Hello Everyone,

After installing the upgrades noted below, I have two issues:
- New Issue: The steering (and wheel) is not returning to the center position after I make greater than a 90-degree turn. By this I mean that after I make a 90-degree turn, the car will aggressively pull to one side or the other based on the turn taken. If I hold the steering wheel straight there is no issue, but if I let it go it will obviously pull the car. The alignment is perfect and if you don't take sharper turns there is no issue. This issue was not present before the suspension swap noted below.

- Preexisting Issue: While stopped and making turns, the front suspension makes some very noticeable and loud whining noises. This is not the power steering. It is almost like a crack/creek that sounds like it is related to the strut mount. On a lift, I didn't notice any biding of any kind, but perhaps I need to do it on the ground. The only part of the suspension not changed was the sway bar end links. Has anyone experienced a similar sound coming from bad sway bar end links?

The steering in general feels VERY TIGHT, like I over tightened the sway bar end links after replacing the struts.

Upgrades: I just replaced my stock suspension with KONI Reds (FSD). I used the original springs, but replaced the bumpers, mounts , and hardware with new. Additionally, I had to replace the inner and outer tierod ends after failing to break them loose to do the alignment.

Any thoughts or comments are much appreciated.

Bryan

 

The noise sounds like the mounts. Are they OE?

the pulling could be ball joints or control arm bushings.

if u own a gen1 mini it needs a total suspension refresh (unless it’s already had one)

 

Your steering not returning to center is likely a "toe" (or toe-in) setting requiring a wheel alignment. (Changes in toe can be expected to happen when you replaced the inner & outer tie-rod ends.)

When you replaced the struts, did you replace or at least grease the upper strut bearings? That can address crack/creak problems when turning the steering when stopped.

 

The strut mounts were replaced in the front with new KYB mounts. The front ball joints were also replaced with new MOOGs. I have not done any control arm bushings, but can't see how that would pull the car

Interesting thought, but the alignment is dead one so it can't be the cause of a misalignment issue.

 

Is it possible for you to print your alignment report from your most recent alignment? A steering wheel not returning to center sounds like an issue with caster. R53 doesn't have caster adjustment built in but having replaced the front struts, mounts, bushings, perhaps there was a mistake made during assembly or installation that affects caster.

Another possibility is something binding in the steering rack itself. I've seen tight steering due to lack of lubrication caused by torn steering boots. I was able to add some grease to the steering gear and remedy that problem while I replaced the boots.