Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:03 pm

They didn't actually adjust it when I went, checked it all out in the hunter system, generated the report and showed me everything was within specification. If I remember rightly the rears had slightly different camber but it was miniscule, nothing that would even effect tyre wear never mind steering twitchyness!

Is resetting the self-centred system something which is usually done during an alignment? I need to get it rechecked now I've had the wishbones changed, but thought I'd wait until id had a few more parts swapped to try alleviate the issue before paying for the alignment.

carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:05 pm

adam1985 wrote:Yea im hoping track rods will make a difference as not many seem to say that they have replaced them when having these type of problems. I doubt its the tyres as its exactly the same with my winter tyres and summer tyres which are different sizes. Plus you would think that everyone would have the same issue with the wide tyres
I think it's more the profile than the width sorry. Apparently people with 16" don't seem to get the issue as much as the 18"

carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Fri Nov 11, 2016 7:10 pm

Took it to an indie today and he had a good look at the front suspension, wheel beearings, steering etc.

The only thing he could identify after a road test was slight play in the steering rack, which felt notchy towards full right lock. It's not too expensive to replace but want to be fairly confident this will fix it! Will keep this thread updated.

User avatar
DashBedrock
Member
Member
Posts: 103
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:20 pm
Location: Leeds

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by DashBedrock » Tue Nov 15, 2016 8:16 pm

I had exactly the same problem with my Coupe after removing the run flats. After much advice on here it was cured by a 4 wheel alignment.
And without a doubt it was scary until it was sorted.
It's now 100 times better.

carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Wed Nov 16, 2016 1:22 pm

I put my winter tyres & wheels at the weekend (Pirelli snow sport at the front and Blizzaks at the back) on BMW alloys, can't remember the code of the rims.

This has stopped 95% of the problem. Can still *just* feel it through the steering, but never pulls the car off-line anymore.

The summer tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1s) where on set of 108 split rims in bad need of a reburb. So in summer I'm going to put the F1s onto my winter alloys and see if that has any effect.

It's definitely not the alignment as this has been checked. Good to hear it solved it on your car :thumbsup: very difficult to diagnose when different issues create the same problem!

User avatar
k31ron
Member
Member
Posts: 193
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:19 pm
Location: Ashbourne

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by k31ron » Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:13 am

I had this problem too, changed all bushes, drop links, lollipops etc to meyle HD, multiple alignment checks, finally got rid of it by changing front tyres (despite them looking fine) think the combination of overly sensitive EPS and even slightly mishappen tyres causes quite dramatic handling issues on these cars.

User avatar
adam1985
Member
Member
Posts: 573
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by adam1985 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:30 pm

So decided to update this thread as I had my new front wishbones, droplinks and track rod assemblies fitted a couple of weeks ago and also a 4 wheel alignment.
I am glad to say that so far I am not getting the wheel wobble/twitch at higher speeds. I haven't been for any long motorway drives, which is where it was most noticable, but have been up to 75 on roads where i could feel it before.
Fingers crossed this has fixed my issue and if it was the track rod assemblies the MOT tester in 2012 (2 years before i got the car) was right and there was play in the inner ball joint. Although not sure why no subsequent tests or services picked this up.

cant wait for the warmer weather now for some more spirited driving :driving:
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone

sticky

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by sticky » Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:07 pm

Did have similar at 75-80, left wishbone changed now no problem. Did feel like wheels needed balancing

zedfourthreelitre
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:14 pm

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by zedfourthreelitre » Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:04 pm

tried all sorts to solve this

new tyres
new track rods
changed for powerflex lolipops/back to Meyle HD
RTAB's
4 wheel alignment (after each of the above chages)

Im almost certain its the electronic power steering - shite design, only way to erradicate it would be to go for an e46 rack or Z4m one if it'll fit... so I've just got used to it :thumbsdown:

raymond.harper
Member
Member
Posts: 940
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2016 12:30 am

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by raymond.harper » Tue Dec 06, 2016 5:39 pm

zedfourthreelitre wrote:tried all sorts to solve this

new tyres
new track rods
changed for powerflex lolipops/back to Meyle HD
RTAB's
4 wheel alignment (after each of the above chages)

Im almost certain its the electronic power steering - shite design, only way to erradicate it would be to go for an e46 rack or Z4m one if it'll fit... so I've just got used to it :thumbsdown:
Working on the conversion !

carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Sat Dec 10, 2016 2:26 pm

Update from my Zed too...

In order; powerflex bushes fitted, none-RF tyres (eagle asymmetric) fitted, tracking checked (slightly out, nothing to cause this problem), lower control arms changed, steering still 'pulls'. Removed fuse for power steering, still pulls, so unrelated to the electronic power steering.

Now on a new set of wheels with winter tyres, still pulls (same size rims).

Tracking fully aligned by Revolution in Gateshead (would definitely recommend them!). Only difference from stock geometry is could 1.5 camber was the max on the rear (should be 2.5), image attached. :thumbsup:

Myself and multiple mechanics are at a loss! No play in the tie rod ends. Shocks seem in very good condition.

Only thing one mechanic spotted is a very slight notchy feeling present when the car is off the ground, full RH lock, manually turn the right/left wheel a few degrees and you can feel a notchyness in the steering. Doesn't happen with the wheels straight or LH lock. May be wear in the rack and pinion but only at RH lock, not a reason for the steering to feel twitchy on motorways!

So..... Any suggestions welcome :headbang:
Attachments
20161210_132027.jpg
20161210_132027.jpg (57.89 KiB) Viewed 1886 times

zedfourthreelitre
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:14 pm

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by zedfourthreelitre » Sat Dec 10, 2016 8:55 pm

Even if you remove the fuse from the power steering it'll still have the electronic rack, I presume installing a hydraulic rack will solve your problem

It defo feels related to the EPS rack to me.

carl2990

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by carl2990 » Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:13 pm

I thought removing the fuse would remove any electronic assistance, it's back to just a none power assisted rack and pinion system.

User avatar
mr wilks
Legend
Legend
Posts: 21893
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm
Location: Lancashire

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by mr wilks » Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:22 pm

carl2990 wrote:I thought removing the fuse would remove any electronic assistance, it's back to just a none power assisted rack and pinion system.
You mentioned previously you are running the PSI indicated on the car door plate ? Is that still the case ?
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

User avatar
Ewazix
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4721
Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
Location: Somerset

Scary/Twitchy feel over 65mph!

Post by Ewazix » Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:24 pm

zedfourthreelitre wrote:Even if you remove the fuse from the power steering it'll still have the electronic rack, I presume installing a hydraulic rack will solve your problem

It defo feels related to the EPS rack to me.
No it's a a traditional mechanical rack but with electric assistance, pulling the fuse on the EPS leaves you with an unassisted rack and very heavy steering. This doc explains all - Page 6 re the EPS :thumbsup:

http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/06_E85_Chas ... cs.001.pdf
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost

Post Reply