Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo - The Daily Driver Challenge Winner

[mjheathcote]

That sounds odd. Clock'springs' are very weak, or it would be harder to turn the wheel one way (winding it up) then the other (unwinding it).....

Replacing one (IMHO) should have zero impact to steering feel. I'd be a bit surprised if you heard it crack as well. It's not exactly under a huge amount of tension. In fact it's not really a spring...

At least that's my understanding. As ever, I reserve the right to talk utter rubbish

C

Completely agree can't see the 'clock spring' making any difference to the steering feel.
Sounds more like steering geometry change to me.
I hate the heavier steering feel in 'sport', so artificial, along with the on/off throttle pedal feel too which is also changed.
Unfortunately I can't customise these changes in mine.

 

[FIFTY]

Completely agree can't see the 'clock spring' making any difference to the steering feel.
Sounds more like steering geometry change to me.
I hate the heavier steering feel in 'sport', so artificial, along with the on/off throttle pedal feel too which is also changed.
Unfortunately I can't customise these changes in mine.

How would they have changed the geometry when they didn't even raise the car into the air?

If it is not the clock spring that BMW are electrically adjusting the weight of the steering via then what mechanism would they be achieving it through?? And if it is the clock spring then how would it not wear over the best part of a decade of use?

Sorry to be pedantic but give me some real information as opposed to "drying your teeth" @CatmanV2 @Oneball

 

[Oneball]

The clock spring is just there to tension the wiring link, nothing more.

The power steering weight is adjusted by either changing the hydraulic pressure via a valve in the case of a hydraulic system or by changing the force provide by the electric motor in the case of an electromechanical system. The F10 came with both, not sure which one is in the Alpina but they could be adjusted on my M3 via the I-drive knob. So guess they can on yours.

 

[CatmanV2]

How would they have changed the geometry when they didn't even raise the car into the air?

If it is not the clock spring that BMW are electrically adjusting the weight of the steering via then what mechanism would they be achieving it through?? And if it is the clock spring then how would it not wear over the best part of a decade of use?

Sorry to be pedantic but give me some real information as opposed to "drying your teeth" @CatmanV2 @Oneball

And in addition to @Oneball 's comments, just think about what happens when you wind a spiral spring. Tightening it requires more force than loosening. You could not use a spring to adjust steering feel unless it had two springs and a very carefully set up neutral.

One spring would always be harder to wind up than unwind, so for example turning left would be harder (and get harder as you approach lock) but then the spring would help you turn right and try and force the wheel back.

If you used two springs in balance, as you approached lock the force required to get there would increase as you turned more, then apply force to move the wheel to centre.

But, if I'm not making my point well this might help:

Clockspring - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

.

In vehicle steering systems a clock spring or clockspring is a spiral-wound special rotary electrical connector which allows a vehicle's steering wheel to turn while still making an electrical connection between the steering wheel airbag and/or the vehicle's horn and other devices and the vehicle's electrical systems. The clockspring is located between the steering wheel and the steering column.

And that's all she wrote

C

 

[CatmanV2]

Oh and if you're wondering how electrically adjusted PSA systems can change their weighting all that has to be done is modulate the voltage applied to the motor which provides assistance to increase or decrease the amount of assistance provided.

That's (one of the reasons) why they're increasingly popular as you have a massive amount of control over how much assistance the motor provides, controlled by an ECU using input from steering angle, 'mode', speed and so on.

Dry now?

C

 

[Gazcw]

Oh and if you're wondering how electrically adjusted PSA systems can change their weighting all that has to be done is modulate the voltage applied to the motor which provides assistance to increase or decrease the amount of assistance provided.

That's (one of the reasons) why they're increasingly popular as you have a massive amount of control over how much assistance the motor provides, controlled by an ECU using input from steering angle, 'mode', speed and so on.

Dry now?

C