E39 M5 steering issue

[Murdock]

My father snapped up a particularly tidy example over the weekend following a fairly lengthy search. On the test drive he mentioned the fact that the steering wheel was slightly offset to the right (i.e. approx. 5 degrees off the straightahead), and was assured that this would be remedied before the car would be handed over. It wasn't, and a subsequent trip (via the dealership) to a laser alignment specialist has seen the car once again returned with the steering wheel in much the same position. Is this a common problem among E39 M5s? I would imagine it can't be that difficult to realign a steering wheel? Any information would be much appreciated guys. Cheers.

[rassi]

Just to confirm that it is NOT a normal E39 M5 characteristic (mine is dead straight), but as to the exact fix I don't know. Some E39 M5 have had their steering box replaced, so maybe it was not alligned correctly?

[Howitzer]

I'm pretty sure that the M5 has the same steering set up as my 500E.

To do a full alignment check on mine you first need to centralise the steering box, not the wheels, then do the adjustments from this if memory serves me correct?

Mine needs weight added to all 4 seats to do a proper alignment, I didn't have very good results from just a 4 wheel alignment from a garage I trust.

Dave!

[Murdock]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Just drove the car and it certainly feels better after the alignment, but that wheel is a major pain on the motorway. Will phone around, as the general response we seem to be getting is "well does it really make that much difference? It's only fractionally out".

[belleair302]

On E34's when using KDS alinment the car requires a 200KG weight at the rear to correctly align the wheels. Maybe the E39 needs something similar.

Two people in the car should be enough.

[Jim Green]

Not sure why you all seem to be going down the wrong path here........

If the wheels are pointing dead ahead, and the steering wheel is a couple of degres off.......then all you need to do is correct it by adjusting the stearing arms eaqually on each side of the car to bring the steering wheel to the center position.

All that is wrong is that at some time when the car has had the front wheels aligned, some lazy mechanic has done all the adjustment on one side of the car, and not taken care to ensure that the steering wheel was centered in the dead ahead position.

[EvoJay]

Theres your first mistake..you took it to a dealer to get the alignment done. Main dealers are usualy total Monkeys and finding a good one is very hard work. Find a specialist for everthing...your wallet will be releived and your life will run smoother.

I had a dealer laser align my car and it was still all to cock. Took it to a local suspension specialist who sorted my geometry and every aspect of it was perfect, including the steering wheel straightened.

[taffyracer]

Yeah i'd agree, dealers have their uses but for this sort of stuff I would choose a specialist alingment company