Does anyone have a fix for "light" steering?

[Jason]

I have replaced the entire suspension of the car recently, adjusted the steering box as per the directions on Bruno's site, that helped a little but the steering is finger light, almost towncar-esque. has anyone had this problem? If i were losing power steering fluid, wouldn't it become tougher to turn? Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance

[Badshift]

Did the steering problem happen suddenly, or was always like that?

I had the same problem with a 535i when I bought it used and the steering was always loose. Adjusting the box did not help. It turned out that the entire steering box would have to be rebuilt. Cost=$2500. I sold the car soon.

Well, good luck.

Long live the E34.

Badshift.

I have replaced the entire suspension of the car recently, adjusted the steering box as per the directions on Bruno's site, that helped a little but the steering is finger light, almost towncar-esque. has anyone had this problem? If i were losing power steering fluid, wouldn't it become tougher to turn? Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance

[AllanS]

George Mann posted directions for tightening the shaft nut under the steering column- this greatly improved steering feel when I did it on my 525i. Search the old archive for it. Basically, when you remove the large piece under the steering column, above the pedals, there's a large nut on the steering shaft. If you tighten it, it tightens up steering feel a lot, so long as you don't over-do it. If your steering box is shot, I'd assume that this would just be a band-aid type fix.

[Warren N.CA]

If they are the same all around, it would be too light a feel. Supposed to be lower in front. See door frame.

[Mr Project]

Can the PS be eliminated on an E34 and keep the PB? On my friends E28 they are a shared system, so losing one means losing the other...obviously deleting the PS would get rid of the 'light' steering.

[Unregistered]

Can the PS be eliminated on an E34 and keep the PB? On my friends E28 they are a shared system, so losing one means losing the other...obviously deleting the PS would get rid of the 'light' steering.

On some e28 and on the e32 the PS and PB share the same hydraulics.You can't throw one and keep the other.The e34 has separate systems.I have never heard of anybody removing the PS on the e34!It will be almost impossible to steer with the car stationary,unlike the e30.Try steering the car with the engine off and you will know what I mean...on the e34 that is...

[mjhanna]

I have replaced the entire suspension of the car recently, adjusted the steering box as per the directions on Bruno's site, that helped a little but the steering is finger light, almost towncar-esque. has anyone had this problem? If i were losing power steering fluid, wouldn't it become tougher to turn? Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance

Confirm that you tightened the front control & thrust arms under load. My steering had a strange "light" feel to it, until I corrected the work done at a new indy shop I tried. Good Luck!

[Unregistered]

My mechanic said that it was possible to revalve the steering box to take away the "lightness"-any one know what's exactly involved?

AlanY
1990 M5

[ryan roopnarine]

but yes, there is a very inexpensive rebuild kit for the zf steering boxes on e34s, and it is rebuildable if it is broken, but much more knowledgable ppl here have said that the likelyhood that a steering box (on e34) needs to be "replaced" tends to be very very small.

My mechanic said that it was possible to revalve the steering box to take away the "lightness"-any one know what's exactly involved?

AlanY
1990 M5