Dropped subframe, steering now binds

peter91118 · 04-17-2014, 11:08 AM

I installed my VRSF downpipes this weekend following this guide. After getting the car back together the steering want to bind from 2 oclock to 5 oclock. Has anybody else had this issue after dropping the subframe?

Thanks for the help!

Tiago@VRSF · 04-17-2014, 11:32 AM

First I've ever heard of this problem. I'd get back under the car and make sure everything was re-installed correctly.

pwr hungry · 04-17-2014, 11:36 AM

Never heard of dropping the subframe for dp's. Hell, I didn't even drop the subframe to install a big ass single turbo...

Tiago@VRSF · 04-17-2014, 11:37 AM

It's common on the XI's although you don't have to completely drop it, just lower it a bit.

Ingeniator · 04-17-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter91118

I installed my VRSF downpipes this weekend following this guide. After getting the car back together the steering want to bind from 2 oclock to 5 oclock. Has anybody else had this issue after dropping the subframe?

Thanks for the help!

I dropped mine. I didn't have any binding but I zeroed my steering anyway. Did you check your tie rod ends for play when they were disconnected. Not sure about your mileage but mine will need to be changed in the next 10-15K miles.

peter91118 · 04-17-2014, 12:59 PM

I got back under the car and i cant see anything out of the ordinary. The car has 120k. i had it aligned and they didnt notice anything either. When driving if i turn right, let say for an entrance ramp to the highway, it will bind and not return by itself. I can force it to return obviously.

peter91118 · 04-17-2014, 01:00 PM

Also i did not disconnect my tie rod ends or any other suspension components. I just removed the 6 18mm bolts and let it hang.

pwr hungry · 04-17-2014, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter91118

Also i did not disconnect my tie rod ends or any other suspension components. I just removed the 6 18mm bolts and let it hang.

If you let it hang unheld by the bolts or threaded rods with nuts, you may have bent something. It's supposed to be supported when lowered.

Ingeniator · 04-17-2014, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwr hungry

If you let it hang unheld by the bolts or threaded rods with nuts, you may have bent something. It's supposed to be supported when lowered.

Not sure if you have AFS. But You may have did something to the rack. I would pull the boots and check your tie rod ends. More than likely one of them is binding. The rack itself seems to be super solid. I have an M rack siting in the garage to go in my 1 series and it is solid.

peter91118 · 04-17-2014, 01:29 PM

The guide i followed said you didnt have to support the subframe once it was lowered.

j1gilles · 04-17-2014, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter91118

The guide i followed said you didnt have to support the subframe once it was lowered.

check the boot where the steering shaft passes through the firewall

chepy24 · 04-17-2014, 03:39 PM

interesting! im doing mine tuesday curious to see what happened so we do need to support the sub frame? instead of just letting it hang? that was my plan lol

GMWNashville · 04-17-2014, 09:07 PM

Steering shaft...replaced several for the u joints binding especially on x drive

peter91118 · 04-17-2014, 09:16 PM

The entire suspension looks fine. I ran out of light before i could check the boot under the dash.

I had a similar problem on my old jeep. I hose the ujoints with wd40 and the problem would go away for a while. I will pull out this part tomorrow and see how it feels.

peter91118 · 04-18-2014, 07:06 PM

I pulled that part out today. It is definitely the issue. I will install the new one in the morning. Thanks for the help guys!

peter91118 · 04-18-2014, 07:10 PM

Also, it should be noted that this issue had nothing to do with the downpipe install. This thing was already at the end of its life, just being close to it with a wrench was enough to push it over the edge.

SaviorXi · 04-18-2014, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter91118

I pulled that part out today. It is definitely the issue. I will install the new one in the morning. Thanks for the help guys!

What part did you pull out and replace?

JC335xi · 04-19-2014, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaviorXi

What part did you pull out and replace?

The one he linked to in this post

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter91118

The entire suspension looks fine. I ran out of light before i could check the boot under the dash.

I had a similar problem on my old jeep. I hose the ujoints with wd40 and the problem would go away for a while. I will pull out this part tomorrow and see how it feels.

Tiago@VRSF · 04-19-2014, 09:33 AM

Great to hear it was resolved, thanks for keeping us updated!

SaviorXi · 04-19-2014, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC335xi

The one he linked to in this post

Thanks for the clarification. The ECS webpage shows the Lower Steering Joint Assembly is for an E90. Would this also work for E92? Thanks

JC335xi · 04-21-2014, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaviorXi

Thanks for the clarification. The ECS webpage shows the Lower Steering Joint Assembly is for an E90. Would this also work for E92? Thanks

If you search the same part number under E92 on their webpage it comes up there as well, so yes.

04-17-2014, 11:08 AM	#1
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Dropped subframe, steering now binds I installed my VRSF downpipes this weekend following this guide. After getting the car back together the steering want to bind from 2 oclock to 5 oclock. Has anybody else had this issue after dropping the subframe? Thanks for the help!
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04-17-2014, 11:32 AM	#2
Tiago@VRSF 2095 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	First I've ever heard of this problem. I'd get back under the car and make sure everything was re-installed correctly.
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04-17-2014, 11:36 AM	#3
pwr hungry Banned 41 Rep 1,257 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Amer'ca iTrader: (2)	Never heard of dropping the subframe for dp's. Hell, I didn't even drop the subframe to install a big ass single turbo...
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04-17-2014, 11:37 AM	#4
Tiago@VRSF 2095 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	It's common on the XI's although you don't have to completely drop it, just lower it a bit.
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04-17-2014, 12:59 PM	#6
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	I got back under the car and i cant see anything out of the ordinary. The car has 120k. i had it aligned and they didnt notice anything either. When driving if i turn right, let say for an entrance ramp to the highway, it will bind and not return by itself. I can force it to return obviously.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2014, 01:00 PM	#7
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Also i did not disconnect my tie rod ends or any other suspension components. I just removed the 6 18mm bolts and let it hang.
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04-17-2014, 01:29 PM	#10
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	The guide i followed said you didnt have to support the subframe once it was lowered.
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04-17-2014, 03:39 PM	#12
chepy24 Captain 30 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2009 alpine white 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: denver iTrader: (0)	interesting! im doing mine tuesday curious to see what happened so we do need to support the sub frame? instead of just letting it hang? that was my plan lol
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04-17-2014, 09:07 PM	#13
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	Steering shaft...replaced several for the u joints binding especially on x drive
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04-17-2014, 09:16 PM	#14
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	The entire suspension looks fine. I ran out of light before i could check the boot under the dash. I had a similar problem on my old jeep. I hose the ujoints with wd40 and the problem would go away for a while. I will pull out this part tomorrow and see how it feels.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2014, 07:06 PM	#15
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	I pulled that part out today. It is definitely the issue. I will install the new one in the morning. Thanks for the help guys!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2014, 07:10 PM	#16
peter91118 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '01 325xit, '09 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Also, it should be noted that this issue had nothing to do with the downpipe install. This thing was already at the end of its life, just being close to it with a wrench was enough to push it over the edge.
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04-19-2014, 09:33 AM	#19
Tiago@VRSF 2095 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Great to hear it was resolved, thanks for keeping us updated!
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