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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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dunks
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:52 pm

Joycey wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:00 pm I'm pretty sure its an E11 dunks.
JimBob78 wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:18 pm I think the spanner is easier, couldn't get a socket on the bolt head.

Happy to report this has fixed my steering twitchiness and the rattle sensation over rough patches, so much nicer to drive, completely planted and feels solid like a new car, well chuffed!
Cheers guys :)

From looking at the images on the first post, are these the bolts I need to loosen? Circled in red.

Image

Then is it a case of using a screw driver or something similarly slender to apply some torque to rotate the ring?

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mjennings23 » Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:10 pm

dunks wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Joycey wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:00 pm I'm pretty sure its an E11 dunks.
JimBob78 wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:18 pm I think the spanner is easier, couldn't get a socket on the bolt head.

Happy to report this has fixed my steering twitchiness and the rattle sensation over rough patches, so much nicer to drive, completely planted and feels solid like a new car, well chuffed!
Cheers guys :)

From looking at the images on the first post, are these the bolts I need to loosen? Circled in red.

Image

Then is it a case of using a screw driver or something similarly slender to apply some torque to rotate the ring?
That's the one, and yeah just need to poke something in to get a bit of leverage. Perhaps worth scoring the ring and housing first so you can see how far you've moved it, seems that a few mm is usually enough.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by JimBob78 » Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:29 pm

Mine actually turned very easily by hand if that helps

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:54 am

Cheers guys. What panel do I have to remove in the footwell? I'm guessing it's fairly obvious! What type of fasteners does it have?

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by MACK » Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:33 am

dunks wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:54 amCheers guys. What panel do I have to remove in the footwell? I'm guessing it's fairly obvious! What type of fasteners does it have?
It's pretty obvious the panel that comes off, it's the big one from the steering column cowling down to the pedals and its held on with a few Phillips screws. Easy job to remove.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:42 am

Thanks :)

Ordered this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282 ... 1516099270 and this https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Adhesive-lubr ... en/GB/GBP/ .

Hopefully the last of any sticky steering!

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mjennings23 » Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:22 pm

dunks wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:42 amThanks :)

Ordered this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282 ... 1516099270 and this https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Adhesive-lubr ... en/GB/GBP/ .

Hopefully the last of any sticky steering!
That spanner isn't the right one for the bolts, just so you're aware. You'll need an E-Torx bit for them, not sure what size though as I have a big set of them.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:12 pm

Yeah, I think it's an E11 torx head. Someone (might have been a couple of people!) said that they had good success with an 8 mm swivel head ratchet, I guess it must fit over the E11 fine.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:15 pm

You'll also need to adjust to column to its lowest position so you can get to the front bolt. All will become clear when you stick your head under.
Image

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:24 pm

Ordered an extra long E11 spanner just in case, although if I don't need it I'm not sure what other uses I'll have for it :D

Yeah, I figured that'd be the case Joycey, tried to find photos showing me in detail what to do but I guess it's tricky to show properly so will just have to put my head under and see :)

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Tue Jan 16, 2018 2:03 pm

I got one of those spanners but found it very tricky to use. In the end I settled with the ratchet short extension and the knuckle with an E11 socket.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:19 pm

Joycey wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2018 2:03 pm I got one of those spanners but found it very tricky to use. In the end I settled with the ratchet short extension and the knuckle with an E11 socket.
Oh well, maybe I'll find another use for an extra long E11 spanner some day!

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by dunks » Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:45 am

Image

Last question guys before attempting this tomorrow, honest!

Looking at the ring from the direction above, is it CW or ACW to increase the clearance of the teeth?

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by MACK » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:16 pm

dunks wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:45 amImage

Last question guys before attempting this tomorrow, honest!

Looking at the ring from the direction above, is it CW or ACW to increase the clearance of the teeth?
I think Joycey said earlier in the thread that to the left (ACW) as you look at it in the pic is to tighten.
Great pics/thread this, really makes it clear what/where to adjust. Doesn't bear thinking about what some folks must have spent trying to solve this, only for a simple quick adjustment to be the answer.

Hope I never have to do this, but its bookmarked just incase! :thumbsup:
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Rob_benton » Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:32 pm

I have just completed this in10 minutes. Using a 8mm spanner and a extra spanner on the end of the 8mm for leverage.
I pulled the ring towards me approx 12mm by hand when the ring bolts are loosened.
Worked perfectly.
No more wandering at 70mph and doesn’t feel jittery around town.
It took longer to put the bloody trim screws back in !
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