HELP. Steering problem

[op'z318M]

I am having trouble with my steering system. It is hard to turn every 1/4 turn. This happens while turning the steering wheel while parked and while driving. Also while making a 90 degree turn the steering wheel will not return back to the straight position on its own.

I have new lower control arm bushings. Firestone replaced the tirerod ends, replaced the steering pump 3 times and replaced the steering rack 2 times, and had 3 wheel alignments ALL in the past 2 months, but nothing has fixed the problem. I have not taking it to the dealership.

The car drives straight and doesnt pull to any side. There are no noises coming from the front suspension or from the steering column when i turn the steering wheel.

This is my daily driver and its a pain to drive and not safe with the steering wheel being hard to turn back straight after making turns.

Has anyone encountered this problem??

[2Ti]

I had similar symptoms that were to yours; mine was stiff but not nearly as what you describe. Here's what did: - first I convinced myself that the power steering pump and or rack was still ok by doing the usual checks on the system. Sounds like you have that covered with the part replacements you've done. - then I put the front of the car on jack stands and moved the tires through its steering range while thoroughly greasing the two steering knuckles with penetrating lubricant. That reduced the stiffness a little bit, but not enough. - there is a bearing for the steering shaft in the firewall that I then lubed using penetrating lubricant while moving the tires back and forth. It is difficult to see, and even harder to get to with a good spray. There is a good write up on this site that describes a way to get a strong blast of lubricant onto the bearing from the engine bay by spraying lubricant into a small tube and directing the tube onto bearing from above. This procedure loosened up the motion quite a bit, I had to do it a few times. - Finally, I replaced the bearing at the top of the shaft under the steering wheel. Mine was in bad shape, and this smoothed things out a bit more. After doing the above, the stiffness was gone and steering became silky smooth.

[op'z318M]

Thanks Ill try that.. Spray lubricant on the bearing on the firewall, and replace bearing behind the steering wheel...

Did you get the bearing from the dealership? How much? Will i need a steering wheel puller?

[spidertri]

Greasing the steering shaft bearing is definitely something to try.

Have you ever replaced the front strut hats? They have bearings in them that allow the struts to rotate when you turn the steering wheel. I know from experience that if these are shot the steering will "stick" and not return to center on it's own.

[2Ti]

Originally Posted by op'z318M

Thanks Ill try that.. Spray lubricant on the bearing on the firewall, and replace bearing behind the steering wheel...

Did you get the bearing from the dealership? How much? Will i need a steering wheel puller?

The bearing I got from the dealer for maybe $20 tops. I didn't need a steering wheel puller, but be sure to follow procedures that can be found on this site when dealing with the airbag. Installing the bearing was bit of a pain. There is a circlip that keeps the bearing in place that was tough for me to remove and then reinstall once the new bearing was in. I would perhaps lube the bearing to see if that helps first, before replacing.

But spidertri's suggestion above is a good one, worth a try before messing with that bearing perhaps. Best of luck.

[wolferj-RIP]

I am going to 2nd Spidertri's suggestion.

I had symptoms very similar to what you describe that occurred when I first had new struts and springs installed...

The shop that I had do the work had not installed the top strut mounts correctly, and this caused my steering to not come to center and made all low speed turns require much more effort.

[mtlblue]

On the steering column, in the engine bay between the steering rack and the firewall, there's a u-joint. Drench the part with some auto trans oil or some good lube. Work it and let it it sit. Fixed my problem. Common northeastern e36 issue