Latest chapter in saga of "E32 w/ Sloppy steering" (archive)

I've been cursed with the ubiquitous E32 Sloppy steering problems. Replaced upper and lower control arms, tie rod ends, centerlink, pitman arm. Got new tires, had re-aligned twice; tightened the steering box adjustment nut twice.

Still had sloppy response. Then I tightened the collet nut on the steering column to splined shaft connection. Thought that was the silver bullet I'd been looking to find. Wasn't it. Still had less than BMW steering response.

Decided to investigate it once more yesterday. With the car on the ground still, I watched the steering gearbox/universal with a mirror (which I have determined is a NECESSITY for working on the 750iL!!) as I turned the steering wheel (my arms aren't THAT long!!) The entire steering box was moving!! Not much, but visibly perceptible. Upon further inspection, it was the long bolt at the bottom, running front to back, that was somewhat loose. Getting to the head ofthe bolt on the back side was easy; getting to the nut on the front was a royal pain. Couldn't feel it or even see it without my trusty mirror. After spending an hour trying to get a 20mm end wrench on it, I finally wiggled it the right way for it to engage, and then easily tighted it; REAL tight, I might add.

So, that made as much difference as all the other little tweaks and adjustments. These fixes are kinda' like leaks: until you get all of them 100% fixed, it still leaks!

Hope this helps somebody else. Just remember these two things: PATIENCE AND MIRRORS.

Follow Ups:

Smoke and mirrors Fareed 11:42 9/30/2001 (0)

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