07 e86 coupe sport wriggling steering above 60mph

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 11:34 am

Hello

I get a strange fidgety wriggling from my steering above 60. If I take my hands off the wheel it doesn't veer but you can see it twitching even on a smooth motorway surface. Front lollipop bushes, 2 new front tyres and alignment to OEM spec (some improvement) have been done, what should I look at next? I understand from TIS https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e86- ... n/FA4qjk9W that the sticky steering issue doesn't/ shouldn't affect facelift cars - is that correct? RTABs?

thanks

Rich8 · Post by **Rich8** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:20 pm

Although not as severe as sticky steering, I think the EPS can still affect the steering a bit on facelift cars and make it twitch a little.
It baffled everyone for years - people changing almost everything from bushes to suspension parts and tyres with limited luck - until a year or two ago when a few threads came on here about some kind of adjustment that can be made to a collet type thing on the steering column accessed from the driver footwell.
Worth looking for those threads and trying that first before forking out for replacement bits as it's practically free to sort. I believe all that is needed is a spanner wielding midget with miniscule hands.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:33 pm

Yes, it's been discussed before - here is a link:- viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78549

I hope you get it sorted.

R60BBA · Post by **R60BBA** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:40 pm

iksander wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 11:34 am 2 new front tyres

Did you fit runflats?

Rich8 · Post by **Rich8** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 9:14 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:33 pm Yes, it's been discussed before - here is a link:- viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78549

That's the badger

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:05 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:33 pm Yes, it's been discussed before - here is a link:- viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78549

I hope you get it sorted.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it still affected facelift cars. I have bought a 8mm flexible ratchet spanner which I understand is the tool for the job so I will steel myself for some contortions in the footwell and have a go.

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:07 pm

Did you fit runflats?

No, regular PS4s. Plan to get some for the rears too when they finally become available

z4pilot · Post by **z4pilot** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:45 pm

iksander wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:07 pm
Did you fit runflats?
No, regular PS4s. Plan to get some for the rears too when they finally become available

So what have you got on the back? Is there any correalation time wise for when this started with when you put the fronts on?

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 4:02 pm

Some Falken Azenis FK510 non runflats on the rear. It was happening before I put the fronts on which were previously mismatched

basil the dog · Post by **basil the dog** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:51 pm

When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine

Mr.President · Post by **Mr.President** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:10 pm

I have the same problem as OP on my coupe.
Tried fiddling with EPS eccentric ring and it improved the situation a bit, but didnt cure it.
Alignmnet also helped a bit but i still feel unsafe driving at speed. In my experiene, lowering the tyre pressure makes the situation a bit better, around 2.3bar front (225/40/18) and 2.5 rears (255/35/18).
If i ever do find a solution, i will make sure to post it on this forum.

Wigsters · Post by **Wigsters** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:48 pm

Hi. Please update when you have made adjustments.
My E86 does this, doesn't cause any instability but 'feels wrong' and very noticeable when you are just off centre in the steering at speed. It feels more like a slight stick/release with small movements than anything alignment or balance (I am fussy about both and have had them sorted).
I am actually used to it now but would rather that it didn't happen so am interested in whether you can resolve this.

R60BBA · Post by **R60BBA** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:22 pm

basil the dog wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:51 pm When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine

40 psi all round?

That’s way too high mate.

You should run no more than 32 front, 34 rear (cold).

@iksander - doubt it’s your RTABs, if they were shot the rear end would be darting about, which doesn’t sound like what you’ve described.

It sounds like it could be something like a track rod end, but again seems guesswork. Best bet would be to take it back where you had your alignment and explain to them your issue and see if they can rectify it for you.

Good luck

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Sun Feb 02, 2020 6:45 pm

Mr.President wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:10 pm I have the same problem as OP on my coupe.
Tried fiddling with EPS eccentric ring and it improved the situation a bit, but didnt cure it.
Alignmnet also helped a bit but i still feel unsafe driving at speed. In my experiene, lowering the tyre pressure makes the situation a bit better, around 2.3bar front (225/40/18) and 2.5 rears (255/35/18).
If i ever do find a solution, i will make sure to post it on this forum.

Is yours a facelift? I'm hesitant to fiddle with my EPS because as far as I can tell (from TIS) eccentric ring adjustment is only applicable to pre 2006 cards

iksander · Post by **iksander** » Sun Feb 02, 2020 6:48 pm

Thanks for the reply. I am running 32 PSI front 34 rear. The place that did alignment were hopeless (incorrectly told me that rear camber was not adjustable) so I wont bother with them again. Still trying to find a clued up alignment place in Newbury

R60BBA wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:22 pm
basil the dog wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:51 pm When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine
40 psi all round?

That’s way too high mate.

You should run no more than 32 front, 34 rear (cold).

@iksander - doubt it’s your RTABs, if they were shot the rear end would be darting about, which doesn’t sound like what you’ve described.

It sounds like it could be something like a track rod end, but again seems guesswork. Best bet would be to take it back where you had your alignment and explain to them your issue and see if they can rectify it for you.

Good luck

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