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

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:36 pm

Hi everyone, need some of your expertise please, especially if you have experienced something similar before.
I have Z4 Coupe.

When I am driving, especially on uneven roads, my steering is all over the place. It is like I am constantly battling with the car to drive straight. On the motorway it is not as bad, but certainly it does not drive straight.

Another example is when I am approaching a stop, the steering sometimes tends to rotate 20 degrees to the left. And sometimes its to the right, and sometimes its ok. This issue has been getting worse. Just a few months ago it wasn’t good, but certainly wasn’t this bad.

I just want to know if this is a common issue, and if not any idea what it is? Obviously I will take it to the mechanic but I would like some advice before so they do not rip me off.

Thank you for reading and your responses.

User avatar
philbo909
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1072
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 4:46 pm
Location: SN8

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by philbo909 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:39 pm

Lollipop bushes are shot I would imagine, very common on e46 and z4
Sapphire black z4 coupe 135,000miles young

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

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by firebobby » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:24 pm

Do you still have run flats, these ruin the Z4 experience. As above or try moving the ring on the steering column.
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

TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:08 pm

Thank you for the reply

I do have run flats at the rear, maybe I should consider changing them over. But the bushes do sound like an issue.
How much roughly do they cost to change all the bushes as it is a 12 year old car.

AveZ4coop
Member
Member
Posts: 397
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:08 pm
Location: Peterborough

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by AveZ4coop » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:17 pm

Lollipop bushes are about £50-60 per set. :thumbsup:

Not to expensive to have fitted either as they are 'relatively' easy to do.
Montego blue 2006 BMW Z4 coupe 3.0si with black interior, ZHP, Whippy, 12mm front/16mm rear spacers on BBS 108's wrapped in Michelin PS4's. :driving:Brand new Pierburg water pump fitted at 101k after failure :cry: (should have done it at 100k) :headbang:

Gwest44
Member
Member
Posts: 928
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 10:13 pm
Location: Sheffield

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by Gwest44 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:34 pm

Mine was all over the place until I had the wheels balanced - amazed with the difference and less than £10 per wheel :thumbsup:
Sapphire Black 23i
Previously 7xZ3's, 5xE85's, 2xE86's & 3xE89's

TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Thu Nov 29, 2018 12:39 am

Fantastic response all thank you. Have contacted some local mechanics and will let you know how I get on.
Also if anyone can recommend any trustworthy and reliable mechanics in the west london (near heathrow) area please let me know.

Thank you.

TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Tue Dec 04, 2018 11:40 am

Im getting quoted £480 inc VAT and labour for the front two Arms and Bushes.

Is that too excessive or just about right?

User avatar
MACK
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3600
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:38 am
Location: Manchester

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by MACK » Tue Dec 04, 2018 1:05 pm

This sounds very much like tramlining. How old/worn are the front tyres? Have the lollipops Checked first and if theyre OK Id be looking at replacing the front tyres
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)

White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)

TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Tue Dec 04, 2018 7:35 pm

Thank you.

Just did the wheel alignment, but they told me its ok anyway. Have booked a BMW specialist to have a look now as the other garage told me the bushes aren't too bad so that may not be the issue. Lets see.

TIGERPOOL87
Member
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:42 am

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by TIGERPOOL87 » Tue Dec 04, 2018 7:35 pm

Front tyres have normal wear, they dont need to be changed yet, but I guess I will know more when the specialist have a look.

noiseboy72
Member
Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:47 pm

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by noiseboy72 » Tue Dec 04, 2018 10:40 pm

Try reducing tyre pressures a little. 5 PSI might well sort out this issue, it did on mine.
E85 2.5si Sport in dark blue. Calibre CC S wheels

What could possibly go wrong!

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

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by firebobby » Thu Dec 06, 2018 11:20 pm

Where are you based, see if there's another member near you who could have a look. When I got my Zed, I thought it was out to kill me, it was all over the road and just seemed dangerous.I ditched the run flats (big improvement) and fitting 18" wheels also helped. The biggest improvement was adjusting the ring on the steering motor.
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

greg81

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by greg81 » Thu Dec 06, 2018 11:26 pm

A mix of RF/non RF is a recipe for trouble in itself

Chrisd928
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:38 pm
Location: Ashby de la zouch

Z4 Coupe Steering Issues

Post by Chrisd928 » Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:28 pm

Hi all, glad I joined this forum, my recently purchased E86 is all over the place on the road. 19" CSL reps (non RFT) with front tyres worn on inside edge, just finished rebuilding front suspension (pics in newbies forum) and replaced (literally) everything along the way including a Bilstein b12 kit to replace the totally shagged suspension. the Z will be off the road for a few weeks having the rear bushes/arms/driveshaft bushes and gearbox mounts/diff mounts/all fluids replaced so I will try this fix and report back once finished.
Hopefully this and a set of Goodyear F1 asymmetric will cure the feeling that my car is trying to kill me, otherwise ill have to name her Christine :lol:
(the front tyres are worn on inside edge due to previous owner fitting H&R springs to original worn out shocks with stock mounts etc, lucky to catch the issues before they destroyed the car, mounts were millimetres from failure) They will be replaced along with new rear tyres (ditchfinders fitted currently) once all the work is complete along with a hunter align (already had done but will redo once work complete).
If I don't report back then please assume Christine read this post and decided against the work, or I'm in a ditch somewhere with valuable E86 parts waiting to be found :rofl:
E86 3.0Si in midnight blue, stubby and csl reps only mods. Currently rebuilding all suspension and drivetrain.

Post Reply