Front end Dramas

[Browny23]

Hi all,

I have a 1995 318is M which is become very loose in the front end. It pulls to one side (depending on the grooves in road!) and is very loose if it makes sense. What could it possibly be? Steerin rack, bushes? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Browny23
Adelaide, Australia

[Cruzin 323is]

if it pulls to one side... that means your alinment is off...

u have a 318 ///M ehh??? sounds cool!! lol

[4evrwyntr]

maybe mteknik?

[zeaq]

Originally Posted by Cruzin 323is

if it pulls to one side... that means your alinment is off...

u have a 318 ///M ehh??? sounds cool!! lol

Del's 318i Alpina...

[Furious]

take a look at the possiblitliy or new ball joints.

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by Browny23

Hi all,

I have a 1995 318is M which is become very loose in the front end. It pulls to one side (depending on the grooves in road!) and is very loose if it makes sense. What could it possibly be? Steerin rack, bushes? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Browny23
Adelaide, Australia

i was about to post the same thing today...just noticed my cars does this now ALOT....

[catalyst.]

control arms
bushings
tierods

[4evrwyntr]

^That'll do it^. Now remember to replace those bushings every couple years.

[SpeedInfusion]

how do u check for all these things?

[4evrwyntr]

Not without, say, a lift. Well, I wouldn't.

[Gkamysz]

Yeah, certain suspension components just have to replaced in these cars every so often. Front lower ball joints and control arm bushings are a must by the time the car has 60-70kMi on it. I had the same problem and that fixed it. I just got a 96 328i for my girlfriend, which had the those parts replaced, and the car drives fine. Ball joints and lower control arm bushings ran me 400 USD.

[bitcore]

Originally Posted by catalyst.

control arms
bushings
tierods

Replacing control arms also replaces both ball joints. The inner ball joints on our cars is NOT replaceable, so it's wise to just go ahead and replace the whole arm since it might be bent anyways. Get M3 lower control arm bushings to help keep your steering stiff, the stock ones are HORIFFIC.

DO NOT forget to check your real trailing arm bushings. They can make the car seem like the front end is loose, when in-fact, your toe for the rear wheels is changing, causing your entire car to basically rotate left or right. In addition to making driving in general unpleasent, it will eat up your rear tires pritty quick...

Gkamysz, it's not just our cars that need new suspension components, all cars do. Since our cars are engineered to have such tight suspension, you notice when parts degrade so replaceing parts is usually more common & frequent on ours.

[Gkamysz]

Sure, that's true, for a BMW to drive like a BMW you have to keep it up. Others you can hardly tell that parts are worn.

[Storamin]

You'd be surprised... the e36 is very forgiving of worn out suspension components.

[SHAHAB323IS]

Originally Posted by Cruzin 323is

if it pulls to one side... that means your alinment is off...

u have a 318 ///M ehh??? sounds cool!! lol

it's called a 318 m-sport i believe, teg had one