Bumpersexpress

Hey guys, I am new to this forum and this is my first thread and I am having a issue i cannot figure out yet. I Have a 05 525i, everything is great except the steering. When driving straight anywhere from 40mph and up the steering wheels feels loose when driving straight. Which causes the car to sway a little because the center position is not firm. I do not have an idea of what it can be yet. When I drive over any un leveled road the car wants to go with the groove of the road. In turns the steering is tight. Its when the wheel is in the straight position where it has play. Can you please help give me an idea.
Thank you

txag_530i

How many miles are on the car? Loose steering could be many things, but I'd start with the inner and out tie rod ends.

Bumpersexpress

140k miles

Bumpersexpress

bump

peachykonan

2004 BMW 525i, 96k miles.

Two steering related comments:

On-center steering was vague, but a power steering fluid flush resolved this completely.

I recently changed my tires and tried to get an alignment done by the dealer. They told me my tie rods were seized, and quoted me a ridiculous amount to replace it. I took my car to an indie who replaced them with an alignment, and the steering is much improved. I was experiencing a small but intermittent knock or clunk when turning left/right, and it's gone now.

Bumpersexpress

I actually got diagnosed with a bad steering rack. When I'm turning wheel doesn't roll back on it's own. When car is straight I have a lot of dead space in the steering. So I found a good prices steering rack with replacement warranty. I'll have my mechanic swap it out for me.