Jiglu: BMW '02 Owners: Discussion: Re: Heavy Steering

I had the fun of learning to drive in my dad's old supercharged Touring which had incredibly heavy steering due to a very small (14") wheel and slightly wider tyres. It built up good arm muscles when I was learning to do reverse parks and 3 point turns! It made my Triumph Herald which I drove after passing very light on it's toes indeed!

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Jaymic Ltd, 2002 Thurgarton Road, Aldborough, Norfolk, NR11 7NY
Tel: +44 (0)1263 768768 Fax: +44 (0)1263 768336
www.jaymic.com Email: ...
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----- Original Message -----
From: John Hudson
To: ...
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 8:22 PM
Subject: RE: [bmw02] Heavy Steering

You can put it down to the smaller steering wheel as well as you will need to exert more leverage to turn the wheel as the diameter is smaller.
It usually won't be the top strut mount (unless it's screwed) that is causing any problems as it is not affected by ride height. The lower ball joint (as well as the outer steering ball joints) is when they wear, they create a matching wear pattern between the ball and socket and when lowering the car, the ball sits in a slightly different position to the old one.
You need to be careful about tire pressures and make sure that they are correct and you can put a couple of extra pounds in but no more, otherwise the tires will be like balloons.
One trick with heavy steering is to turn the steering wheel while making the car move back and forth, therefore easing the process.
By the way, after you fitted the lowered springs, did you check the top mounts for free rotation?
Cheers,
John

Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:16:43 +0000
From: ...
To: ...; ...
Subject: Re: [bmw02] Heavy Steering

The wheels are the standard wheels on the 02 Auto and the Tii has 14x6 and the offset is standard on each. The tires are all rather new and within original spec. All of the ball joints have been replaced. The Tii had the steering box replaced about 10 years ago but it has not even covered 5K in that time. Both cars see limited use.

The 02 Auto with standard wheels was most pronounced when I lowered it last month. I did forget to mention both cars have 15" sport steering wheel from Jaymic but that should not deliver much of an effort increase.

Brad

On 10/12/2007, at 9:53 PM, ... wrote:

How wide are your wheels brad?
Best PH

Sent via BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: bradley prentice <...>
Date: 10 Dec 2007 13:47:01
To:...
Subject: [bmw02] Heavy Steering





I hope there is some advice out there on this. I have lowered both of my 02's with performance springs. The cars sit about .75 to 1.0 inch lower. The bushes have also been replaced with polyurethane all around. The steering is now quite heavy particularly during slow driving and parking. Overall the steering is much improved with no play. Has anyone else experienced this heavy response and can maybe suggested a remedy? Regards, Brad.


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