Self centreing

[2bmws]

Hi guys, went out for a drive in the z today and been driving my f30 for a couple of days and noticed it doesnt self centre, i had new tyres fitted about a month ago 225 45 17 all round and it was tracked up on a hunters machine. I know from the past my old e36 and e46 were staggered would this be a cause, also she does get a bi*** twitchy up round the 70 mark i figured that might be the lollipop bushes, which im going to do come winter when i stop driving it. But has anyone else experienced either of these before please
Any help would be great thanks.



This car is

 

[137699]

Self centering (or lack of) suggests a wheel alignment issue or possibly worn ball joints.
Be worth getting the car in for a proper wheel alignment at an alignment specialist (not your local tyre centre).

 

[2bmws]

I always use a hunters machine when i get my cars tracked as they are the best, must be a ball joint then

 

[alec.m]

In my experience worn lollipop bushes can cause this issue and can quickly ruin your tyres. I`d have thought they`d have spotted that though when tracking your car.

 

[2bmws]

Dont seem to have will be changing them when the winter comes give the front end a freshen up with bottom arms, lollipop bushes and track rod ends, and arb bushes

 

[Delk]

It maybe worth changing the lollipop bushes sooner then later. If you go with the two piece push in poly ones they are very easy to change. Most of the work is cutting the original rubber ones out.

 

[2bmws]

Is it worth changing the bottom arms too or just change the lollipop bushea for now

 

[Delk]

Depends if feel the ball joints are worn or not. One of mine was and the wheel could be rocked back and forth when it was jacked off the ground. Just grab the top and bottom and wiggle.

The front bush is easy to change. Remove the two bolts and slide it off. Hack the rubber bush out then cut the metal liner with a hack saw and remove it. Clean up the lollipop and get it ready to fit the bush. There are several types but if you get the two piece one they can be installed by hand without a press. You slide the outer part in the lollipop then the inner part gets pushed in. The inner part expands the outer a little so it wont come out. Put it all back together and you are done.

 

[alec.m]

Don`t forget it will need tracking again if you do the bushes.

 

[2bmws]

Defo,
will order new bottom arms too dont want to go over it again.

 

[2bmws]

right guys, replaced bottom arms lollipop bushes. Track rod ends and arb bushes and had her retract at a garage again with a hunter drives straight nice and tight still feels a little heavy and not self centering still, any more ideas please.
Im thinking possibly the steering coupling where it goes to the rack

 

[t-tony]

Usually steering UJs seize on one axis not both. You can check this by taking the UJ off the rack and see if one axis is tighter to move by hand than the other. Was a very common problem on Fords back in the day.

Tony.

ps. Trying checking the distance between axle centres and compare each side to the other.

 

[Woodsta888]

Not to digress from your issue, but if it drives straight and tight, could you explain what the centering issue is as, 'heavy and not centering' I cant get my head around or what to look for?

Thanks in advance

 

[2bmws]

Ok i turn corner loosen my grip on the wheel for it to come straight, but it needs some help to get back centre or it will continue to turn

 

[t-tony]

When you let go off your steering wheel after taking a corner, ie let it slip through your hands it is "self centreing". If you have "tight" steering it will keep turning in the lock you applied?

Tony.

 

[Woodsta888]

Ah, cheers guys, I just couldn't picture it.

 

[2bmws]

Tight steering, thats the one lol sorry for the confusion

 

[Dino D]

Could simply be the wheels - they look like 5 series. What size, offset and weight are the wheels as that makes a difference in my experience.

 

[2bmws]

There 17 but have 225s all round

 

[Dino D]

There 17 but have 225s all round

Ah ok wouldn’t expect that with those sizes, something like 245 and a heavy rim more likely.
just noticed you’ve got fresh rubber too