sticky steering problem

[nfarmer]

Whats the best way to discribe the feeling of sticky steering then?

Reluctance to leave the straight line????

So you say that it has no affect on turning the steering back to center position?

Not with mine

[DigbyBurnby]

Did lubricating the u joint solve the sticky steering problem?

Cheers
Digby

[Marius]

Did lubricating the u joint solve the sticky steering problem?

Cheers
Digby

Usually yes


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[DigbyBurnby]

That's great. Any pointers if this is a garage job or do it yourself? What's a good lube and how do I get to the u joint?

[Stuart Truman]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but if you have genuine sticky steering, you need a new steering column.

Sticky steering feels like the power steering has "paused" then comes back as you put some pressure on the wheel. It's potentially dangerous at speed. A new column is £1650 plus fitting plus vat. People have had temporary success lubricating the joints, but eventually you'll have to get a replacement column.

[Marius]

That's great. Any pointers if this is a garage job or do it yourself? What's a good lube and how do I get to the u joint?

it's diy job , open the bonnet and you will see on the driver side two joints , i've used copper grease spray can ,did that back in august, didn't have any problems since

not Z4 but it will look similar

[markeg]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but if you have genuine sticky steering, you need a new steering column.

Sticky steering feels like the power steering has "paused" then comes back as you put some pressure on the wheel. It's potentially dangerous at speed. A new column is £1650 plus fitting plus vat. People have had temporary success lubricating the joints, but eventually you'll have to get a replacement column.

+1 - had temporary relief for a year with the grease gun approach, but eventually had to go for a replacement

[Marius]

everyone tried to fit e46 one, will be much cheaper (inc. pump ,pipes, etc.) ,it looks identical to z4 and has same mounting

[Adamski]

Well I had my first experience of sticky steering today.

Just oiled the U joint - massive improvement. I'll hold off replacing the steering column for now

If it gets worse, jaxZ4 has a thread with a positive outcome for c.£300 (part column replacement).


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[ranski]

Well I had my first experience of sticky steering today.

Just oiled the U joint - massive improvement. I'll hold off replacing the steering column for now

If it gets worse, jaxZ4 has a thread with a positive outcome for c.£300 (part column replacement).


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Any reason why its only just surfaced? I haven't experienced on my 2003 yet, but I never put the heating on in the footwells

[Stuart Truman]

Was it a hot day Adam? It's unusual to manifest itself when it's cold out.

[Adamski]

Not hot day, but had heaters on high today. No idea why it just started today. Felt like the steering wheel would hold in position when coming off a corner unless I physically guided the wheel back to straight. Also felt sticky occasionally when beginning to steer.

Oiling the U joint has helped. But then a 6 mile test run afterwards isn't exactly conclusive proof that lubing the joint works.

Won't be out in the car for a while now, but will report if anything changes on the next run


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[ManxKarl]

Just picked up a late 04 and I noticed the sticky after a drive home a little worrying when it happens at a ton, Bought the car without a warranty as it is a real minter with low miles. So im hoping the grease works as dont want to pay out for a whole new column.

Reading the post the and having my engineering head on I agree with the UJ explanation, it would make sense that heat expands the joints and increases the friction. If that is the case then a high temperature grease may help but may never fix it 100%.

Design fault i would say, but keeping fingers crossed the grease helps.

Thanks All

PS.
Isle of Man has no speed limit areas so I wasn't breaking the law by doing a 100 +

[Will6090]

Hi guys, new to the forum and a relatively new Z4 owner.

I seem to also have the sticky, sometimes noisy (when hot) steering problem. I am determined to find a fix for this. I used to work for a large re-manufacturer of auto parts and still work with a lot of small electronic/mechanical/hydraulic equipment as a maintenance engineer in oil & gas.

What I am trying to find is someone with a scrap steering column that I can disassemble methodically to try & establish a failure point. Generally sticky steering is associated with dry gears/bearings and UJ's. Greasing UJ's externally may help but certainly will not solve this issue. Inside this column there will be bearings top & bottom and the most likely culprit, a worm gear that connects the electric motor to a large gear on the column itself. Either the driven gear is worn (as its usually plastic) or components are just a bit dry. A special grease along the lines of white lithium will be needed.

Anyway, when tearing appart and experimenting, we learn the correct way of dismantling only once its too late and your part is broken or way out of line/calibration peramaters. This is why I need a spare as I currently need my car 'sticks and all'. Breakers just seem to see BMW and hoof the price up so not worth it when I'm simply going to tear the thing appart.

If anyone has or can locate a faulty column I'd be greatful for your help in this quest, I'd of course arrange postage or collection.

Cheers guys.

[Adamski]

There was one for sale in the sale section


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