BMW E32 steering play and front suspension bushings

Play can be in the radius arm bushings, the tie rods, the centre rod, the steering shaft universal joint and the steering box mounting bracket. The fault is often hard to see until the parts are off the car, so worn parts are usually replaced together.

Turn the wheels in the direction of the radius arm and push the tyre by hand at the tread. If the tyre wobbles or clunks, the bushings are worn out. The play can be felt as vibration when braking, especially at around 100 km/h.

Play in the steering box does not cause the shake by itself but makes it worse. The cause is usually the radius arm bushings or dragging brakes. If the ball joint is loose, the radius arm should be replaced as a whole, because the joint is part of the arm.