Skittish / Loose front end

[andrewbuch]

Its not a bad thing to have them changed if its a older car. Go get a second opinion on engine mounts just to be sure

 

[andrewbuch]

So A long over due update.. Only had some things sorted out recently..

Had new front shocks fitted & new CAB's.. Still get a slight skittish feeling & slight noise coming up through the steering shaft..

but its much better than it was..

 

[Prev]

I recently changed my front control arms and all round new shocks on the E46. It has made a world of difference in the drive and handling. The car feels solid and almost new again (few annoying rattles inside the car). I was shocked as to the condition of the control arms that came of the car even though it didnt ride as bad with them on.

 

[Iceman007]

Fit a strut brace and feel the differince then:thumbs::thumbs:. seems the e46 has quite alot of bodyflex

 

[andrewbuch]

Fit a strut brace and feel the differince then:thumbs::thumbs:. seems the e46 has quite alot of bodyflex

Cant afford it..

Just trying to fix the problem that I dont think BMW would have manufactured a car that when you go over slight bumps the car feels out of control & you get a vibration/rattle coming up the steering wheel

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Andrew, it may be on of the rims are buckled or bent, or even your tyretread might be "moertoe".

 

[andrewbuch]

So even after having all 4 shocks replaced, new front lower control arms & bushes fitted & different tires (the yokis were getting finished, so swapped the fronts to back, so have the Bridgestone MY-01's up front, finished the yokis & got new MY-01's at the back) the car still fells loose / skittish on the front

most noticeable when cornering & there is some bumps on the road surface, but also has large amounts of understeer

 

[moranor@axis]

the new springs will get you to about -1deg front camber this should improve the situation alot :rollsmile:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Andrew - I have the same with my car, at a point it time about 3 years back, I did the same as you have above, plus rack ends and tie rod ends. When they were all new it was great but it didn't last too long. I think the whole suspension and sterring is designed aroubd the heavier 6I. As my 330 feels way way different and better - that's my theory at least.

 

[moranor@axis]

a heavier front should mean more understeer... the 330i feels better because it has more power to balance the car

 

[Peter@AEW]

Tyre pressures will influence the way the car steers and handles.

The higher the tyre pressures the more "skittish" the car will feel on the road.

What pressures are you running?

 

[andrewbuch]

Tyre pressures will influence the way the car steers and handles.

The higher the tyre pressures the more "skittish" the car will feel on the road.

What pressures are you running?

1.8 in the front & 2.2 at the back

Thats whats recommended on the sticker in the door sill

 

[Peter@AEW]

Try 2 on the fronts and 2.2/2.4 on the back.

It may well settle the roll that you are getting from the front tyres.

 

[andrewbuch]

I have tried
2.0 & 2.1 & 2.2 up front
2.2 & 2.5 on the back

the higher pressure up front makes it feel a bit worse

 

[Peter@AEW]

That sure is perplexing.

Given that you have changed bushes as well as control arms I am at loss as to what it could be.

Have you checked your front wheel bearings for play?

 

[andrewbuch]

I have not, but i asked the mechanic to check why its doing what it does, and he didnt come up with anything

 

[Peter@AEW]

Jack the car up at the front.

Take the wheel from top and bottom and try and move it inside and outside.
(hope I am making sense) there should be lateral movement of about a few millimetres.

If the play is excessive it could be your front bearings that are giving you that wandering feeling.

 

[Pfw28]

Had a similar problem on a Corsa bakkie, found that the universal joints in the steering shaft were worn, causing a rattle and play in the steering, loose handling etc. Have a look, who knows.:fencelook:

 

[andrewbuch]

will have a look at the bearings & steering shaft when I get a chance, should be studying now, write a sem test on tuesday morning

 

[Bayn46]

Have the steering rack checked. New control arms, new shocks and new tyres would just emphasise the problem.

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