My car is hard to steer in tight turns - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

KWP · 27th March 2007, 21:36

I've had this happen to me in the mountains a couple times and I had it happen again just yesterday.

As I was approaching a turn at a "decent" speed, when I go to turn the wheel, it feels almost as if the column is locked!

I have to brake really hard for it to loosen up. I don't think it's as simple as the car understeering b/c the steering becomes REALLY heavy. I have stock wheels on my car.

Is this a function of the active steering that gets turned off with Sport on or is there something wrong with my car?

Gustav · 28th March 2007, 01:35

I have that as well in verry tight turns when driving fast. Could it be too little servo fluid?

Beamer_usa · 28th March 2007, 02:58

I would think low fluid first, if not then I gues the power steering pump is going south.

AOM5 · 28th March 2007, 04:10

i had this problem on my 01 540i a few years ago... same deal, mountain curves, the steering felt like it was locking then would need excessive force or backing off a bit on the steering wheel, then going more at it (and doing that several times) to complete the curve.

In any case, my dealership found out that some steering valve was faulty and they replaced it. Went on another mountain drive after that and it was back to normal. This was very unsafe... at times I couldn't steer into a curve and thought I'd end up flying off the mountain!

KWP · 28th March 2007, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOM5

i had this problem on my 01 540i a few years ago... same deal, mountain curves, the steering felt like it was locking then would need excessive force or backing off a bit on the steering wheel, then going more at it (and doing that several times) to complete the curve.

In any case, my dealership found out that some steering valve was faulty and they replaced it. Went on another mountain drive after that and it was back to normal. This was very unsafe... at times I couldn't steer into a curve and thought I'd end up flying off the mountain!

That's exactly how it feels!

I'm going to check the fluid and if it's OK, I'm going to have to make an appt at the dealer.

*edit* There doesn't seem to be a power steering pump. What am I missing?

samm5 · 28th March 2007, 06:14

I am having the exact same problem. My dealer found no issues and could not reproduce it. Do you know exactly what was replaced?

///Mr. Five · 28th March 2007, 23:12

Mine does the same thing. Low speeds on mountain roads and aggressively drving in slow speed parking lots. I really have to wrench on the wheel to get it to turn. High speeds are never a problem though.

Gustav · 29th March 2007, 00:42

Lets ask the dealer with the "steering valve" going faulty?

DavidS · 29th March 2007, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

I have that as well in verry tight turns when driving fast. Could it be too little servo fluid?

It could be. It could also be a leak from the power steering hoses. Or the valves in the power steering mechanism.

Anyway, it is a very serious fault and should be dealt with immediately.

You never know when you will need to steer rapidly to avoid hitting someone.

David

samm5 · 29th March 2007, 01:56

After going through this thread, I took my car back in. Irvine BMW again cannot reproduce the issue and is trying to send the car back without finding the problem. This issue has almost killed me and I told them they need to find and fix the problem. They said the shop foreman will drive the car home tonight to find the problem. I am now out of my factory warranty so I told them they need to cover it because I brought it in prior to my warranty expiration. I also have an after market extended warranty that requires a 200 deductible. I am more than willing to pay this if I have to. I hope they find it.