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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

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

Post by Roundozo » Thu Feb 08, 2018 4:21 pm

GuidoK wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:58 pm
Roundozo wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:01 amI can vouch for this fix. Done it on my coupe a while back and it's transformed the steering. Feels so much more planted on the road now. Great fix OP! :thumbsup:
You had sticky steering on your coupe?
Thats quite rare to have it on a FL car.
I wouldn't call it "sticky" steering like the pre facelift roadsters had it was more of a loose feel. All mechanical parts replaced but was still there. Moved the ring about 10mm and it feels much better. I believe the OP was a Coupe too.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:37 pm

so does this fix sticky steering?
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:08 pm

mac27040 wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:37 pmso does this fix sticky steering?
The last car I did it on had this issue and it solved it for him. 2004 alpina.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Roundozo » Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:36 pm

mac27040 wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:37 pmso does this fix sticky steering?
Even if you're unsure, it's a 30 min job (with the right tools) so worth a punt anyway.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by markplant » Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:42 pm

mac27040 wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:37 pmso does this fix sticky steering?
Hi Neil, andyfanshawe had some sort of fix iirc, only in chesterfield if you fancied th run up, or drop him a pm
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:07 am

Thanks all, will do it myself this weekend, its just the post talks mainly about wheel wobble not sticky steering.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by ionofchios » Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:45 pm

Yay! Managed to get bolts loose with a couple of new tools!

So, I have left-hand drive car, and when I’m sitting in the driver’s seat, the motor is to the left of the steering column. Looking up under the column from the footwell, I can see both shoulders of the adjustment ring facing downwards. Anyone know which one to push upwards on to tighten - the one nearest to me (back of car) or the one furthest (front of car)?

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:56 am

Did mine this morning with an 8mm ratchet spanner, moved the ring approx 10mm with my fingers. Let’s hope that cures the sticky steering I’ve always had on a long run.
Easy job :thumbsup:
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Ducklakeview » Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:59 am

mac27040 wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:56 amDid mine this morning with an 8mm ratchet spanner, moved the ring approx 10mm with my fingers. Let’s hope that cures the sticky steering I’ve always had on a long run.
Easy job :thumbsup:
10mm may be a little bit much in my experience.. I normally start with 5 and see how it goes, too much can introduce play and it then feels weird when the motor starts to spin. The ratchet spanner does make the job easier though doesn't it?

Mike

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Mr Whippy » Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:14 pm

Hmmm this is interesting.

Almost all the time I've had the car I've had an occasional feint knock/rattle on rough gravelly farm type tracks.
It also does it on those sharp edged block type speed bumps.


I've never noticed significant wandering at speed, but it's not what I'd call super planted either.

I just had insp2 and asked specifically about rack looseness (again and again over the years) and it was deemed solid.



This is interesting because the looseness is between the 'assistance' and rack, not in the steering connection itself.

I'm very tempted to tighten mine 3mm and see if the rattly noise goes away and higher speed solidity improves.




On a related note. My new F30 steering has a loud knock from the steering when the car is off. But there is clearly no play.

It goes away once it's started. I heard the techs mentioning electro magnetic something or other.

I'm wondering if the newer EPS have a system that simply pulls the gears tight during operation to a desired force, so removing/reducing any issues with thermals, wear over time etc.
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:18 pm

Ducklakeview wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:59 am
mac27040 wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:56 amDid mine this morning with an 8mm ratchet spanner, moved the ring approx 10mm with my fingers. Let’s hope that cures the sticky steering I’ve always had on a long run.
Easy job :thumbsup:
10mm may be a little bit much in my experience.. I normally start with 5 and see how it goes, too much can introduce play and it then feels weird when the motor starts to spin. The ratchet spanner does make the job easier though doesn't it?

Mike
Went for a drive a steering feels more responsive. :thumbsup:
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by ionofchios » Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:36 pm

Just been playing with mine (my car, that is). On left-hand drive car it is counterclockwise to tighten (same as for right-hand drive), looking at the front of the motor, as in original pics.

Initial testing seems to show that tightening a bit has fixed the twitchiness at 70 mph. Pretty pleased with the result! Thanks so much, OP! :rofl:

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:28 am

Drove my car for a week after moving the adjuster approx 10mm, think that’s too much!! As it was a lot stiffer. So I have adjusted it back by 5mm and much nicer drive :thumbsup:
Attachments
Slacken E11 bolt, I used an 8mm ratchet spanner
Slacken E11 bolt, I used an 8mm ratchet spanner
8C91BD17-863A-4E7F-91C6-270C031A860D.jpeg (343.78 KiB) Viewed 2893 times
Slacken E11 bolt, I used an 8mm ratchet spanner
Slacken E11 bolt, I used an 8mm ratchet spanner
37C02ED8-4FD1-43A1-A0FD-5875B4F70051.jpeg (288.83 KiB) Viewed 2893 times
Unplug speaker and footwell light
Unplug speaker and footwell light
917C0A8A-BC89-415E-834D-5BB1E1053635.jpeg (456.28 KiB) Viewed 2893 times
Remove screw and take off lower cowl
Remove screw and take off lower cowl
480B36FE-08D8-45CF-8A34-BAA530BDE8ED.jpeg (370.48 KiB) Viewed 2893 times
Remove 3 screws that hold the cover up
Remove 3 screws that hold the cover up
24A03E53-A7E2-4ADE-8F1F-5C28AD6CCE28.jpeg (360.92 KiB) Viewed 2893 times
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by markplant » Sat Feb 17, 2018 12:04 pm

Excellent
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by mac27040 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 4:40 pm

This is for right hand drive models

Right had another play with this, originally moved it 10mm towards the pedals which made the steering heavy and guessing reduced power steering input, moved it back 5mm and still had sticky steering, after reading the TIS manual i moved it 5mm the other way from the original setup and what a difference, no sticky steering :driving:
Attachments
z4 power steering.JPG
z4 power steering.JPG (83.52 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
3.0i SMG Supercharged,19" CSL, AvinUSA android 10.25” screen,DSP,M6 gearknob,Coilovers,Aero F-bumper,M r-bumper,Aero skirts,Facelift front & rear lights,M sports seats,Carbon Steering wheel,Intravee,Rervese cam,Hydrographics

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