not see any bearings.
    I did not have a proper look yet.


    Thanks...


  • #10
    Testacalda
    Registered Users Posts: 463 ✭✭Testacalda


    Came across this problem on a Citroen van before, turns out the universal joint where the steering shaft joined the rack was almost seized up. Worth checking.


  • #11
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Testacalda wrote: »
    Came across this problem on a Citroen van before, turns out the universal joint where the steering shaft joined the rack was almost seized up. Worth checking.


    You are correct this is what the problem was.


    Regards and thanks...


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  • #12
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Kenny Logins wrote: »
    My E24 displayed similar symptoms when the strut top bearings started to seize. The steering would be stiff to the point where it had built up enough tension to break the grip and would make a thud sound on the strut and spring as it released. Do you have this? Or is the stiffness consistent?


    Kenny,


    Where should i buy tie rods for car?
    The car is in perfect condition and i do not want buy rubbish bits.
    I damaged one before i discovered problem thanks to posts on boards.ie


    Regards...


  • #13
    kdevitt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,252 ✭✭✭kdevitt


    Anyone diagnosing your issue in here successfully will be doing so through educated guesswork - why not just take the car to a garage and have it diagnosed properly? You could end up buying and fitting parts that aren't even needed. Whereabouts in the country are you?


  • #14
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    kdevitt wrote: »
    Anyone diagnosing your issue in here successfully will be doing so through educated guesswork - why not just take the car to a garage and have it diagnosed properly? You could end up buying and fitting parts that aren't even needed. Whereabouts in the country are you?


    Diagnostics, sure that's what Doctors do.
    Thankfully i do not see mine very often but he hardly have time to look at my car. Anyway he 40 miles away.

    I hear he is very busy as there a new flu going around and he has a cure for that.
    I know the part broken as i broke myself when trying to fix, if i had read the reply here the chancer knew straight away.


    many thanks...


  • #15
    Kenny Logins
    Registered Users Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭Kenny Logins


    maestroamado wrote: »
    Kenny,


    Where should i buy tie rods for car?
    The car is in perfect condition and i do not want buy rubbish bits.
    I damaged one before i discovered problem thanks to posts on boards.ie


    Regards...

    I start here with the VIN to get diagrams and part numbers.

    https://shop.bmw-classic.de/bmw-classic/en_US/index.html - BMW genuine parts shop
    https://www.realoem.com/ - part numbers and diagrams only

    If the price is too high from BMW, I search for a Lemforder or a Febi cross-referenced part.

    https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/

    Sometimes lucky with Amazon (Febi "Prokit" parts come with all the washers/nuts/bolts or whatever is required)

    Or Schmiedmann

    https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E21/Steering-and-bearing-parts-c20-catn-ol

    OTTO

    http://www.ottocarparts.com/shop/


  • #16
    maestroamado
    Registered Users Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    Kenny Logins wrote: »
    I start here with the VIN to get diagrams and part numbers.

    https://shop.bmw-classic.de/bmw-classic/en_US/index.html - BMW genuine parts shop
    https://www.realoem.com/ - part numbers and diagrams only

    If the price is too high from BMW, I search for a Lemforder or a Febi cross-referenced part.

    https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/

    Sometimes lucky with Amazon (Febi "Prokit" parts come with all the washers/nuts/bolts or whatever is required)

    Or Schmiedmann

    https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E21/Steering-and-bearing-parts-c20-catn-ol

    OTTO

    http://www.ottocarparts.com/shop/


    Thanks, please confirm both same left and right??

    I got from Schmiedmann...


  • #17
    Testacalda
    Registered Users Posts: 463 ✭✭Testacalda


    maestroamado wrote: »
    You are correct this is what the problem was.


    Regards and thanks...

    No Problem, nice to be able to share knowledge and help others


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