Steering Weak Center

[calmeda1]

Starting another thread related to the car's steering. I've noticed the car has sort of a "weak" or "dead" center on its steering. What I mean by this is that whenever the steering wheel is in the center, it's extremely easy to turn about +/- 10 deg before it gets tougher to steer. For example, using very light friction with my pinky, I can move it 10deg left or right before it stops due to "grip". I can probably record a video of this, in case my explanation makes no sense. Because of this, the car swerves left and right significantly whenever you're going on highway speeds. It can happen at lower speed too if you give the steering wheel a light touch, but not as much. It's pretty annoying and sometimes hard to control when you accelerate hard. I've heard similar complaints like the ones here, but this happens to me regardless of temp. Is there truly a fix to this?

For additional info, I'm running stock suspension and wheels. Only thing is that I have P4S on the front and PSS on the rear, but I've noticed the issue since I was fully on PSS. I got an alignment as well, but no fix:

I also have an aftermarket steering wheel. Don't think it should matter but adding the info just in case.

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[razorlab]

You can adjust the preload on the steering rack by tightening or loosening this on the rack. DO VERY SMALL CHANGES and see how it feels. If you tighten it too much it gets very stiff and doesn't return to center naturally.

You need this $10 tool to adjust it. https://a.co/d/bltg6HQ

 

[calmeda1]

You can adjust the preload on the steering rack by tightening or loosening this on the rack. DO VERY SMALL CHANGES and see how it feels. If you tighten it too much it gets very stiff and doesn't return to center naturally.

You need this $10 tool to adjust it. https://a.co/d/bltg6HQ

I'll give that a go, thanks!

 

[BA9092]

You can adjust the preload on the steering rack by tightening or loosening this on the rack. DO VERY SMALL CHANGES and see how it feels. If you tighten it too much it gets very stiff and doesn't return to center naturally.

You need this $10 tool to adjust it. https://a.co/d/bltg6HQ

Interesting. This one's new to me.

@razorlab , do you turn it clockwise or counterclockwise for tightening? How many turns initially? 1/8th turn? 1/4th turn?

 

[NiceBMW]

You can adjust the preload on the steering rack by tightening or loosening this on the rack. DO VERY SMALL CHANGES and see how it feels. If you tighten it too much it gets very stiff and doesn't return to center naturally.

You need this $10 tool to adjust it. https://a.co/d/bltg6HQ

Damn, thanks again. I just did this and it made a huge difference.

 

[BA9092]

Damn, thanks again. I just did this and it made a huge difference.

How much did you adjust the top cap?

I've tried to watch some videos on this but they're all about replacing the worn trust piece that causes a knocking.

 

[NiceBMW]

How much did you adjust the top cap?

I've tried to watch some videos on this but they're all about replacing the worn trust piece that causes a knocking.

After about 3/4 turn pulling wrench towards drivers tire the front steering stability / feel is surprisingly tighter. I thought I was having alignment issues and gave this a try. I honestly figured I had to turn it the other way but after messing with it for awhile this was better.

 

[MavJ]

After about 3/4 turn pulling wrench towards drivers tire the front steering stability / feel is surprisingly tighter. I thought I was having alignment issues and gave this a try. I honestly figured I had to turn it the other way but after messing with it for awhile this was better.

By direction, did you mean clockwise / tighter? Thanks!

 

[NiceBMW]

By direction, did you mean clockwise / tighter? Thanks!

It's been a few months but if facing the car from the front it was counter clockwise for me. I used the driver tire as reference since it wouldn't matter which way a person was facing. GL

 

[MavJ]

Thank you for this. How does the increased preload feel? Less light? Any additional feedback?

 

[NiceBMW]

Thank you for this. How does the increased preload feel? Less light? Any additional feedback?

It removed "slop" in steering wheel and firmed up front end stability for me.

 

[razorlab]

It tightens clockwise and loosens counter-clockwise. Normal thread.

Righty-tighty stays the same no matter if it's upside down or right side up.

 

[MavJ]

Thank you guys!

 

[calmeda1]

I finally tightened the steering rack, and it actually made a good difference. Ride feels stable and more in control. I did have to make multiple adjustments. Exactly like @razorlab mentioned, I did a 1/4 turn and the steering was so tight it would not go back to the center. I reduced to 1/8th of a turn (from original position) and it felt better. I reduced again by a VERY small turn (1/16th?) and it was perfect

Initial Position

Final Position

 

[Bernielynn_]

I finally tightened the steering rack, and it actually made a good difference. Ride feels stable and more in control. I did have to make multiple adjustments. Exactly like @razorlab mentioned, I did a 1/4 turn and the steering was so tight it would not go back to the center. I reduced to 1/8th of a turn (from original position) and it felt better. I reduced again by a VERY small turn (1/16th?) and it was perfect

I ended up at about an 1/8th also. I will back it off a hair next time the car is in the air, but in the meantime it feels way better. Just a touch to tight

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