Since my post in the E61 section yielded nothing I thought maybe you E60 gents can shed some light on this;

On All my previous cars (not BMW's) when driving, the steering wheel returned to the center position after big or small steering movements.

On my 525D (non active steering) when I slightly turn the wheel (changing lanes on the motorway) the steering wheel doesn't fully return to the center position. So I have to put the steering wheel in te correct center position, otherwise the car would continue driving in a curved line.

Maybe this is due to the fact that it is a rear wheel drive car?

Do any of you notice the same with your car?

 

Suspension geometry ( Caster + toe ) would normaly influence the steering back to the central position, however I believe the E60 has an electric servo assisted motor for the steering IIRC ??? oso not sure if the same rules apply on that .............? certainly doesn't sound normal tho.

 

A FWD car does center the steering faster than a RWD car, but your steering should turn to center while driving.
Maybe check your allignment, it could be off. A BMW (being a RWD car) is quite sensitive for wrong allignment (especially with RFT's)!

 

+1
I manged to rip 2 front RFTs to shreds due to camber issues on the rear.

 

Absolutely, On the FWD you have rolling inertia plus torque aiding the steering back to neutral / central steering, as a rule FWD cars also carry more Caster which also plays a large role in centering the steering

That aside comparing FWD and RWD cars here on this subject is useless and not worth doing in any case

 

The car is at the shop next monday and I have added this problem to the list. Thx for the suggestions guys!

 

Bump for an old thread. Did you ever solve this issue? If so.. what was it?

I’m losing my mind with the same symptoms. 2008 535 with just under 50k miles, no active steering.

 

When's the last time it was aligned? 50,000 miles isn't much, but those bushings are likely to wear out about as fast due to age as miles. Of course, if you DO have worn bushings, an alignment won't fix it - for that you have to replace the worn parts and THEN get an alignment.

 

I just replaced the thrust arms with Meyle HD and got an alignment. This is what I’m left with.