Steering box adjustment question. (manuel)

[steve]

I'm trying to adjust the play out of my steering box. It was sold to me as being a new csl (close ratio) Manuel unit. Since I have installed it has had play in the wheel like 1/2 an inch or so and I have finally gotten around to trying to adjust it out.

So in adjusting it I have lifted the front wheels off the ground and just turned the screw until I had all the play out. Being careful not to over tighten it. It didn’t take much to get it out. Just like a quarter turn, if that.

My question is then when I turn lock to lock about 3/4 of the way to full lock I was feeling what feels like "play" or a little irregularity in the feel. I am pretty sure this was there before as well. When I stop and the wheel is turned, again at about 3/4 there is play in the steering wheel that wasn’t there at center. Seems to be the same no matter which way I turn the wheel.

Is there a procedure in doing this that I have missed? Maybe adjust then turn lock to lock readjust? I’m confused. As usual.

 

[Tom M]

Yes, there is a specific procedure - it is in the Blue Books.

It is done with the track rod disconnected from the steering box drop arm.

The steering box is adjusted to have a friction value of 8 to 12 cmkp at the high point (straight ahead position). There is supposed to be increasing play as you move away from the straignt ahead position. The straight ahead position is halfway between the steering box travel end points.

If my calculations are correct, 8 to 12 cmkp translate to 7 to 9 INCH-lbs.

This is measured at the steering wheel nut.

An interesting note - the E3/E9 power steering box has a 15.7:1 ratio and the manual boxes are 19.1:1 except for the 167 3.2 l CSLs (Batmobiles) which have a 16.4:1

 

[Honolulu]

steering play... and rant

a subject near but not dear to me. Anyone's who has had an
E32 (second gen 7 series) with high miles, will have had to go through H-E-double chopsitcks with this subject.

Steering play is not only the box, which is adjustable as described, but in every other component of the system: each joint at the end of both tie rods (that's four places); then the ball joints at the ends of the control arms (that's two more); plus the joint where the center track rod meets the pitman arm (one more). Let's see, thats, um, 7 locations for play, and I gotta tell you, they all add up, right up the steering column, to the play you feel at the wheel. Oh yeah! there are also the control arm bushings (add two) that can go bad, AND add the two radius rod bushings. Jeezus fookin Christ on the Cross, these cars are made to shake.

Actually, 1/2 inch at the steering wheel is pretty good, and it's all I've ever asked for from twelve 2002s, one 635, one 533e, two coupes, and seven VWs. Every single one of them had the same adjusting nut; but as I've gotten older and acquired more experiece, I do the box adjustment first, then go on to other things lower down.

And believe me, this e32 7er is the absolute worst. I've had wobbles that nearly shook the shit outa the front end. It wasn't enough that I needed new control arms and bushings; there had been a previous crash, the the steering box itself was tearing out of the fookin subframe. Seven hundred dollars later it had come off and been professionally welded (and two new motor mounts too).

Well that's enough of that, eh?

 

[Malc]

The manual steering box is very similiar to the one in my 2002Tii, infact it maybe the same????

Agree with Honolulu you must make sure that al the links etc are in top condition.

I would like to add that I adjusted the box with the wheels off the ground and then gentle went from lock to lock checking for any binding as I adjusted it. In the 2002 it was the most "vague" at the striaght ahead position, but I have managed to get the "play" down to about to a total of 3/4 inch at the steering wheel rim.

Malc

 

[Bill Cutler]

The important point to remember is that all early BMW steering boxes are designed to have increasing play in the steering at the extremes of the lock, and none in the straight ahead. This is of course unlike the average yank tank which just has free play everywhere...............

 

[Malc]

......... This is of course unlike the average yank tank which just has free play everywhere...............

Ohhh Bill!
I thought thats why they had tillers instead of steering wheels :wink:
Malc