Steering kickback
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: '06 530i N52
I've had dealer mechanics tell me something is fine (or non-existent) when it's not. Whatever they say is subjective. You drive your car and know what's normal. What you are experiencing, in my opinion, is not normal. None of my 4 BMWs ever exhibited that issue. It seems like your caster might be off. You may want to have an alignment shop take a look at it.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Have a look at the bolts on both ends of this shaft. One part is under the dash and the other part is under the hood. There are pinch bolts on both ends. They need to be tight or the spline they mate to can jump around and you get weird movements.
Here is a closeup of the pinch bolt joint (the bolt is not installed in this photo) You get the idea...the spline goes in and then a bolt is inserted into the holes and it tightens around the spline:
Here is a closeup of the pinch bolt joint (the bolt is not installed in this photo) You get the idea...the spline goes in and then a bolt is inserted into the holes and it tightens around the spline:
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: France
My Ride: E60 520da luxury
First thanks to all of you for your help and precious feedback.
Well, come to any european city center where paved roads are really bumpy ahah. It's heaven for mechanics they're always busy lol. I agree that the road feeling is great on this car yes.
Thing is have always been satisfied with bmw dealers for diagnosis like those. My brother was complaining of slight vibration barely noticeable they came up with a fly wheel/clutch issue ahah (and they were correct)
The mechanic advised me to do an alignment. The thing is that I kind of have this issue prior to the tie rod/arm changes and did 2 alignments in the mean time. I always had this crooked steering.
Okay I'll look then asap. Thanks a lot.
I'd say yes. This can be a difficult subject because the forces involved are very subjective. And I'm far from an expert on bumpy roads, living in the Phoenix, AZ east valley (nothing but smooth, flat roads everywhere). I'll try to remember to "test" my car by going no-hands over a speed bump at an angle, and see how much deflection I get.
But otherwise, I have to say that my E61 has the best road feel of any car I've ever owned... well, other than my E46 330i ZHP, and my Fiat X1/9 (I often claimed that not only could I feel if I drove over a penny, but I could tell if it was heads or tails). Of course, no other element of the Fiat's ride "quality" was anything like my (much larger, much heavier) E61 (thankfully). That X1/9 was kind of a cross between a Ferarri and a go-kart. ;-)
But otherwise, I have to say that my E61 has the best road feel of any car I've ever owned... well, other than my E46 330i ZHP, and my Fiat X1/9 (I often claimed that not only could I feel if I drove over a penny, but I could tell if it was heads or tails). Of course, no other element of the Fiat's ride "quality" was anything like my (much larger, much heavier) E61 (thankfully). That X1/9 was kind of a cross between a Ferarri and a go-kart. ;-)
I've had dealer mechanics tell me something is fine (or non-existent) when it's not. Whatever they say is subjective. You drive your car and know what's normal. What you are experiencing, in my opinion, is not normal. None of my 4 BMWs ever exhibited that issue. It seems like your caster might be off. You may want to have an alignment shop take a look at it.
The mechanic advised me to do an alignment. The thing is that I kind of have this issue prior to the tie rod/arm changes and did 2 alignments in the mean time. I always had this crooked steering.
Have a look at the bolts on both ends of this shaft. One part is under the dash and the other part is under the hood. There are pinch bolts on both ends. They need to be tight or the spline they mate to can jump around and you get weird movements.
Here is a closeup of the pinch bolt joint (the bolt is not installed in this photo) You get the idea...the spline goes in and then a bolt is inserted into the holes and it tightens around the spline:
Here is a closeup of the pinch bolt joint (the bolt is not installed in this photo) You get the idea...the spline goes in and then a bolt is inserted into the holes and it tightens around the spline:
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: France
My Ride: E60 520da luxury
I did one of after tie rod change and one that was free with my new tires 3k km after the first one.
At the second one they noticed it was off value (weird because the first one I got the report and everything was fine) and they corrected it, but the car still pulls to one side despite the good alignment report.
Went to the shop again, they checked it and they said they couldn't do more and Ill have to go to bmw to check more suspension parts.
However, I have only seems the mechanics touching the tie rod. Nothing else, is it normal? I mean the tie rod doesn't change camber and caster AND toe ?
So now I'm kind of stuck ahah
At the second one they noticed it was off value (weird because the first one I got the report and everything was fine) and they corrected it, but the car still pulls to one side despite the good alignment report.
Went to the shop again, they checked it and they said they couldn't do more and Ill have to go to bmw to check more suspension parts.
However, I have only seems the mechanics touching the tie rod. Nothing else, is it normal? I mean the tie rod doesn't change camber and caster AND toe ?
So now I'm kind of stuck ahah
Last edited by Matouti; Nov 16, 2022 at 02:23 AM.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: France
My Ride: E60 520da luxury
For the car pulling or the steering issue?
I just changed tie rods. Maybe they have issues.. I'll remove them and check again then.
I don't know anymore mechanics here ahaha. There is this self-garage place I'll go to someday always wanted to have my car up in the air and take a good look at it everything.
I just changed tie rods. Maybe they have issues.. I'll remove them and check again then.
I don't know anymore mechanics here ahaha. There is this self-garage place I'll go to someday always wanted to have my car up in the air and take a good look at it everything.
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