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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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enzed4
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by enzed4 » 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
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Leesfarm07 » Sun Dec 30, 2018 11:10 am

maxman wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 11:26 pm If you want to come upto Wrexham I will show/do it for you .Just make sure it's no raining. :D
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 :thumbsup:
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by enzed4 » Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:08 am

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 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). :(
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Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by firebobby » Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:45 am

enzed4 wrote: Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:08 am
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 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). :(
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 years :|
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by MACK » Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:03 pm

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
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.
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!
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:05 pm

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by firebobby » Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:16 pm

Glad you got it sorted, yes it makes such a difference to the steering.
Well done for offering help to others :thumbsup:
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:58 am

firebobby wrote: Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:16 pm Glad you got it sorted, yes it makes such a difference to the steering.
Well done for offering help to others :thumbsup:
Thanks. The steering now feels much better. It's never going to be super smooth, but that goes with the territory.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by ULTRAVOX » 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?
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Image2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by enzed4 » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:52 am

MACK wrote: Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:03 pm
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
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.
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!
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.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Tony Thompson » Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:23 pm

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 :)

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by synthedup » Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:58 pm

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.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by ULTRAVOX » 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!). :headbang:
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?
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https://flic.kr/p/RPTxT1
Image2019-01-02_11-06-33 by Andrew Chandler, on Flickr

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by synthedup » Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:10 am

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!). :headbang:
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?
Shame you're not closer! yours about 3 hours from me.

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Tony Thompson » Sun Jan 27, 2019 12:16 am

This is pretty straight forward fix. Trust me, if I managed it anyone can.

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