New E34 owner with some problems
Discussion
I have recently purchased a 525i E34, but it has a couple of problems.
1) Steering feels very woolly. And the wheel is massively off centered. I know its a box rather than a rack, so if I correct it to be centered, would that firm up the steering a bit, or am I looking at a new steering box?? Any other way I could cure these problems?
2) there is a strange knocking sound when I come to a stop and turn at the same time. Its very breif, so I haven't managed to source the exact location, but it sounds like the front drivers side wheel. Any ideas where I shoud start looking?
And thats it, other than no interior light or reverse lights, but I'll sort those at the weekend with a multi meter
And here is the beast in question
A few details. 1991, Manual, LSD 150k miles, 24v, cruise control, EM, EW, ESR. Not as fast as some of my previous cars, and certainly doesn't handle as well, but its comfortable, fast ish, and locks up the LSD in the wet very well
1) Steering feels very woolly. And the wheel is massively off centered. I know its a box rather than a rack, so if I correct it to be centered, would that firm up the steering a bit, or am I looking at a new steering box?? Any other way I could cure these problems?
2) there is a strange knocking sound when I come to a stop and turn at the same time. Its very breif, so I haven't managed to source the exact location, but it sounds like the front drivers side wheel. Any ideas where I shoud start looking?
And thats it, other than no interior light or reverse lights, but I'll sort those at the weekend with a multi meter
And here is the beast in question
A few details. 1991, Manual, LSD 150k miles, 24v, cruise control, EM, EW, ESR. Not as fast as some of my previous cars, and certainly doesn't handle as well, but its comfortable, fast ish, and locks up the LSD in the wet very well
Get the alignment checked - it might be the track rods which need replacing (pretty common on E34s), or it might just be the tracking. The steering shouldn't be woolly but the bushes and track rods could also cause this; alternatively it could be the bolt on the steering column. Avoid replacing the steering box if possible since that's very pricey.
Point 2 could be the same thing - bushes or track rods. Mine makes one knock when reversing on full lock but there's nothing noticeably wrong, so I suggest you just ignore it.
Point 2 could be the same thing - bushes or track rods. Mine makes one knock when reversing on full lock but there's nothing noticeably wrong, so I suggest you just ignore it.
Have a check of your upper and lower control arms. The knocking sound is the bush in one or more of the arms. If your car is on its original arms and has over 100k, change all 4, then get your tracking done. I did all 4 on mine plus the stearing tie rods after i bought it at 218k and it made clunking noises and pulled really badly under heavy breaking. I changed mine after reading how to do it on www.bmwe34.net. You dont need to be great with a spanner but you will need an impacr wrench.
Also try this forum its free and simple to register.
www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/
(try the e34 section)
www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/
(try the e34 section)
wow, that guy on bmwe34.net knows his stuff
He also has some pics of his E34 on the same wheels that I've just fitted, but nw I cant find the pic??
Anyway, since fitting the wheels with decent tyres (the stock rims had Nankang "Ditchfinders" on
) the steering feels much, much firmer, but there's alot of play??
So would that be the bushes right?
Are GSF the best place for them? (reason I ask is they are my local motorfactors)
And does anyone know if there is a complete bush replacement kit available?
And using the Haynes Spanner rating system, out of 5, how hard of a job is it??
Cheers all,
Ed
(and seeing as I'm new to BM's, do you guys ever have meets/rolling road days like the Japchatter's do? I've seen a few of you guys and gals have some pretty tasty Beemers
)
He also has some pics of his E34 on the same wheels that I've just fitted, but nw I cant find the pic??
Anyway, since fitting the wheels with decent tyres (the stock rims had Nankang "Ditchfinders" on
) the steering feels much, much firmer, but there's alot of play?? So would that be the bushes right?
Are GSF the best place for them? (reason I ask is they are my local motorfactors)
And does anyone know if there is a complete bush replacement kit available?
And using the Haynes Spanner rating system, out of 5, how hard of a job is it??
Cheers all,
Ed
(and seeing as I'm new to BM's, do you guys ever have meets/rolling road days like the Japchatter's do? I've seen a few of you guys and gals have some pretty tasty Beemers
)I had the same symptoms and the control arms with the bush pressed into them did the trick. I got my ones from gsf car parts and they didnt cost the earth.
p.s. when you find out why your reverse light doesnt work, please let me know what it is.. my reverse light only works when it wants and im useless with electrics. I'm quite new to all this too but i would be well up for a bmw rolling road day or something along those lines
p.s. when you find out why your reverse light doesnt work, please let me know what it is.. my reverse light only works when it wants and im useless with electrics. I'm quite new to all this too but i would be well up for a bmw rolling road day or something along those lines
I've sourced the reverse light fault, as the car was an auto, and is now a manual, so the reverse light switch hadn't been connected 
A bit of bodging required and all work perfectly
I've tried all the details on the bmwe34.net site, and my steering has stiffened up, but stll has mild play in it
And I checked all the cars at the scrap yard today, and none of them have the play mine does, which makes me think its the steering box As I can wiggle the shaft that goes into the box a few degree's, but they were all stuck fast in the scrap yard (although that could be cos they're shot)
Next E34 owner I see in Tesco's car aprk I'm going to stop and ask if I can have a look at theirs
A bit of bodging required and all work perfectly
I've tried all the details on the bmwe34.net site, and my steering has stiffened up, but stll has mild play in it
And I checked all the cars at the scrap yard today, and none of them have the play mine does, which makes me think its the steering box
As I can wiggle the shaft that goes into the box a few degree's, but they were all stuck fast in the scrap yard (although that could be cos they're shot) Next E34 owner I see in Tesco's car aprk I'm going to stop and ask if I can have a look at theirs
I've tightened it a fair amount, but I dont want to over tighten it (is that possible?)
Anyone know roughly how much a new one would be?? (GSF or main stealer?)
And cheers
Its a great car to drive. A few niggling problems, but nothing a couple of weekends work wont fix
Since fitting the new wheels and tyres I'm having to take it easy, as the clutch isn't appreciating the extra traction. Apparently replacements are only £80 from GSF though
Anyone know roughly how much a new one would be?? (GSF or main stealer?)
And cheers
Its a great car to drive. A few niggling problems, but nothing a couple of weekends work wont fix
Since fitting the new wheels and tyres I'm having to take it easy, as the clutch isn't appreciating the extra traction. Apparently replacements are only £80 from GSF though
Edited by turbo-tastic on Monday 27th November 21:13
The reverse light switch is on the passenger side of the gearbox (I think), but its near the top of the 'box up into the transmission tunnel.
Should have a brown 2 pin socket coming out of it (hopefully with a thin cable going up through a rubber grommet into the cockpit underneath the gearstick)
Should have a brown 2 pin socket coming out of it (hopefully with a thin cable going up through a rubber grommet into the cockpit underneath the gearstick)
Jon Lee said:
I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure the 6 cylinder cars have a steering rack, only the V8s have a steering box.
Mine's a straight six and it has recirculating ball steering as there's no clear path for R&P!
Also a trait of recirc ball box is that you get a bit of play when the steering wheel is at straight ahead - once you go 1" left or right with it the steering tightens up. You could also check you PAS fluid level!
Edited by mmm-five on Friday 8th December 10:43
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