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Light Steering

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Linders
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Light Steering

Post by Linders » Mon Dec 24, 2018 3:38 pm

Hi,

I'm a new member. I bought a 3 litre Z4, 2004 plate, 2 months ago. The issue I have is very light wayward steering especially at speed. Has anybody else had this problem and if so what things can I try to put it right, cheers Chris

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Light Steering

Post by firebobby » Mon Dec 24, 2018 3:48 pm

Linders wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 3:38 pm Hi,

I'm a new member. I bought a 3 litre Z4, 2004 plate, 2 months ago. The issue I have is very light wayward steering especially at speed. Has anybody else had this problem and if so what things can I try to put it right, cheers Chris
Welcome to the forum, there are loads of owners who have suffered with steering and there are plenty of threads on here about it. Get some photos of your car on :)
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ErrErrminator
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Light Steering

Post by ErrErrminator » Mon Dec 24, 2018 4:10 pm

Mine is the same. The opposite of the often talked about ‘sticky’ steering, which I believe requires a few degrees of rotation on the steering motor bracket to resolve. There are detailed threads on this issue and owners on here with first hand experience of solving it.

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Light Steering

Post by srhutch » Mon Dec 24, 2018 4:15 pm

On the very rare chance it still has runflats, they could be the issue also.
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noiseboy72
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Light Steering

Post by noiseboy72 » Mon Dec 24, 2018 4:26 pm

Sounds like possibly the tyre pressures are too high. Check them and if they are over the stated pressures, drop them down.

I find that 28psi all round works quite well for me on Eagle 2s. It sorted the ride out and makes things more comfortable and reduces the wandering somewhat.
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Light Steering

Post by philbo909 » Mon Dec 24, 2018 7:31 pm

Linders wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 3:38 pm Hi,

I'm a new member. I bought a 3 litre Z4, 2004 plate, 2 months ago. The issue I have is very light wayward steering especially at speed. Has anybody else had this problem and if so what things can I try to put it right, cheers Chris
Tyre pressures as above, or run flat tyres, if not that then maybe it's just the nature of the epas
Sapphire black z4 coupe 135,000miles young

Linders
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Light Steering

Post by Linders » Tue Dec 25, 2018 12:01 am

Thanks will try lower tyre pressures

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Light Steering

Post by Linders » Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:07 pm

Where do I upload photos of my car, thanks

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MACK
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Light Steering

Post by MACK » Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:41 pm

Obviously try all of the above, additionally if your finding it too light at speed try engaging the sport button which decreases the electric assistance so may help.
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Smartbear
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Light Steering

Post by Smartbear » Thu Dec 27, 2018 12:37 am

Linders wrote: Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:07 pm Where do I upload photos of my car, thanks
Hi, you use the “add files” button below the reply box 👍
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Light Steering

Post by road warrior » Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:03 am

noiseboy72 wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 4:26 pm Sounds like possibly the tyre pressures are too high. Check them and if they are over the stated pressures, drop them down.

I find that 28psi all round works quite well for me on Eagle 2s. It sorted the ride out and makes things more comfortable and reduces the wandering somewhat.
28 ? Wow.. All I see on here is folk running around 32 - 36
Need to sort this out properly once and for all. BMW giving out numbers cuz it don't want to supply a spare is really too bad. This silly electric steering is a pain in the arse. Did I read somewhere about someone putting proper hydraulic steering on?
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Light Steering

Post by noiseboy72 » Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:15 am

I think it depends on the tyre type, manufacturer and loading. I'm normally driving around with the car pretty much empty except for my lard arse, so no need for super high pressures.

I've found the car much more sensitive to tyre pressures than past saloons and 4x4s, with the ride suffering more than anything. Mine's on M-sport suspension and fairly new shocks, so soaking up some of the bumps is a good thing imho. If you are on SE suspension then it may not be so much of an issue.

I never really find the suspension to be too light unless it's a high speed motorway run and then a stab on the Sport button stiffens it up nicely. I've had a few cars with electric power steering and the feel is definitely not as good as hydraulic, but I can still drive it with a high degree of precision and you soon learn to wrench it out of the tramlines with a deft flick!!
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mr wilks
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Light Steering

Post by mr wilks » Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:10 pm

Buying into a car that already shows this vague / light / edgy feel at speeds is always going to be a task to get on top of .
So many factors to work through , i can recall one member trying everything then still bailing out as it was never cured :cry:
A coupe i had many years back was awful , literally felt like the front end was skating on ice over 60mph , a pair of front control arms along with a pair of tyres & it was sorted :cry: you can check for play by jacking the car slightly though leave tyres grounded , then grip at 3 & 9 & shake the front wheel
Otherwise Id start with a decent pair of non runflat tyres around 30/32psi
Then have the alignment checked / this itself can often be the cause as these cars being over 10 years old , multiple owners will have had components changed & very possibly various alignments done by some who do or do not know what they are doing :(
Don't give up , once sorted they do drive well at all speeds & ive never found the electric power steering to spoil the cars handling or my enjoyment :thumbsup:
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mr wilks
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Light Steering

Post by mr wilks » Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:10 pm

Buying into a car that already shows this vague / light / edgy feel at speeds is always going to be a task to get on top of .
So many factors to work through , i can recall one member trying everything then still bailing out as it was never cured :cry:
A coupe i had many years back was awful , literally felt like the front end was skating on ice over 60mph , a pair of front control arms along with a pair of tyres & it was sorted :cry: you can check for play by jacking the car slightly though leave tyres grounded , then grip at 3 & 9 & shake the front wheel
Otherwise Id start with a decent pair of non runflat tyres around 30/32psi
Then have the alignment checked / this itself can often be the cause as these cars being over 10 years old , multiple owners will have had components changed & very possibly various alignments done by some who do or do not know what they are doing :(
Don't give up , once sorted they do drive well at all speeds & ive never found the electric power steering to spoil the cars handling or my enjoyment :thumbsup:
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

Linders
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Light Steering

Post by Linders » Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:36 pm

Lower tyre pressures are helping alot.
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