Comprehensive Steering Information Thread

[SQ13]

Try running zero toe up front. And switch to ZCP or ZHP steering rack if you haven’t done so already. Recently drove an M3 with stock rack, and it was awful.

[1000hp]

Thanks. I'll see how it goes with the pump spacers and maybe a harder steering joint.

May try zero total toe, too. I've found that to be a little on the nervous side in the past, but that may have been the Z3 rack + zero toe.

[Obioban]

Just read through this whole thread.

Maybe I've missed something, but is there a rack that doesn't have a big dead spot on center? Never had a car with steering that was both vague and nervous at the same time...until now 😆

It's like you're whipping the steering wheel around too easily on center, but don't notice that it's too easy because it's dead. And then it suddenly breaks out of the dead zone and gets nervous. Is this how they all are??

I've done the Z3 rack thing before, on an e36 M3, and it was indeed way too twitchy for me. In fact it was one of only two mods I would not have done over again (and won't do with this car).

I have the pump regulator spacers coming. Hopefully that will correct the over-assist issue. But what about the on-center response? Are any of these rack options more responsive in the middle without being spastic?

The nervousness is almost certainly not rack related— RTABs, alignment, ride height, some other bushing, etc.

[bluptgm3]

Just read through this whole thread.

Maybe I've missed something, but is there a rack that doesn't have a big dead spot on center? Never had a car with steering that was both vague and nervous at the same time...until now 😆

Could be an alignment issue.
Too much toe in can make steering feel slow and too much toe out makes a car twitchy.

Tire pressure can enhance or detract from the above characteristics.


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[1000hp]

It has 1/16" (~0.2°-ish) total toe in it as it sits. Camber is right around -2° front and rear.

I love a good reason to buy new parts, but I don't find any play or excessive movement in anything up front. I'll take a look at the RTABS. The diff bushings are worn and will be replaced soon, but the rear seems pretty well planted.

Pretty confident that I'm interpreting the behavior correctly. It's not nervous at all on center. It's pretty vague on center, then the overly light steering becomes more obvious with more input.

Update: the RTABs are soft 😐. Will update again when that's addressed.