Vague steering on a 330 E46
Discussion
This is my second problem in as many months!
The steering has been starting to feel not quite right.
It's hard to put my finger on, but certainly when getting up towards 100, it starts to feel less stable than it did. It also has a funny habit of going light and unpredictable on teh power, almost like a bit of torque steer.
Something is up, but it's pretty subtle and I don't think I could explin it very well to a garage.
Has anyone had any similar problems? Any ideas greatly appreciated please!
The steering has been starting to feel not quite right.
It's hard to put my finger on, but certainly when getting up towards 100, it starts to feel less stable than it did. It also has a funny habit of going light and unpredictable on teh power, almost like a bit of torque steer.
Something is up, but it's pretty subtle and I don't think I could explin it very well to a garage.
Has anyone had any similar problems? Any ideas greatly appreciated please!
phelix said:
How many miles? Worn front control arm bushes and/or rear trailing arm bushes would be my guess. Tyre pressures are OK, right?
What he said! I had a similar problem, but can't remember exactly what was worn in the suspension. As above, check the tyre pressures - I have found mine is quite sensitive to pressure variations.Hi folks,
It's a non sport model, I've checked the tyre pressures which are all fine and it's got 68,000 miles.
I've maintained the used car warranty but am dubious that worn suspension is covered as I thought suspension was excluded after 60,000 miles. DOes anyone know as if it isn't covered, I'll go to an independant to get it looked at?
It's a non sport model, I've checked the tyre pressures which are all fine and it's got 68,000 miles.
I've maintained the used car warranty but am dubious that worn suspension is covered as I thought suspension was excluded after 60,000 miles. DOes anyone know as if it isn't covered, I'll go to an independant to get it looked at?
Edited by CIS121 on Thursday 17th January 07:43
You should notice an instability before this speed. Make sure you are not on badly worn roads when testing, but generally front lower suspension rear bushes can cause a problem on E46, as do ball joints. I blame speed humps. I recently had similar vagueness but combined with light clonking when braking after reversing. So I replaced arms and bushes, problem gone. Not cheap job though.
Z
Z
C3 supplied M tech bushes and arms, £320, then did the work myself. A mornings efforts after I figured out how to get OSF inner ball joint nut off. Car felt sure footed once done. 60,000 miles seems to be about average, but they will still pass MOT, and stealers and indis will probably not pick it up on routine inspection unless they are really stuffed, or you feel something is amiss.
This problem is very, very common on the E46. It is seldom necessary to replace the lower arms but always necessary to renew the front lower arm rear bushes. I always use new poly bushes for this and it is a straight forward job, not even requiring the removal of the lower arms.
Note there are 2 bush sizes available, 40 mm and 44 mm (I believe) so you will need to measure them before you order.
The new bushes just replace the old ones in the "Lollipop" mount at the rear of the arm.
Will eliminate the problem and tighten up the steering nicely.
8Tech.
Note there are 2 bush sizes available, 40 mm and 44 mm (I believe) so you will need to measure them before you order.
The new bushes just replace the old ones in the "Lollipop" mount at the rear of the arm.
Will eliminate the problem and tighten up the steering nicely.
8Tech.
8Tech said:
This problem is very, very common on the E46. It is seldom necessary to replace the lower arms but always necessary to renew the front lower arm rear bushes. I always use new poly bushes for this and it is a straight forward job, not even requiring the removal of the lower arms.
Note there are 2 bush sizes available, 40 mm and 44 mm (I believe) so you will need to measure them before you order.
The new bushes just replace the old ones in the "Lollipop" mount at the rear of the arm.
Will eliminate the problem and tighten up the steering nicely.
8Tech.
Hi,Note there are 2 bush sizes available, 40 mm and 44 mm (I believe) so you will need to measure them before you order.
The new bushes just replace the old ones in the "Lollipop" mount at the rear of the arm.
Will eliminate the problem and tighten up the steering nicely.
8Tech.
Thanks for the info. I usually replace my own brake discs and pads and have no issue with this level of getting hands dirty. Are the bushes actually much harder? I know some bits of the supsension need specialist kit and huge forces to replace parts.
Hi CIS121,
Bearing in mind I am doing this from memory, here goes with the fitting procedure.
Jack and support one side front of the car.
Remove roadwheel,
Undo both rear lower arm lollipop retaining bolts, (16mm?),
Lower rear of arm,
With a hacksaw blade, stanley knife or drill, cut rubber mounting to remove lollipop,
Remove any remains of old bush from lower arm (same as above),
Remove remains of bush from lollipop, easiest way is to cut a slot with a hacksaw in the metal bush surround and then just tap it out.
If using a new stock replacement bush, use a press to push the new bush in noting the correct alignment, although the bush is available with the lollipop for a price.
If using a Poly bush kit, (highly recommended), lubricate the new outer bush with SILICONE SEALANT and push it in with grips or a vise.Wipe off any excess sealant. Fit the new inner bush to the outer bush with copperslip. These are also available pre-assembled with the lollipop on an exchange basis.
Lubricate the lower arm with SILICONE SEALANT and fit the new lollipop assembly onto the lower arm.
Bolt lollipop back up into position.
Refit roadwheel. Lower car. Repeat for other side.
Roadtest and get tracking checked at earliest convenience.
Note: Use silicone sealant NOT grease or WD40 where indicated as it is a natural rubber lube, the others are not and you WILL struggle if you try.
Enjoy! HTH, Let us know how you get on eh? A few owners watching this thread.
8Tech. (3Tech for today he he)
Bearing in mind I am doing this from memory, here goes with the fitting procedure.
Jack and support one side front of the car.
Remove roadwheel,
Undo both rear lower arm lollipop retaining bolts, (16mm?),
Lower rear of arm,
With a hacksaw blade, stanley knife or drill, cut rubber mounting to remove lollipop,
Remove any remains of old bush from lower arm (same as above),
Remove remains of bush from lollipop, easiest way is to cut a slot with a hacksaw in the metal bush surround and then just tap it out.
If using a new stock replacement bush, use a press to push the new bush in noting the correct alignment, although the bush is available with the lollipop for a price.
If using a Poly bush kit, (highly recommended), lubricate the new outer bush with SILICONE SEALANT and push it in with grips or a vise.Wipe off any excess sealant. Fit the new inner bush to the outer bush with copperslip. These are also available pre-assembled with the lollipop on an exchange basis.
Lubricate the lower arm with SILICONE SEALANT and fit the new lollipop assembly onto the lower arm.
Bolt lollipop back up into position.
Refit roadwheel. Lower car. Repeat for other side.
Roadtest and get tracking checked at earliest convenience.
Note: Use silicone sealant NOT grease or WD40 where indicated as it is a natural rubber lube, the others are not and you WILL struggle if you try.
Enjoy! HTH, Let us know how you get on eh? A few owners watching this thread.
8Tech. (3Tech for today he he)
Took my car to Munich Motors in Wokingham this morning to get it checked out. He put it up on the ramps and gave it a good going over. The bushes were a bit worn but not enough to replace or cause significant handling issues. However, although I had checked the tyre pressures the week before, the front left was a bit down and both needed a bit more air (2.3).
Basically, for me anyway, the conclusion is that it is just the generally deteriorating state of the roads around here that just unsettle the car. Some of the truck grooves in the dual carriageways must be a couple of inches deep - I shouldn't be surprised that the car moves around so much.
I have 17" 225/45 wheels/tyres - apparently it's even worse on 18"ers. So, a clean bill of health and a bit of over-sensitivity on my part.
Once again, I have to recommend Munich Motors - I have used them for the past couple of years for servicing and this check was done as a complimentary service - I can't imagine getting the same from any of the local dealers.
Basically, for me anyway, the conclusion is that it is just the generally deteriorating state of the roads around here that just unsettle the car. Some of the truck grooves in the dual carriageways must be a couple of inches deep - I shouldn't be surprised that the car moves around so much.
I have 17" 225/45 wheels/tyres - apparently it's even worse on 18"ers. So, a clean bill of health and a bit of over-sensitivity on my part.
Once again, I have to recommend Munich Motors - I have used them for the past couple of years for servicing and this check was done as a complimentary service - I can't imagine getting the same from any of the local dealers.
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