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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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Greg 01
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Greg 01 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:16 am

Hi guys .
Having just read this thread i wonder if this can solve my steering problem .
At high speed it wonders about a bit and i have vibration in the steering wheel , mainly above 55 and very noticeable at 70 ish .
Ive had the wheels balanced , new front tyres , had all the front suspension checked with no play .
Also hunter alignment done , i had begun to wonder whether i have buckled front wheels so going to have them checked .
My car is a 07 , 30 si roadster .
The wondering around at speed ive gotten used to but add the vibration and its spoiling the whole car .
Hopefully this may be the fix im looking for .
Cheers Greg.
Nachtblau metallic 3.0 si auto ,cup holders , whippy back on :thumbsup:

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wonkydonkey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by wonkydonkey » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:24 am

Greg 01 The vibration won't be down to the electric steering, but the wandering could be. When it comes to the vibration, I'd check the following:

1. Wheel balance
2. Brakes (unlikely if vibration happens when you're not braking)
3. Wheel fitment. Are the centre bores of the wheels the correct size for the spigot on the hub?
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

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Greg 01
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Greg 01 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:45 am

Hi wonkdonkey .
I have no spigots on the wheels im runing the 108,s i didnt think they where needed .
Ive just read the hub centre is 72.6 but dont know the centre bore of the 108,s .
Cheers Greg.
Nachtblau metallic 3.0 si auto ,cup holders , whippy back on :thumbsup:

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Ewazix
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Ewazix » Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:29 am

Greg 01 wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:45 am Hi wonkdonkey .
I have no spigots on the wheels im runing the 108,s i didn't think they where needed .
Cheers Greg.
Spigot is the sticky out bit on the hub that the wheel fits over, my 108's had corrosion on the mating surface when I first removed, I'd check and wire brush any crud off all the hubs and refit with a bit of copper slip on the surface. Whilst they are off examine the tyres for uneven wear bands (alignment issues), 'spotting' or odd bald patches (balance weights, or even shock absorbers). Then run your hand around the tread and feel for uneven lumps or bulges, I've had this on a fairly new tyre causing a vibration and was eventually discovered by a tyre fitter after I had exhausted all the usual suspects.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
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Greg 01
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Greg 01 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:38 pm

Cheers ewazix
Im having the wheels and tyres checked as i type this :thumbsup: .
This problem ive had for awhile im now determined to sort it :evil: .
Cheers .
Nachtblau metallic 3.0 si auto ,cup holders , whippy back on :thumbsup:

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Greg 01
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Greg 01 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 2:11 pm

Hi guys .
Both front wheels were well out of balance , :evil: .
D side 15 g
P side 200 g
These were done about 8 weeks ago obviously not done properly :poke: .
I will now see how i go with this .
Cheers for the help guys :thumbsup:
Nachtblau metallic 3.0 si auto ,cup holders , whippy back on :thumbsup:

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Greg 01
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Greg 01 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:24 am

Hi guys .
Went out for a blast up to blackpool last night and after having the wheels checked and the balance redone the vibration has gone completely.
They did say i have a small flat spot on each wheel but its par for the course with the state of the roads round here .
Happy days , :thumbsup:
Nachtblau metallic 3.0 si auto ,cup holders , whippy back on :thumbsup:

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Racer_dude » Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:34 pm

Hi Folks,
New here. Recently bought a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si 56 plate in stunning montego blue in July 2020. Have had the twichy heavy steering issue since purchasing the car. I am based in the Midlands and would appreciate it if someone with experience in fixing the issue would fix my steering problem. Or if any suggestions what to do next or where to get it done. I would be happy to travel to get it sorted and can pay. Thanks

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by blunderthumbs » Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:42 pm

I have this problem with my E85 3.0L. Wandering steering at speed. Does anyone know if Mike at the Zed shed could sort this for me as I suffer with back problems and could never get under the steering column Or if I did I would never get out again :cry:
I'm in Cheshire so the Zed shed is only half an hour away. Any ideas ??? :roll:
2004 Black Sapphire 3.0L SE. Red leather. Back box delete. Clutch valve delete. Roof motor relocated. 18" M star spoke style 193. Machine Monkey exhaust tips. Gap Tec. ZHP Gear knob. Clear side repeaters. Zun Sport lower grille.

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wonkydonkey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by wonkydonkey » Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:13 am

Racer_dude wrote: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:34 pm Hi Folks,
New here. Recently bought a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si 56 plate in stunning montego blue in July 2020. Have had the twichy heavy steering issue since purchasing the car. I am based in the Midlands and would appreciate it if someone with experience in fixing the issue would fix my steering problem. Or if any suggestions what to do next or where to get it done. I would be happy to travel to get it sorted and can pay. Thanks
Hi. I have fixed a few of these now (100% success rate over five or six cars) but am down in Somerset, which would be a bit of a drive for you. Let me know if you want to come down and we can get it sorted.
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

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Reamesy
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Reamesy » Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:56 am

Racer_dude wrote: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:34 pm Hi Folks,
New here. Recently bought a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si 56 plate in stunning montego blue in July 2020. Have had the twichy heavy steering issue since purchasing the car. I am based in the Midlands and would appreciate it if someone with experience in fixing the issue would fix my steering problem. Or if any suggestions what to do next or where to get it done. I would be happy to travel to get it sorted and can pay. Thanks
Im in Chester and would happily do this for you. shouldn't take more than an hour or so as it needs to be adjusted then tested with further refinement to achieve the right amount. SY14 7BJ
Currently; 2011 E89 23i SDrive M Sport Highline Titan Silver
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9

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wonkydonkey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by wonkydonkey » Fri Oct 23, 2020 12:09 pm

Reamesy in case you want to try a different method, I adjust the ring with the front wheels off the ground. This gives a really sensitive feel, meaning that you can hit the sweet spot in one hit, rather than having to go for test drives and readjusting :)
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

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Reamesy
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Reamesy » Mon Nov 02, 2020 8:02 pm

Me too. Had another go as it just was not perfect. Took 60 miles of driving to get it perfect. The issue was if I got the adjustment right for the higher speeds which was the original fault it felt almost digital at low speed especially when going round round about. It would almost go to sleep then wake again when it received input. Hopefully got to spot on now. as it turns out it only needed 5mm as previously mentioned from where I started.
Currently; 2011 E89 23i SDrive M Sport Highline Titan Silver
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:33 pm

Your welcome chaps, glad to see this thread is of some use. :driving:
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Reamesy
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Reamesy » Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:34 pm

wonkydonkey wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2020 12:09 pm Reamesy in case you want to try a different method, I adjust the ring with the front wheels off the ground. This gives a really sensitive feel, meaning that you can hit the sweet spot in one hit, rather than having to go for test drives and readjusting :)
Great idea thank you😉👍
Currently; 2011 E89 23i SDrive M Sport Highline Titan Silver
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9

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