Hard steering

[EventuallyAyrton]

Just recently, I've started to notice hard steering in the E28. It's like I'm losing power steering but not completely, it's also not self centering which is the biggest issue, I go to let the wheel turn back and it doesn't. The brakes seem fine (hydroboost system) and still have full power assist. I've got full fluid in the resevoir and the PS pump isn't making any noise, it doesn't feel like the calipers are hanging up or anything. Any ideas?
Thanks!

[Jon in Richmond]

I'm having a similar problem. Steering input is hard at first and then becomes lighter as you turn the wheel. I just replaced the brake bomb (accumulator) and it was not like this prior to replacing.

[duggi]

I had this problem when my car was way out of alignment. Exact symptoms.

[EventuallyAyrton]

I had this problem when my car was way out of alignment. Exact symptoms.

That's what I thought but I had it up on an alignment rack like a month and a half ago and everything looked pretty good and I haven't hit any potholes or anything since then

[demetk]

Steering u-joint may be binding.

[EventuallyAyrton]

So I brought it to Adirondack Tire to have them check the alignment on a rack and it was bang on but they still charged me 85 bucks to just look at it, the bastards. The U-joint isn't binding or anything so I'm wondering if it's an internal failure in the steering box? If not, could it be something in the actual column itself that's interfering with the shaft?

[duggi]

From what I understand, over-tightening the adjusting nut on the top of the steering box can create this condition as well. Not that you did that, but just confirming that perhaps this could be caused by something internal to the steering box itself.

[EventuallyAyrton]

Interesting. I guess I can disconnect the U-joint and spin the wheel just to make sure it isn't anything in the column. Would loosening the screw on the top of the box do anything? I daren't touch it without knowing in the fear that I'll make it irreversibly worse. I know someone with an E34 that messed with it and completely ruined their box. Like, the wheel wouldn't turn anymore, ruined...

[EventuallyAyrton]

I did a bit of box adjustment research and found that turning that screw can cause the exact same things that I'm feeling. I guess my worry is that if my box is doing that without me having adjusted it, what'll happen if I actually fiddle with it? Am I just massively over thinking this?

[duggi]

My car had it's steering box mount fail (the typical failure) several years ago and my steering felt a bit loose ever since. Recently I decided to futz with that nut...tightened it a bit (maybe 1/3 of a turn) and it was binding on center a bit, so I backed it off to about 1/4 a turn (from it's original position) and it feels great now.

From what I understand, problems arise because people turn it too much...apparently it's a very fine adjustment. I'd mark it before moving it at all so you can reset if needed (white-out or nail polish are great for this kind of thing).

All that said, if it's never been touched and has never seen trauma of any kind, I'd be surprised if it helps...it's likely something else and any change there would either make no difference or mask the real issue.

[EventuallyAyrton]

Well, I'll back the nut off after work and see if it makes a difference...we shall see

[EventuallyAyrton]

I tried adjusting the screw and it was siezed in the nut and I turned the nut a bit and it started bleeding atf so I turned it back until it stopped. It was about 2mm of adjustment from where it was originally, I don't know if that would make any difference on a working box or not but mine is still binding in the middle and not self centering so I likely need a new box or to rebuild this one.

[duggi]

Mine was a bit seized at first, but it didn't leak once it broke free =(

[Mike W.]

It's standard to leak once the clamp nut is loosened, but it should stop once it's tightened again.

[demetk]

I tried adjusting the screw and it was siezed in the nut and I turned the nut a bit and it started bleeding atf so I turned it back until it stopped. It was about 2mm of adjustment from where it was originally, I don't know if that would make any difference on a working box or not but mine is still binding in the middle and not self centering so I likely need a new box or to rebuild this one.

The box is designed to feel stiffer on center. You need to adjust the box with the wheel turned about 1 turn off center. The best way to adjust it is to disconnect the steering linkage from the pitman arm on the box, then adjust it off center and finally check on center play.

[a]

You said the U-joint in the column wasn't frozen. How did you check it? Reason I asked is because Iv'e had them freeze on 2 daily drivers. The only way to test it is to take it off 1 side. I have one soaking in a jar of ATF . IIRC you have to loosen up the box to get it off. BTW, the steering box had 300k at the time and worked well. 5 differnt 523es over 20yrs, Zero box trouble. A frozen ball joint would do it too. They're not very common either.