E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:39 am
My findings have solved my issues but there are still quite a few variables when trying to diagnose what your steering issue could be.
In my second year of ownership I started noticing a feeling like there was play in the steering above 50mph this could easily feel like a loose ball joint. Like with every issue you get with your car the first thing anyone does is search the internet. Between here, Zpost and various other sites I managed to get a picture of what to look at.
1) Rare cases the rack was damaged (very rare)
2) Pre 2006 cars suffered with sticky steering (BMW revised the grease and worm gear clearance) Mines late 2007
3) Ball joints, Couplings, EPS issues.
So like with all things you start with the cheaper options first I ended up fitting new wishbones, lollypops already powerflexed. I then changed the Tie rods along with track rods. After this I had hunter alignment done.
Although the car felt great the movement was still there. So I removed the steering coupling and found nothing. Whilst I had that coupling out I could grab the column and see if theres any play, it was solid. This now left with the rack to inspect and the column to take out. I had this inspected by a race team next to my work who gave it the all clear. So now the fun begun having to remove the column which was surprisingly easy.
Once you remove the two bits of lower dash trim you can easily see the whole column. There were so many connectors plugged into the column so make sure you remember where they all go. Once I removed the 8 bolts holding the column up I could rotate it 90* to unbolt the motor. Very much square peg round hole situation with the motor still attached. Once it was out I started going over the column getting my head round how it works and after a few minutes made a discovery . While there I also checked the bearings to see if I could find any play. Then I came across a ring between the motor and the column, I did see this mentioned on a few forums but not many took the comments seriously.
This ring controls the engagement of the worm gear on the column too loose will cause play and too tight will cause it to be heavy. see next post.
Part 1 - need a larger photo upload limit
In my second year of ownership I started noticing a feeling like there was play in the steering above 50mph this could easily feel like a loose ball joint. Like with every issue you get with your car the first thing anyone does is search the internet. Between here, Zpost and various other sites I managed to get a picture of what to look at.
1) Rare cases the rack was damaged (very rare)
2) Pre 2006 cars suffered with sticky steering (BMW revised the grease and worm gear clearance) Mines late 2007
3) Ball joints, Couplings, EPS issues.
So like with all things you start with the cheaper options first I ended up fitting new wishbones, lollypops already powerflexed. I then changed the Tie rods along with track rods. After this I had hunter alignment done.
Although the car felt great the movement was still there. So I removed the steering coupling and found nothing. Whilst I had that coupling out I could grab the column and see if theres any play, it was solid. This now left with the rack to inspect and the column to take out. I had this inspected by a race team next to my work who gave it the all clear. So now the fun begun having to remove the column which was surprisingly easy.
Once you remove the two bits of lower dash trim you can easily see the whole column. There were so many connectors plugged into the column so make sure you remember where they all go. Once I removed the 8 bolts holding the column up I could rotate it 90* to unbolt the motor. Very much square peg round hole situation with the motor still attached. Once it was out I started going over the column getting my head round how it works and after a few minutes made a discovery . While there I also checked the bearings to see if I could find any play. Then I came across a ring between the motor and the column, I did see this mentioned on a few forums but not many took the comments seriously.
This ring controls the engagement of the worm gear on the column too loose will cause play and too tight will cause it to be heavy. see next post.
Part 1 - need a larger photo upload limit