E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:59 pm

Ewazix wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:52 pmI know that James the Wonkeydonkey has successfully done a few in our area so would defer to his expertise on slack ringing (oo-er nurse )

Excuse me, I resemble that remark!!

Somerset is a long way from Leicester but by all means contact me if you find yourself down in this corner Pete.

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:01 pm

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:03 pm

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 1:09 pm

bladeowner · Post by **bladeowner** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:53 pm

PeteWard wrote: ↑Fri Dec 14, 2018 1:09 pm
PeteWard wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:03 pm
PeteWard wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:01 pm Yes, it's a long drive. Thank you for the offer, James.
If I can't get the work done closer to home, I might take you up on it...
Just a quick update... I've been to Sytner and their head technician said that they can't do the work, as "it's not a BMW approved repair", which is what I expected them to say. I'm considering have a go at it myself, I've ordered an 8mm flexible head ratchet spanner. I'm fairly handy, but haven't got any experience of working on cars. Do you think this is a good idea?! If I follow the instructions on here, what's the chances of me creating a disaster?!

Cheers

It is now a BMW approved repair as it's in the TIS see further back on page 4 of this thread or here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=100725&start=45

It's a simple procedure but access is awkward if you have a go yourself.

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:58 pm

PeteWard you shouldn't really get in a mess with it. If you find you can access (and undo) the two bolts in question, you can have a fiddle. If you mark the adjustor ring and the housing it butts up to before you make any changes, you will be able to revert the steering back to its current setting. As I've had practice on a few now I can make the adjustment in about 15 minutes, but I know some have struggled. If you don't manage it, you're no worse off than you are now

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:11 pm

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:17 pm

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:19 pm

PeteWard indeed. If worst comes to worst and you can't undo the two clamp bolts, all you have to do is refit the footwell trim panel (3 crosshead screws) you removed to gain access. I haven't used a torque wrench for this job, no.

markplant · Post by **markplant** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:35 pm

PeteWard wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:01 pm
wonkydonkey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:59 pm
Ewazix wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:52 pmI know that James the Wonkeydonkey has successfully done a few in our area so would defer to his expertise on slack ringing (oo-er nurse )
Excuse me, I resemble that remark!! Somerset is a long way from Leicester but by all means contact me if you find yourself down in this corner Pete.
Yes, it's a long drive. Thank you for the offer, James.

Pete
A few people you could ask the question to ,
James at Bmwman at heanor near the IKEA between notts an derby, a few on the forum are happy with his work.
Or Andy fanshawe, who is in chesterfield and runs a small shop had a restoration thread on here an is very thorough.

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:17 pm

Jamie25 · Post by **Jamie25** » Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:58 pm

Thought my steering felt vauge so I tightened the ring up a little a while ago. No discernable effect so tried a little tighter today. Short test drive followed by tightening a little more and repeat. Then realised it was sticky steering after all. Backed it off to about 10 mm past where I started and it feels like a new car. So much more confidence at speed now.

So thanks to the OP. I'll be out later giving it a proper test drive.

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:56 am

Jamie25 · Post by **Jamie25** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:31 pm

At 6'5" there was a bit of contortion required but very easy to adjust. Although I used an 8mm ratchet spanner as I couldn't see any way of getting a socket onto the clamp bolts.

synthedup · Post by **synthedup** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:39 pm

Jamie25 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:31 pm At 6'5" there was a bit of contortion required but very easy to adjust. Although I used an 8mm ratchet spanner as I couldn't see any way of getting a socket onto the clamp bolts.

Hi Jamie,

Just a question, does the issue you have on motorways feel like a badly balanced wheel?

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