Hello, Looking for assistance diagnosing my '91 740 turbo's mysterious steering problems.
Here are the symptoms; The car sometimes tracks straight and true a varying speeds but at other times feels like it is pulling to the left, the really interesting problems is a slight shift/tug/pull to the right that occurs when making an long arching/gradual turn to the right, this shift occurs particularly when driving at highway speeds (50 MPH+) and moving from the left lane into the right.
Additional info: 1. I have replaced; both front struts (Bilstein touring from FCP), strut mounts w/bearing/mount kits (struts were bad). 2. When replacing struts I replaced one ball joint and one tie rod end (both bad). 3. Prior to struts & joint replacement I replaced; calipers (rebuilt), pads (PBR's from IPD), wheel bearings checked out as good. 4. Tires are new Dunlop radials in good condition, well balanced w/no apparent defects (driven about 5k). 5. After installing struts and joints I had the car aligned by an alignment specialist who replaced one inner tie rod end that was questionable, when I drove car home it was fine a low speed & seemed well aligned but, started the shifty steering thing on the highway. I have taken the car back to be diagnosed I wondered if there is a flaw/problem in the steering rack? and the shop owner (who is very irritated) wants to 1. Remove and reinstall the struts in case I did the job wrong (I spent and entire day & very carefully researched/read & followed instructions gland nuts are tight and the bearings work smoothly w/no clunking lock to lock). 2. Wants to remove and replace ball joints as they may be bad (says they can't really be checked by examining or shifting wheel on a lift. Says there is no way to test if the steering rack is the problem unless everything else is done 1st. I have told him I will pay him for diagnostic time and will p/u car. I would be willing to replace ball joints & steering rack w/rebuild myself and pay for re-alignment (this really pissed off shop owner) but I'm not willing to pay for labor to re-do everything and then be told it needs new rack in addition. Suggestions please (polite ones)
Thanks, Mike