Can’t take the play on my steering

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   Just Bought the car of my dreams, 2 litre E28 on an E plate.
It was my childhood ambition to own one. I actually convinced myself that the Ford Focus was the best affordable fun i could had on four wheels, until i drove my E28. There is play in the steering, which means that i have to fight with the steering over 60 mph........ it just seems to sway every time it hits a bump on the road. I was wondering if anyone could talk me through a checklist of things to look for to locate the root of the problem.
I rate myself as a ........ 3 spanner on the Haynes manual. I like to get my hands dirty, and i really don't mind a challenge as long as i'm equipped to deal with the challenge. I would take it to a mechanic, but the problem is that i live in North east London and it's very difficult to get hold of an honest mechanic who doesn't charge the earth. 
I look forward to any reply 
Cheers

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tazman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-January-2003 Location: Albania Status: Offline Points: 9	Topic: Can’t take the play on my steering Posted: 02-January-2003 at 02:51
	Just Bought the car of my dreams, 2 litre E28 on an E plate. It was my childhood ambition to own one. I actually convinced myself that the Ford Focus was the best affordable fun i could had on four wheels, until i drove my E28. There is play in the steering, which means that i have to fight with the steering over 60 mph........ it just seems to sway every time it hits a bump on the road. I was wondering if anyone could talk me through a checklist of things to look for to locate the root of the problem. I rate myself as a ........ 3 spanner on the Haynes manual. I like to get my hands dirty, and i really don't mind a challenge as long as i'm equipped to deal with the challenge. I would take it to a mechanic, but the problem is that i live in North east London and it's very difficult to get hold of an honest mechanic who doesn't charge the earth. I look forward to any reply Cheers

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Goldsoul Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17-December-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 35	Posted: 03-January-2003 at 23:33
	I've got a 1985 520I and had the same problem. I went through 8 track rod ends until I pinned the problem to the centre tie bar (the centre linkage that connects the track rod end assemblies to the steering box). Best thing to do is jack the front end of the car up & move the frond wheels from left to right & watch all the joints. If one of them "jolts" then you either have a worn track rod end or tie bar. It should be easy to spot the culprit but do both sides cos u may have more than one worn joint. If they are intact & there seems to be no play in the box then the chances are that you have either worn bushes/joints on your track control arms or worn antiroll bar bushes. Also check the sway arms (the stabiliser arms that hang down & link with the antiroll bar) cos they may be shot even if they look intact. You can adjust the steering box by using the screw on the top to adjust box "chatter" but the chances are that it will be coroded on solid. All of this can be checked with the front of the vehicle on axle stands Just "play" with the joints and replace whatever is worn. Hope that helps

tazman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-January-2003 Location: Albania Status: Offline Points: 9	Posted: 05-January-2003 at 01:08
	nice one!