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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- Leesfarm07
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2107
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm
- Location: Telford, Shropshire
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Maxman that's a fab offer which I would love to take up thank you...let me know when would suit you best and I'll blow the cobwebs off the old girl
Current
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
I removed the steering cowl and had a look around. Looks like there's no equivalent adjustment ring for the E89 (at least as far as I can tell).enzed4 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:25 am Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9537
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
It's bad when you think BMW has known about the E85 steering issues and allows the same thing to happen on the E89. I wonder if we will be hearing about the problem on the new Z4 in a few yearsenzed4 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:08 amI removed the steering cowl and had a look around. Looks like there's no equivalent adjustment ring for the E89 (at least as far as I can tell).enzed4 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:25 am Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- MACK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3600
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:38 am
- Location: Manchester
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
This does definitely sound like there is "play" in something (something is worn excessively) rather than the sticky or light steering E85/6 folks experience. Honestly I think you'll achieve nothing under the cowling. IIRC the motor/control unit on E89's is in the same place its in on later EPS equipped BMW's, mounted on the actual rack itself in the engine bay.enzed4 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:25 am Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
I'd be looking again under the bonnet/engine bay area rather than in the car. Get them to check the rack itself with both the car running and switched off. Also id check the rack to column joint etc. A knocking shocker is a possibility but I wouldn't have expected the vibration on cornering if it was that. Check the front top mounts etc. In fact I guess check everything again maybe at a different garage. This sounds like a classic case of the hard part in fixing something on a car is knowing what it is in the first place. Good luck with it!
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
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Last edited by PeteWard on Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9537
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Glad you got it sorted, yes it makes such a difference to the steering.
Well done for offering help to others
Well done for offering help to others
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Thanks. The steering now feels much better. It's never going to be super smooth, but that goes with the territory.
Not a problem. It's not very often that I'm useful to anyone, so I do what I can...
- ULTRAVOX
- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:45 pm
- Location: Coventry (mostly)
- Contact:
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?
Black Z4 3.0Si Coupé E86 Auto with 19" 3SDM 0.01 silver polished wheels.
https://flic.kr/p/RPTxT1
2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/RPTxT1
2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Thanks for the tips. It does look like it's been traced to the front shocks (the shafts and seals are worn/damaged) but I won't know 100% until they're rebuilt and back on the car.MACK wrote: ↑Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:03 pmThis does definitely sound like there is "play" in something (something is worn excessively) rather than the sticky or light steering E85/6 folks experience. Honestly I think you'll achieve nothing under the cowling. IIRC the motor/control unit on E89's is in the same place its in on later EPS equipped BMW's, mounted on the actual rack itself in the engine bay.enzed4 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:25 am Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment
I'd be looking again under the bonnet/engine bay area rather than in the car. Get them to check the rack itself with both the car running and switched off. Also id check the rack to column joint etc. A knocking shocker is a possibility but I wouldn't have expected the vibration on cornering if it was that. Check the front top mounts etc. In fact I guess check everything again maybe at a different garage. This sounds like a classic case of the hard part in fixing something on a car is knowing what it is in the first place. Good luck with it!
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
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- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:18 am
- Location: Wirral
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Absolutely fantastic post that's undoubtedly saved £££.
Recommend a good quality e11spanner. And be prepared to be upside down with your head in the footwell
Good luck
Recommend a good quality e11spanner. And be prepared to be upside down with your head in the footwell
Good luck
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:11 pm
- Location: Rotherham
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
ULTRAVOX wrote: ↑Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:25 pm So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?
Where are you based? Anyone near Sheffield who would like this doing I’m happy to.
- ULTRAVOX
- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:45 pm
- Location: Coventry (mostly)
- Contact:
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
I'm in Evesham (or Cov) most of the time but don't mind the drive. This issue is starting to really annoy me. (Along with all the idiots that keep ringing about the sale of my 3 series!).
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?
Black Z4 3.0Si Coupé E86 Auto with 19" 3SDM 0.01 silver polished wheels.
https://flic.kr/p/RPTxT1
2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/RPTxT1
2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:11 pm
- Location: Rotherham
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
Shame you're not closer! yours about 3 hours from me.ULTRAVOX wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:18 am I'm in Evesham (or Cov) most of the time but don't mind the drive. This issue is starting to really annoy me. (Along with all the idiots that keep ringing about the sale of my 3 series!).
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?
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- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:18 am
- Location: Wirral
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
This is pretty straight forward fix. Trust me, if I managed it anyone can.