How to make steering more responsive ????

[Iwo]

I'm making list of things that I'm going to change/upgrade on my new car.
First thing that I want to improve is steering.. I guess I got spoiled with E46 M3 steering because my 525i is so dull in the middle that I can't stand it ???
Is there anything that I can do to change steering ratio ???? or at least make it heavier ??? I know bushings are one option (are those from Ebay any good ???) but what else can I do ?????
and if bushings are the only solution which one should I get ?????

[Interceptor]

I'm making list of things that I'm going to change/upgrade on my new car.
First thing that I want to improve is steering.. I guess I got spoiled with E46 M3 steering because my 525i is so dull in the middle that I can't stand it ???
Is there anything that I can do to change steering ratio ???? or at least make it heavier ??? I know bushings are one option (are those from Ebay any good ???) but what else can I do ?????
and if bushings are the only solution which one should I get ?????

While E46 has rack & pinion steering, E34 has recirculating ball which by construction is less direct and there's really nothing drastic you can do about it. There are a few changes you can do to make things a bit better:
- tigthen that big nut under the wheel (when you remove the plastic cover under it), but do not overtighten it or else the telescoping adjustment won't work
- adjust the steering box: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...eering_box.htm
- upgrade to polyurethane bushings

[Sam-Son]

While E46 has rack & pinion steering, E34 has recirculating ball which by construction is less direct and there's really nothing drastic you can do about it. There are a few changes you can do to make things a bit better:
- tigthen that big nut under the wheel (when you remove the plastic cover under it), but do not overtighten it or else the telescoping adjustment won't work
- adjust the steering box: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...eering_box.htm
- upgrade to polyurethane bushings

The big nut under the steering column? any pics to be a little bit more descriptive?

[Interceptor]

The big nut under the steering column? any pics to be a little bit more descriptive?

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/steeringplay.htm

[Bin_jammin]

I'm making list of things that I'm going to change/upgrade on my new car.
First thing that I want to improve is steering.. I guess I got spoiled with E46 M3 steering because my 525i is so dull in the middle that I can't stand it ???
Is there anything that I can do to change steering ratio ???? or at least make it heavier ??? I know bushings are one option (are those from Ebay any good ???) but what else can I do ?????
and if bushings are the only solution which one should I get ?????

Well, I don't know how well known or documented it is, but I was recently installing new parts onto a friend's 535im. He had just purchased an m5 front end setup, which came with steering box, center link, tie rods... pretty much the works. When it arrived, the left center link post had been bashed when being disassembled, all mushed over and useless. I had the front end from my e32 parts car laying around (complete) and it had fairly low miles on it. Took it off the shelf, gave it a quick inspection, and determined it was in good shape.

We were trying to get the car ready for show-n-shine, and it was about 1am. on Sunday, the day of. I put the front end together out of pieces from the m5 setup (the steering box was going on another 5 series he owns) and the e32 setup. Put it all together and the front tires were MASSIVELY toed in. I couldn't figure it out, it was like 2am, and I was exhausted from days of no sleep. Turns out that the center links on the e32 and the e34 are different in once small way. The ears that stick out on the sides that are where the tie rods attach are about an inch longer on the e32. If I had had access to an alignment shop I would have been able to reset the toe, but I had not.

Now here's where it gets interesting, if you had the longer ears on a car, it would seemingly give you faster turn-in by giving you more leverage on the tie-rods. I'll grab my camera and take pics of the two pieces next to each other.

[Sam-Son]

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/steeringplay.htm

thanks

[gale]

A smaller steering wheel will give you a quicker feel for turn in. I went from a stock wheel, approx. 395 mm, to an M-tech 2 wheel, 370 mm dia, and was pleasantly surprised how it made the steering feel quicker.

[Interceptor]

A smaller steering wheel will give you a quicker feel for turn in. I went from a stock wheel, approx. 395 mm, to an M-tech 2 wheel, 370 mm dia, and was pleasantly surprised how it made the steering feel quicker.

Same here. But it also made the steering heavier! And upgrading to 235 front tires made it even more heavy. In some situations it feels like it's not power-assisted...

[Sam-Son]

I've got the Mtech3 and 235's up front and I think that the steering feel is perfect, but I would like to reduce the play and a more direct ratio would be a dream

[rob101]

Now here's where it gets interesting, if you had the longer ears on a car, it would seemingly give you faster turn-in by giving you more leverage on the tie-rods. I'll grab my camera and take pics of the two pieces next to each other.

um, why do you think leverage = faster turn in. if you don't move the rack it may make the angle that the steering arms are at a higher angle and you'll lose mechanical advantage in that respect. that is if i understand you are proposing to move the steering pickup outwards more from the centre of the hub.