Rear ended - steering is now heavy, related?

[Lucky1]

Came to a stop at a light a few days ago, 30 seconds or more later the whole car shakes and sure enough someone ran into me. Don't know what his deal was. Roads were try, visibility was good. Probably distracted or something else. Screws from their license plate dug into my bumper, and the paint from the lettering on their plate is all over it plus scratches. I plan to have it fixed through insurance as I am not at fault.

A day or two later I noticed that the steering in the car just feels heavier. ESPECIALLY when making low speed turns like at an intersection or light from a stop. I normally drive in "Normal" steering mode with the M button engaged. I reset those settings to default, and I have toggled between Sport and Normal and it seems to no longer make a difference. its like the car is in "Sport" mode all of the time. I checked the variable boost power connector above the driver side wheel well, appears to e connected tightly.

Only other thing is my power steering fluid was recently changed 2-3 weeks ago but the steering felt great after that, perfect weighting, perfect variable turning on Normal mode. I have winter tires, 18", and have it set to 34/37 psi which is 1 psi higher than the door placard. I even tried 37/37 no change so reverted back.

Anything that could have happened with a "low speed" rear ending like what happened to me? Something like this?
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2045167

I'm definitely going to have a mechanic look at it as part of the insurance claim in case its related. Timing is suspect. Unless its all in my head (doubt it.

[spazzyfry123]

Sounds like an alignment issue. Any problems with the steering wheel returning to center on its own?

[smokinjoe64]

Similar incident, many moons ago in e39 M5.
Stopped with steering wheel right of center prepping for right turn...then heard skid - bang
...if only not on brakes, impact outcome would have been far less 'violent'.

So in addition to alignment, body work damage, also discovered some minor suspension tweaks...many wanna consider a thorough inspection as well. Although, sounds like your incident not quite as 'rough'.
In any case, GL sorting it all out.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Sounds like an alignment issue. Any problems with the steering wheel returning to center on its own?

Not really, just seems to require more effort to complete a lock on a slow speed turn or a turn from a stop. At all speeds it just feels a tad heavier; wondering if its just in my head. But historically I’ve been good at sensing these things.

[Lucky1]

Took it to a dealership, they’re adamant the steering is working as expected. I swear I had a good amount more assist at parking speed and highway speed in normal steering setting.

Going for a second opinion. It feels like there’s no difference between Normal and Sport steering when before I could tell the difference fairly easily.

If anyone has any ideas on what to look for please let me know. Two shops have said the steering fluid flush appears to have been done correctly with the correct fluid.

[nick3753]

Maybe try to find a local m3 for a comparison. Either a forum member (check the regional forum), perhaps at a car meet or look for a dealership with one for sale and go test drive it.

Other option is therapy and maybe a Xanax or 2.

Good luck!

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Took it to a dealership, they’re adamant the steering is working as expected. I swear I had a good amount more assist at parking speed and highway speed in normal steering setting.

Going for a second opinion. It feels like there’s no difference between Normal and Sport steering when before I could tell the difference fairly easily.

If anyone has any ideas on what to look for please let me know. Two shops have said the steering fluid flush appears to have been done correctly with the correct fluid.

FWIW, huge difference between Normal and Sport steering setting here. Very rarely use Sport cause simply too heavy regardless of speed.

[jdamore]

From the way you describe it, your fender bender is minor and would not cause this to your steering. Sorry this happened to you though.

Maybe your arms are injured..

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by jdamore

From the way you describe it, your fender bender is minor and would not cause this to your steering. Sorry this happened to you though.

Maybe your arms are injured..

I lift bro

[Scrippy]

Not a point of pride here but I’ve been rear ended at least 4 times in 14 years. All the result of a dipshit not paying attention each time. I see no reason this would effect steering and I have not experienced any issues in my case other than hurt feelings. The last idiot was a fucking immigrant that “didn’t speak English” nor have ID. The world is filled with tarded trashcans these days out in LA. Dash cam for the insurance company to figure this shit out and fix my car on their dime. The same poor rear bumper has made it through each time. Maybe just check fluid level and good luck with your car!

[M43ver]

I’m not sure if this thread is useful but I linked it anyway. The last few posts describe what fixed the heavy steering problem. Good luck with finding a fix.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1417115

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

FWIW, huge difference between Normal and Sport steering setting here. Very rarely use Sport cause simply too heavy regardless of speed.

I agree. Since I drive my car on non-performance winter tires this time of year sometimes I drive it in Sport because its otherwise too light in Normal mode.

Several people have driven the car now and swear its changing when toggling between Normal and Sport but I’m flabbergasted. It absolutely isn’t. I don’t want my BMW back until it drives like a Camry again. I know how that sounds…

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I agree. Since I drive my car on non-performance winter tires this time of year sometimes I drive it in Sport because its otherwise too light in Normal mode.

Several people have driven the car now and swear its changing when toggling between Normal and Sport but I’m flabbergasted. It absolutely isn’t. I don’t want my BMW back until it drives like a Camry again. I know how that sounds…

How old are your shocks? I just replaced my EDC shocks as well as reset the shocks in the EDC controller via ISTA and I absolutely perceive the changes. When you’ve driven over the 405 southbound launch ramp where the 118 overpasses for 30 years and 13-14 of them in my M3……yeah I know the drifference in the compression and rebound cycle between settings. Is it a vast improvement, no but it is perceivable. As the shocks were getting clapped out, I could only drive in sport or bounce 2-3 times in a cycle like a Cadillac.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

How old are your shocks? I just replaced my EDC shocks as well as reset the shocks in the EDC controller via ISTA and I absolutely perceive the changes. When you’ve driven over the 405 southbound launch ramp where the 118 overpasses for 30 years and 13-14 of them in my M3……yeah I know the drifference in the compression and rebound cycle between settings. Is it a vast improvement, no but it is perceivable. As the shocks were getting clapped out, I could only drive in sport or bounce 2-3 times in a cycle like a Cadillac.

I don’t have EDC and I’m sure they’re the same shocks from 2008. I’d love to try aN EDC equipped car. My 911 has PASM but I can’t discern any difference between comfort and sport.

That said my issue is with heavy, unassisted steering.

[Lucky1]

Does anyone have any detailed technical manual or guide on the M3 rack including servotronic and what components make up the system, regardless of whether they havs part #’s? Like a wiring guide and a mechanical guide.

[amrazM]

check to make sure the servotronic plug didnt fall out.

[Lucky1]

I ordered a servotronic solenoid valve from FCP Euro and swapped it in but it did not fix the steering being too heavy/stuck in Sport mode.

Part I ordered and swapped in:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...zf-32106788212

This is the old part. Are the same? If not how do I order this part?

[Lucky1]

I’m going to replace the power steering pump and flush the system. There is some metal in the fluid. Hope that fixes it.