Steering wheel off-need input!

Silv3 · 02-17-2006, 04:37 PM

My steering wheel is off to left. It is very minor, but it bugs me. The dealer did an alignment. They said it was slightly off and now it is within specs. The steering wheel is still off to the left.
The car rides good, and i know all about the crowns in the road and so on. Went for test drive with the SA, he first said it was slighlty off, but not enough to make changes. Then he said, overall the car is within specs and all is fine. Anyone have this issue? Any input?

Thanks.

tctic · 02-17-2006, 09:36 PM

I notice this with mine too. I have to adjust it to the left a bit sometimes. Some of the causes of this might be the curvature of the road and the bumps along. Also check tire pressure. I first thought the run flats won't make a big impact to this since it has stiff sidewalls but I was wrong. I corrected the tire pressure and the problem was much improved.

Carl · 02-17-2006, 09:43 PM

My SA told me he has over ten cars that need to be adjusted. He said they have been coming misaligned from the factory. Said it just started happening in the last 30 days

lumbergh · 02-26-2006, 10:19 AM

Mine was off center to the left from the factory, it was pretty noticable. They pulled it off and reset it.

I am glad because that is my biggest pet peave with a car.

romain · 03-18-2006, 08:14 PM

Mine is off too

cobradac · 03-22-2006, 02:10 PM

Here is new Service Bulletin on Alignment

SI B32 05 06
Steering and Wheel Alignment March 2006
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Steering Wheel Offset

MODEL
E90 (3 Series) and E91 (3 Series Sports Wagon) equipped with xDrive and produced up to 2/06.

SITUATION
Customer may complain of a slight steering wheel offset (about 5 degrees) when driving straight ahead.

CAUSE
The steering gear was not properly positioned to the front axle carrier.

CORRECTION
In case of a customer complaint, perform a wheel alignment to center the steering wheel.

The steering gear brackets have been improved in 2/06 to have a better position in relation to the front axle carrier.

PROCEDURE

Torque the bolts connecting the steering gear to the front axle carrier to 56 Nm.

Perform a wheel alignment and center the steering wheel per Repair Instructions RA 32 00 150 (with load) or RA 32 00 155 (without load).

Perform steering angle sensor adjustment/calibration per Repair Instructions RA 61 31 996.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
For information only

02-17-2006, 04:37 PM	#1
Silv3 Private 12 Rep 57 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Us iTrader: (0)	Steering wheel off-need input! My steering wheel is off to left. It is very minor, but it bugs me. The dealer did an alignment. They said it was slightly off and now it is within specs. The steering wheel is still off to the left. The car rides good, and i know all about the crowns in the road and so on. Went for test drive with the SA, he first said it was slighlty off, but not enough to make changes. Then he said, overall the car is within specs and all is fine. Anyone have this issue? Any input? Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-17-2006, 09:36 PM	#2
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I notice this with mine too. I have to adjust it to the left a bit sometimes. Some of the causes of this might be the curvature of the road and the bumps along. Also check tire pressure. I first thought the run flats won't make a big impact to this since it has stiff sidewalls but I was wrong. I corrected the tire pressure and the problem was much improved.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2006, 09:43 PM	#3
Carl Private 1 Rep 52 Posts Drives: e91 red loaded Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	My SA told me he has over ten cars that need to be adjusted. He said they have been coming misaligned from the factory. Said it just started happening in the last 30 days
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2006, 10:19 AM	#4
lumbergh Private 2 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Mine was off center to the left from the factory, it was pretty noticable. They pulled it off and reset it. I am glad because that is my biggest pet peave with a car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2006, 08:14 PM	#5
romain Good MAN.... 21 Rep 483 Posts Drives: AW-325i e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: canada iTrader: (2)	Mine is off too
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2006, 02:10 PM	#6
cobradac First Lieutenant 20 Rep 374 Posts Drives: '05 645Ci Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Titusville, FLA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 645Ci [0.00]	SIB on Steering Wheel Offset (Alignment) Here is new Service Bulletin on Alignment SI B32 05 06 Steering and Wheel Alignment March 2006 Technical Service SUBJECT Steering Wheel Offset MODEL E90 (3 Series) and E91 (3 Series Sports Wagon) equipped with xDrive and produced up to 2/06. SITUATION Customer may complain of a slight steering wheel offset (about 5 degrees) when driving straight ahead. CAUSE The steering gear was not properly positioned to the front axle carrier. CORRECTION In case of a customer complaint, perform a wheel alignment to center the steering wheel. The steering gear brackets have been improved in 2/06 to have a better position in relation to the front axle carrier. PROCEDURE Torque the bolts connecting the steering gear to the front axle carrier to 56 Nm. Perform a wheel alignment and center the steering wheel per Repair Instructions RA 32 00 150 (with load) or RA 32 00 155 (without load). Perform steering angle sensor adjustment/calibration per Repair Instructions RA 61 31 996. WARRANTY INFORMATION For information only
	Appreciate 0 Quote