Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
Post Reply
Jamie25
Member
Member
Posts: 282
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:56 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Jamie25 » Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:13 pm

Well from experience I know I'm pretty bad at diagnosing car issues. But I'd have to say no. No vibration just somewhat vauge wandering. The car had very old run flats on the front when I got it circa 16 months ago. These produced a similar but more pronounced sensation. Changing to Eagle F1s transformed it and it felt more planted. The feeling has slowly come back over the last few months.

I've checked all bushes and no obvious signs of excessive wear. It finally feels better after adjusting the ring but I think I'm going to get a full geo done and get them to check the bushes as well to be sure. I've noted the inner edge of the front tyres are slighty more worn so think the geo is the next step before I go spending on random bushes.
E85 3.0 M54 Titanium Silver. 88k. Cotteswolds.

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:04 pm

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sharpy1975
Member
Member
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:59 am

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Sharpy1975 » Thu Dec 20, 2018 7:07 pm

Managed to do this today. Lots of fiddling around but moved the ring about 7mm tighter and my wobble/vibration has almost completely gone. I might try another few mm. How much did you guys move yours as a reference?

Wjsmulders
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:35 pm

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Wjsmulders » Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:38 pm

Hi guys,

I'm trying this method right now. My bolts arent the male's but the females 6 mm hex. Anyone has any tips to get those loose?
Very hard to reach with the hexagon tools, a spanner would have been so much easier.

MKZ4000
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:12 am

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by MKZ4000 » Wed Dec 26, 2018 6:29 pm

My car also has what I would describe as twitchy steering as opposed to sticky, at high speeds. Feels like tramlining and the steering wheel is moving on its own.

When accelerating hard it can be scary to take 1 hand off the wheel to shift. Haven't tried this fix yet but looks encouraging.

I read a lot that tyre pressures can also cause this and checked mine. My fronts were over inflated and rears under. Changed them to 33 & 36 psi and the improvement is amazing. It's still there I would say but not to the same degree.

I know I need new front bushings, a rear spring and alignment which could also be a contributory factor.
BMW E85 Z4M
BMW E85 Z4 2.5
Gone Z4 E85 3.0

User avatar
road warrior
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2287
Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 2:12 pm
Location: Burton On trent

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by road warrior » Thu Dec 27, 2018 7:33 am

Yes I have twitchy steering too, and wheel at 60 mph feels like an unbalanced wheel but I know it isnt.. But I hate the fact that on bumpy roads it turns the wheel on its own in a twitchy way. Is there anybody close to me that can cure it. I read alot about tyre pressure but wonder about tyre size correlation. Some of us have 16/18/19 inch wheels with anything from 225 to 255 at the back and tyre pressures must differ and make a difference somewhere. So for problem sorting and anyone that has sorted this . Please give remedy and tyre sizes and tyre pressures used/tried. I am sure there is a connection here somewhere.
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.

firebobby
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 9529
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
Location: South west Buckinghamshire

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by firebobby » Thu Dec 27, 2018 3:56 pm

I changed my 17" to 18" and that helped with the twitchy steering. The biggest difference was when I adjusted the ring after fitting my reconditioned steering motor. Not sure if having the motor ECU done had anything to do with it or if the ring adjustment did it. What ever it was, my car now drives sooo much better :thumbsup:
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

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sat Dec 29, 2018 1:28 pm

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sat Dec 29, 2018 2:53 pm

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

firebobby
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 9529
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
Location: South west Buckinghamshire

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by firebobby » Sat Dec 29, 2018 6:17 pm

Did you lower the steering column with the lever ?
It is fiddly but doable. If you were closer, I would have a look for you :)
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

User avatar
maxman
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:34 pm
Location: Wrexham

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by maxman » Sat Dec 29, 2018 10:18 pm

As others have mentioned ,8mm ratchet spanner.I used a halfords one.No need to undo any springs.

User avatar
Leesfarm07
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2107
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm
Location: Telford, Shropshire

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Leesfarm07 » Sat Dec 29, 2018 11:07 pm

Only just picked up on this thread as zed has been underused...is there anyone anywhere near (or far) me in telford that's done this and is willing to show me what's what so I can have s go...or I'll pay them to do it...its half the reason is been unused as it's just not nice to drive
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

User avatar
maxman
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:34 pm
Location: Wrexham

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by maxman » Sat Dec 29, 2018 11:26 pm

Leesfarm07 wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 11:07 pm Only just picked up on this thread as zed has been underused...is there anyone anywhere near (or far) me in telford that's done this and is willing to show me what's what so I can have s go...or I'll pay them to do it...its half the reason is been unused as it's just not nice to drive
If you want to come upto Wrexham I will show/do it for you .Just make sure it's no raining. :D

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sun Dec 30, 2018 2:18 am

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sun Dec 30, 2018 2:49 am

.
Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Post Reply