Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 26 to 50 of 87

Thread: One of my favorite mods...

  1. #26
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    10,140
    My Cars
    Z3M Coupe, Z4M, E90 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by davebho View Post
    Cool mod. Few questions, how many miles on your car? And what does this really solve?

    On my car, I have 22k miles, and just got new tires alignment and I find that the steering wheel is turned to the left a little when going strait. Shop says alignment is strait, steering wheel seems to be off. Does this mod correct that?

    Thanks, Dave
    This will just correct slop in the steering, making a more solid connection from the wheel to the steering rack.

    The steering wheel not being straight is an alignment issue. The shop screwed up on that, have them fix it. During an alignment, they can set the wheel wherever they want.

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    DC/FL
    Posts
    1,445
    My Cars
    Tesla MYP
    Quote Originally Posted by Ghery View Post
    The steering feel is MUCH better, like it should be. I don't see a down side. I guess on older cars, the bushing is made to rip on impact so the column doesn't hit the driver, but on Z3s, the lower joint is made to collapse.
    I thought I'd bring this up. I ordered an aluminum steering bushing awhile ago from the same guy that made the one for Ghery.

    I was looking around on the forum and stumbled on an older thread that outlined the issues with switching to a solid steering bushing.

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=912985

    Apparently Diffsonline once made an aluminum bushing but discontinued production after a number of people reported steering rack failures.

    Obviously Ghery has the knowledge and skill to keep an eye on issues with the steering rack but I just figured I'd shed light on possible problems.

    Since I was planning on throwing on the aluminum bushing soon I'm happy I stumbled on the thread. I DD my car and don't plan on tracking it but I would prefer better steering response but not at the expense of my steering rack.

    Again, kudos to Ghery for bringing this mod to my attention; I think I'll try out that hockey puck.

  3. #28
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    10,140
    My Cars
    Z3M Coupe, Z4M, E90 M3
    I will have urethane bushings available soon.

    Used on 3 cars so far with no draw backs. One is a race car.

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    418
    My Cars
    E30 / ???
    Good stuff Ghery.

    I did this when I put in an M3 rack into my E30 a few years ago, I really like how it feels over the rubber as well. I imagine it feels even better in a Z3.

    Because it needed to be stated.
    - break (verb) to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
    - brake (noun) something used to slow down or stop movement or activity

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    DC/FL
    Posts
    1,445
    My Cars
    Tesla MYP
    Quote Originally Posted by Ghery View Post
    I will have urethane bushings available soon.

    Used on 3 cars so far with no draw backs. One is a race car.
    Good stuff, let me know when they're available, I'll pick one up.

    Anyone want an aluminum bushing let me know.

    Same as Ghery's, $25 shipped.

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Gilroy, California
    Posts
    2,886
    My Cars
    99' Z3, 11' STI, Ruckus
    Just did this with a hockey puck. Now my steering is tighter then my girlfriends....

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    12,124
    My Cars
    2002 Smurf Hearse
    Quote Originally Posted by The ZED View Post
    Just did this with a hockey puck. Now my steering is tighter then my girlfriends....
    ...your girlfriends steering?
    jeremy [AT] coupecartel [DOT] com

    1 of 1 | 2002 Laguna Seca Blue/Black M Coupe | LK61201
    "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.."



  8. #33
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    6,815
    My Cars
    M3, MZ3, 348TS, Chevelle
    Perhaps are '01+ steering couplings of a different revision that is stiffer/longer life? I know it had some serious steel cord reinforcement internally. I did the aluminum steering coupling @ 95k mi last summer and really didn't feel a discernible difference. My steering 'feel' resolution should be pretty high with fresh delrin FCABs, new balljoints, new tie rods eliminating any compliance insulating from a direct input and feedback.
    Last edited by Itsablurr; 04-26-2011 at 06:01 PM.

    BMW M3 - Ferrari 348 - Chevrolet Chevelle

  9. #34
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kolob
    Posts
    1,954
    My Cars
    Horse drawn chariot
    Quote Originally Posted by Ghery View Post
    Ever since I started running 255s up front
    Wow never thought 255s would fit up front.....what offset are you running?
    "My man did you simply get carried away with your dramatic gesture or were you pointing your water gun at me with lethal intentions ?"

  10. #35
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Gilroy, California
    Posts
    2,886
    My Cars
    99' Z3, 11' STI, Ruckus
    Quote Originally Posted by Itsablurr View Post
    Perhaps are '01+ steering couplings of a different revision that is stiffer/longer life? I know it had some serious steel cord reinforcement internally. I did the aluminum steering coupling @ 95k mi last summer and really didn't feel a discernible difference. My steering 'feel' resolution should be pretty high with fresh delrin FCABs, new balljoints, new tie rods eliminating any compliance insulating from a direct input and feedback.
    The rubber piece I removed was pretty soft (218k miles). I could very easily bend it in half by hand.

  11. #36
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Grevenbroich, NRW, Germany
    Posts
    181
    My Cars
    1998 BMW Z3 M Coupé
    Quote Originally Posted by Ghery View Post
    I will have urethane bushings available soon.

    Used on 3 cars so far with no draw backs. One is a race car.
    Are these available now Ghery?

    Best regards,
    Phil

  12. #37
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Grevenbroich, NRW, Germany
    Posts
    181
    My Cars
    1998 BMW Z3 M Coupé
    Push. =)

    Best regards,
    Phil

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fayetteville
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1997 BMW Z3, 1985 E30
    Just wanted to know were is the best place to get the new bushing... Didn't see it on Pelican.

    Thanks again,

    Clint

  14. #39
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Silver spring, MD
    Posts
    171
    My Cars
    2000 Estoril M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by IRPancake View Post
    Its one of those things that "why not", a hockey puck costs a few bucks? then just drill out the holes. I've seen people use pucks for several things on cars already, now heres another
    I have seen people use stacks of pucks to do truck lifts also...

  15. #40
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Salem, Nh
    Posts
    1,657
    My Cars
    01 Z3M Coupe
    Ghery,
    When you have the ureathane version availble I'll take one provided it will fit on an 01 M coupe.
    Checked out real oem and from the diagram it looks like part number 32311092644 is one piece.

    itsablurr you have an s54 coupe I'm assuming 01 or 02 and said you put the aluminum version in.
    Is it shown as one piece because of how it's assembled with rivets ???

    It looks like a nice mod I'd like to put on my to do list.

    BTW - Hockey pucks also make great cushions when putting your car up on jack stands, simply insert between the jack stand and the car. Provides greater surface area contact and the stands won't scratch or dent the metal.
    Last edited by CMM3; 06-20-2012 at 03:59 PM.

  16. #41
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    10,140
    My Cars
    Z3M Coupe, Z4M, E90 M3
    Sorry, was never able to get more of these made...

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Andover, MN
    Posts
    1,452
    My Cars
    Z3 Coupe, ZHP, E46 M3
    Sounds interesting, I'm always a fan of a cheap mod!

  18. #43
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Huntingdon Valley, PA
    Posts
    1,617
    My Cars
    2018 X4 M40i
    Quote Originally Posted by CaliAgents View Post
    I look like a hunid rack, feel like a hunid rack, sippin' on a hunid rack, homie how you lovin' that!

    We straight entrepreneur out here you feel me? That's how Cali niggas, especially Bay cats do it. We don't sip none o' that Redbull out here. On sight on the grind mayn!



    Dude, you ain't been PAID, you been HAD! You must nota been in the bank for a long time, must be those wanted signs with your face on them. The blue wrappahs are for Washingtons, not Bens. Yo Hunid Rack is just a hunid...in ones!

    Poof, off to the Playa Hata's Ball...

    [ame]http://youtu.be/fKXwj7ZrHIc[/ame]
    2018 X4 M40i

  19. #44
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Corte Madera, CA
    Posts
    779
    My Cars
    2006 Porsche C2S Cab
    Oh snap!

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    US
    Posts
    19
    My Cars
    1996 Z3
    Um, we don't know how tight that is!

  21. #46
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    252
    My Cars
    2001 M Coupe
    Epic necro bump, sharky1.

    Quote Originally Posted by The ZED View Post
    Just did this with a hockey puck. Now my steering is tighter then my girlfriends....
    13 ON-TOPIC POSTS AND NEARLY 4 YEARS LATER...

    Quote Originally Posted by sharky1 View Post
    Um, we don't know how tight that is!

  22. #47
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    Everything CaliAgents says...

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    498
    My Cars
    2000 M roadster
    hows the original mod holding up???
    we need an update!

  24. #49
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    183
    My Cars
    Z3 25rstr 325ix X5 4.8is
    I just read this whole thread and I'm surprised that nobody talked about the added risks in the case of an accident. The rubber coupling is made to collapse and tear apart to avoid having the steering column being pushed inside the cabin, and into your body. Unless this mod is made on a race car with 6 pts harnesses, I'm not sure I would do it on a street car. It is normal that someone can fold the rubber disc in two with their hands since that part is not made to force in that direction, but in a radial direction.

    If the OP feels some loose with wide tires up front, may be urethane bushing in the front control arms would help, it helped on my X5 with 275 up front and 25mm spacers.

  25. #50
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    10,982
    My Cars
    Coupes...
    Speaking as someone who has had a head on collision with a tree, that bushing doesn't do anything.

    The corrugated shaft does bend like bendy straw though. I wouldn't worry too much about the bushing tearing out so much as the whole shaft being tied into a knot.

    You can probably bend it with your bare hands if you really want to pretend your the hulk.
    White is Right, Steel Grey is OK, but Estoril is the only color that truly matters.

    I like Coupes.

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •