Is there supposed to be a bit of play in the steering rack?

[GetOuttaMyWay]

I've had a shimmy in my front end for a few months. I assumed it was the bushings in the front end. I finally lifted the front end and checked it out. The bushings, while old, don't look severely worn. I noticed there seems to be a bit of movement in the steering rack (not the tie rods) if I push on the wheels and try to turn them left-right with my hands. Is it normal to have a little play in there, or is it supposed to be tight?

I should mention it's most noticeable at lower speeds.

[pdxmotorhead]

Should be NO play in the tie rod ends, the rack should have little play, but very little.. < 1/16 inch.. You should feel a tic of slop when you move the wheel, but it should be tough to feel. If your alignment if off just a bit and there is any play in the bushings, it amplifies the problem.

Dave

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Makes sense. I just ordered a set of LCA's and the m3 offset bushings. I'll pop those in and get it aligned and hope that fixes the problem. It looks like a new rack is pricey. The car is coming up on 150k and the stuff in there looks original. Also noticed one tire is wearing unevenly.

[pdxmotorhead]

The worn tie rods will cause what we refer to as the "Death Wobble" At some resonant speed the tires will flutter .. Scary stuff.. I started running Amsoil synthetic ATF in the power steering seems to help keep the pump quieter..

Dave

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Any play seems to be at the inboard (rack) side, opposed to at the tie-rod side close to the wheels. I'm hoping to pop my new bushings and LCA's in on Sat AM. Good to know about the PS pump... my hoses are a bit weepy, at some point I'd like to refresh the reservoir and hoses and flush the fluid.

Do you happen to know about alignment with the '95 M3 bushings? I'm wondering if when I go to the alignment shop if I should tell them to use the spec for a 1995 m3, vs TI?

[Romak]

Originally Posted by GetOuttaMyWay

Any play seems to be at the inboard (rack) side, opposed to at the tie-rod side close to the wheels. I'm hoping to pop my new bushings and LCA's in on Sat AM. Good to know about the PS pump... my hoses are a bit weepy, at some point I'd like to refresh the reservoir and hoses and flush the fluid.

Do you happen to know about alignment with the '95 M3 bushings? I'm wondering if when I go to the alignment shop if I should tell them to use the spec for a 1995 m3, vs TI?

The offset fcab's change the caster and move the wheel forward in the wheel well by roughly an inch (compensates the rubbing when running larger wheels) It shouldn't affect the numbers too much, just as long as they are an even amount on both sides when aligning it, but it will change the toe if you're coming from centered bushings and it'll have to be re-adjusted. Remember that the offset hole in the bushing goes closest to the mounting holes in the lollipop. Otherwise you'll end up moving the wheel backwards.