I got into an accident earlier this winter in my 81 245 GLT and i pushed my passenger side wheel up into the wheel well. i replaced the PS rack and the control arm and got it re aligned but the 245 GlT still steers funny. does anyone know what i can do to fix my steering woos. Thanks
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1981 245 GLT (NON-Turbo) 2.1L B21f 95,000 Original Miles, Borg Warner 3 Speed,(soon to be M46) Stock Virgos with 195/60/15's

I think I'd try replacing the complete strut on that side. You can do it without opening the brake lines if you're careful. The caliper can be unmounted and the lines untwisted from the bottom of the strut tube. The lines go through a bracket on the tube- I have cut those and bent a little to slip the lines out, and then bent it back in place with the new lines on there. This all avoids the need to bleed the brakes afterwards- always a chore on a 240, and possibly disastrous on old ones.
The strut tube could have been bent in the accident, with unpredictable results for the alignment of the front end. What does the alignment shop say they measure for caster, camber, and toe? They ought to give you a print out of what they found, what the spec is, and what it measures afterwards.
Good luck!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

Define what you mean by "steers funny."

Wanders? Pulls to one side? Feels loose? No self-centering? Changes feeling with speed? Vibrates? Any peculiar tire wear?

On my '88 245, the Panhard rod bushings were deteriorated to the point where they were almost non-existent. In a turn, the rear axle was so poorly located (due to sloppiness in the lateral location) that the rear end would steer the car... found out by dumb luck.

Sorry about the vagness of my post The car is very loose, It pulls slightly left and it becomes looser with speed. The PS has been replaced and the control arm that was damaged was replaced. I am putting in all new front end bushing minus tierods and ball joints.I hope that this clears up the problem. The car was alined but the steering is loose. What opinions do you guys have for me, Thanks for any and all input

Mark
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1981 245 GLT (NON-Turbo) 2.1L B21f 95,000 Original Miles, Borg Warner 3 Speed,(soon to be M46) Stock Virgos with 195/60/15's

It sounds like the toe-in may be off a bit, but more probably the caster angle. This is really not adjustable on a 240, although in the early 80's they moved to an asymmetric (side-to-side) ball joint to increase the caster angle, which improves 'self-centering' at road speeds. The newer BJ's are distinguished by the 'arm' to which the tire rod attaches being curved toward the front of the car, instead of being straight. This change also necessitated a change in the strut tube. Look in a Haynes manual to see the differences. In any case, to change from old to new style BJ's requires a change in the strut tube assembly - hardly worth the effort, in my book.

There's a good chance your A-arm took a beating in you off-road experience. Is this what you replaced? You could get a new one or under $100 from fcpgroton, or in a junkyard for probably $15. If you go that route, then you should also install fresh rear A-arm bushings on both sides. These need replacing at least every 100K miles (my second set is ready after 50K!), and are a major contributor to front end/steering ills. Also, balljoints are not expensive and are relatively easy to change. I suggest you do them as well when you get under the car next.

Lastly, go to a QUALITY steering/alignment shop for an alignment after changing front end parts... stay away from tire stores and nationwide chains (Sears, Midas, etc.).

Yes I replaced the Control arm that was crushed and I PS rack which i also blew out. The Control arm was from one of my parts cars and I has bad bushings. I am hoping that new bushing will help cure the bad disease i have inflicted on myself. hahah The alignment was done by my instructor at my BMW training facility. He said the caster was slightly off and it is non ajustable as you said. Is there a way to ajust it at all by replacing parts? Thanks again.

Mark
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1981 245 GLT (NON-Turbo) 2.1L B21f 95,000 Original Miles, Borg Warner 3 Speed,(soon to be M46) Stock Virgos with 195/60/15's

No adjustment with standard parts. To increase the caster angle you would have to move the ball joint forward, or the upper strut attachment rearward. With the standard 3 slots in the fenders there isn't a great deal of adjustment possible, although I have heard of folks enlarging the slots to get more adjustment. However, if the caster is only off "slightly", then I doubt that's the problem. Have you tried swapping tires side-to-side?

BTW - what do they train BMW's to do at your facility?