jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 Something rattling around in the head about a steering column nut that loosens on E34/32 etc. Does it share a column with?Very similar if not identical. Wrack that brain, Tony! I'll ask Google as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 Something like this? http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Steeringplay.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 Sweet! Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arma 134 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 How does the steering/handling feel in the e31 compared to the e39? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 How does the steering/handling feel in the e31 compared to the e39? Well, my 8 compares terribly at the moment because of the wobbly steering column and worn front-left shock but good ones I've driven handle amazingly well for such a big car. Not quite as tight in the twists as my E39 (which had servotronic steering) but still great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 Fixed a broken tab on the LHS kidney with plastic putty.... Holding so far: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3_Power 636 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 You NEED this Jooles!! http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/competition-cars/auction-792907370.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 Wow! Yes, I do!!! Better buy a Lotto ticket!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3_Power 636 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 (edited) Buy car ... rip engine and gearbox out (and anything else your heart desires - I am thinking the bodykit also) .... sell shell with old engine ... then proceed to go YIPPPEEEEEEE down Ponsonby road : ) Edited October 14, 2014 by M3_Power 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 Buy car ... rip engine and gearbox out (and anything else your heart desires - I am thinking the bodykit also) .... sell shell with old engine ... then proceed to go YIPPPEEEEEEE down Ponsonby road : )What a great idea... All I'm short is a garage and $23k!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1071 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 You NEED this Jooles!! http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/competition-cars/auction-792907370.htm 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted October 14, 2014 "Minor finishing required. " Sounds like a LOT! Epic build though. wowe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssbmw 220 Report post Posted October 15, 2014 I'd like to know how much that beast is putting out..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 15, 2014 I'd hazard a guess at somewhere between 500-550bhp at the crank. Doesn't look the seller has had the engine running yet though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssbmw 220 Report post Posted October 15, 2014 Jooles you should drop a line to Alan Ferguson- he may be interested in adding number 11 E31 to the collection! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 15, 2014 Already did! Don't think he was that interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted October 15, 2014 just needs this http://www.koenig-specials.com/homepage%20neu/navigation%20neu%20englisch.htmDid you see the e32 body kit they have?http://www.koenig-specials.com/homepage%20neu/navigation%20neu%20englisch.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 Something like this? http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Steeringplay.htm Pulled the lower dash out and had a good look around. The play all seems to start after the rubber universal joint (#2): Here's a quick vid of the joint when I move the steering wheel in and out: No idea if it's mean to bend as much as that but the play in the steering at the wheel (about 5mm up and down) definitely starts there and there's no play in the column below the joint, so I'll get a new one. I think worn front shocks are also contributing to the harshness when you hit bumps at speed but it's being accentuated by the play in this joint. Hopefully replacing it will fix the worst of the issues and prevent a few brown trousers cornering at pace when the wheel feels like it's going to bounce out of your hands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1071 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 Total guess here, based on what I've seen in other cars: I'd think this would be an issue caused at the top of the steering column - example: my VW van; if you put a Porsche steering wheel on, the back of the wheel doesn't hold the top bush in tight enough, and the column can go up and down, then the bush moves up too far, and the wheel gets a bit floppy. My Porsche steering wheel has a spacer added on the rear to keep the bush in place, and it's all tight. The rubber donut (as you show) doesn't do anything to position the column on my Van... though I'd repalce yours too - may have had a lot of unusual flexing from the movement. Maybe there is a worn bush, or a similar "design" to the VW at the top end??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 I'll try and take a vid of the column with the wheel off. There are two metal spacers that sit loose when the adjuster is all the way in and it's at this point there's most play in the wheel but when the adjuster is as far out as it will go the spacers are tight and push the rubber bush in around the column preventing the play. However, even with the adjuster out you can feel the bumps dramatically through the wheel when you drive which leads me to think it's another issue. I've checked all the front suspension parts and there doesn't seem to be much play in the column at the steering box which is why I'm thinking it's that little guibo. Guess it's a pretty cheap fix and will eliminate it as a possible cause. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2425 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 i find it hard to believe that the rubber joint should move that much. A little bit of flex, sure, but that video makes it look like its made of bubblegum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 Like Allan, I would think there is a retention issue further up the column. I can't imagine that guibo being designed to control end float in the column Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) You're probably right and is are probably more than one issue at play here. So, probably part #2 (or #4 - they're both plastic) on here: It's #2 and the two metal rings (#3 and #6) that are loose when the wheel is adjusted fully in. I'll take the wheel off and get a vid. Should be easy enough to replace both if I'm doing the guibo at anyway. Edited October 19, 2014 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 It will be the guibo for sure, you will be surprised how much flex gets into them over time! I changed mine in the E36 to a brand new one (lower steering shaft assembly) and it was a night and day difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites