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sticky steering problem
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- Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:00 am
sticky steering problem
hi Guys,
seems that i have a bit of a sticky steering problem, done a search and it is a known problem witht he elec power assist, poss recall in US for 2003 - 2005 models.
Could you please guide me to previous threads on this issue.
Would like to know more about whether or not it can become more of an issue. At the moment it does not feel too bad, but does it get worse? I believe the problem gets worse with higher ambient temperature.
2003 car bought car from a non bmw dealer, still within its 3 month warranty, do you think I will have any joy with the dealer on this possible problem?
Thanks
Rich
seems that i have a bit of a sticky steering problem, done a search and it is a known problem witht he elec power assist, poss recall in US for 2003 - 2005 models.
Could you please guide me to previous threads on this issue.
Would like to know more about whether or not it can become more of an issue. At the moment it does not feel too bad, but does it get worse? I believe the problem gets worse with higher ambient temperature.
2003 car bought car from a non bmw dealer, still within its 3 month warranty, do you think I will have any joy with the dealer on this possible problem?
Thanks
Rich
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3066
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:40 pm
- Location: Somerset
Re: sticky steering problem
If you go into Forum and then problems on the e85 and search for sticky+steering you will find a number of posts likeTHIS ONE
- agammon
- Member
- Posts: 81
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:48 pm
- Location: Greenwich, London
Re: sticky steering problem
I'd take it in on warranty, the garage I got mine from wouldn't give me the car until they fixed the issue even though it cost them half the amount I paid for the car...
Aaron - 2003 Z4 2.5i
- Adamski
- Lifer
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- Location: Edinburgh
sticky steering problem
+1 Aim for warranty repairagammon wrote:I'd take it in on warranty.....
Have a good read through the problem threads for info too though
Gets worse in hotter temps, and can be caused/aggravated by excessive use of heaters blasting hot air into the footwells...
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Gone: Z4M Coupé|Black Sapphire|OEM CSLs|Aero Skirts|OEM Strut Brace|Nav|Heated Seats|Logic 7 Pro Hi-fi|Bluetooth|Carbon Leather|PDC|BMW Assist|Stubby
Gone: Cherished 2003 3.0i Black Sapphire Roadster
Gone: Cherished 2003 3.0i Black Sapphire Roadster
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Re: sticky steering problem
Thanks guys, my only worry with take back as warranty is its not a BMW garage so think they wont have a clue about the fault, it seems even bMw dont want to admit there is a fault
So what I have found out so far
1/ there is an open case in US relating to recall due to this problem
2/ some owners have got whole steering columns changed out under warranty, although none of them actually have said what the root cause of the problem was.
3/ some on threads have said it is attributed to the heating aimed at the steering column footwell area which causes heating of the steering column area which causes subsequent heating of the electric assist steering module which causes the sticky steering problem. i.e some sort of eletrical problem with the eletric steering module which is located on the actual steering column.
4/ some have said they think it can be attributed to a mechanical fault caused by the universal joints attached to the steering column heating up therefore expanding and causing the sticky steering by some sort of expansion friction problem.
Conclusions I make from the above information on threads are :-
1- steering column change out - If this was a problem with eletric assist module why would the exact same problem not occur? would the module be mounted somewhere else? or more likely when changing out the column they also changed out the UJ joints and re-greased which actually solved the problem.
2 - If this only happens on 2003-2005 models what is it different post 2005 models that solves the issue?
3 - Heating the electric steering column causing and electric fault - this is highly unlikely, why would heat cause fault with an eletronic part in a module? It would likely fail or completely stop working, not cause a sticky steering issue.
4- mechanical Universal joint expansion causing friction, this sounds the most likely cause, and this could be caused at heat directed at the footwell area on the steering colum, some people have sprayed grease on the joints and seen a marked improvement. Could someone please reply if they had this issue and it was solved with the greasing solution as I would like to try this.
5 - Run flat tyres causing issue, this is not likely, it may cause something similar but not as pronounced and not the exact problem.
I have had my car for less than 2 months and it has always felt the same, plus not experienced it with any warmer temperatures, however, longer runs have not aggrivated the issue either.
I will try the UJ joint greasing and see how that works.
Any further comments on the accuracy of my comments would be gratefyully appreciated as I am trying to build this picture up to nail down the root cause of this issue.
regards
Rich
So what I have found out so far
1/ there is an open case in US relating to recall due to this problem
2/ some owners have got whole steering columns changed out under warranty, although none of them actually have said what the root cause of the problem was.
3/ some on threads have said it is attributed to the heating aimed at the steering column footwell area which causes heating of the steering column area which causes subsequent heating of the electric assist steering module which causes the sticky steering problem. i.e some sort of eletrical problem with the eletric steering module which is located on the actual steering column.
4/ some have said they think it can be attributed to a mechanical fault caused by the universal joints attached to the steering column heating up therefore expanding and causing the sticky steering by some sort of expansion friction problem.
Conclusions I make from the above information on threads are :-
1- steering column change out - If this was a problem with eletric assist module why would the exact same problem not occur? would the module be mounted somewhere else? or more likely when changing out the column they also changed out the UJ joints and re-greased which actually solved the problem.
2 - If this only happens on 2003-2005 models what is it different post 2005 models that solves the issue?
3 - Heating the electric steering column causing and electric fault - this is highly unlikely, why would heat cause fault with an eletronic part in a module? It would likely fail or completely stop working, not cause a sticky steering issue.
4- mechanical Universal joint expansion causing friction, this sounds the most likely cause, and this could be caused at heat directed at the footwell area on the steering colum, some people have sprayed grease on the joints and seen a marked improvement. Could someone please reply if they had this issue and it was solved with the greasing solution as I would like to try this.
5 - Run flat tyres causing issue, this is not likely, it may cause something similar but not as pronounced and not the exact problem.
I have had my car for less than 2 months and it has always felt the same, plus not experienced it with any warmer temperatures, however, longer runs have not aggrivated the issue either.
I will try the UJ joint greasing and see how that works.
Any further comments on the accuracy of my comments would be gratefyully appreciated as I am trying to build this picture up to nail down the root cause of this issue.
regards
Rich
- Adamski
- Lifer
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- Location: Edinburgh
sticky steering problem
Give the grease a try and see if there's an improvement. Definitely worth a try.
The problem seems intermittent. The majority of 2003-2005 owners don't get this, so a warranty repair could see a permanent fix...?
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The problem seems intermittent. The majority of 2003-2005 owners don't get this, so a warranty repair could see a permanent fix...?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Gone: Z4M Coupé|Black Sapphire|OEM CSLs|Aero Skirts|OEM Strut Brace|Nav|Heated Seats|Logic 7 Pro Hi-fi|Bluetooth|Carbon Leather|PDC|BMW Assist|Stubby
Gone: Cherished 2003 3.0i Black Sapphire Roadster
Gone: Cherished 2003 3.0i Black Sapphire Roadster
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- Newbie
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Re: sticky steering problem
Hi guys,
Just tried the lubrication on the steering column Universal joints and I just took it for a spin. I am pleased to say that I really think it might have solved the issue. The steering felt totally different, not a stick or notch in sight which was amazing since I have had the problem since I got the car the other month.
Will update after a few more drives but at the moment really looks hopeful.
Cheers
Rich
Just tried the lubrication on the steering column Universal joints and I just took it for a spin. I am pleased to say that I really think it might have solved the issue. The steering felt totally different, not a stick or notch in sight which was amazing since I have had the problem since I got the car the other month.
Will update after a few more drives but at the moment really looks hopeful.
Cheers
Rich
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Re: sticky steering problem
Another one hopefully cured with the old UJ luberwilki wrote:Hi guys,
Just tried the lubrication on the steering column Universal joints and I just took it for a spin. I am pleased to say that I really think it might have solved the issue. The steering felt totally different, not a stick or notch in sight which was amazing since I have had the problem since I got the car the other month.
Will update after a few more drives but at the moment really looks hopeful.
Cheers
Rich
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
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- Member
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- Location: Worcestershire
Re: sticky steering problem
I did that as well but used motor bike chain grease as its designed to work its way inside and it gave a distinct improvement but not perfect. However when I had a new hood motor fitted at an Indy (Autotech Telford) he checked that all the software was up to date and my steering ECU wasnt. He downloaded the upgrade and installed again a vast improvement.Ewazix wrote:Another one hopefully cured with the old UJ luberwilki wrote:Hi guys,
Just tried the lubrication on the steering column Universal joints and I just took it for a spin. I am pleased to say that I really think it might have solved the issue. The steering felt totally different, not a stick or notch in sight which was amazing since I have had the problem since I got the car the other month.
Will update after a few more drives but at the moment really looks hopeful.
Cheers
Rich
There might be a litttle tightness still but I'm so sensitised to it it could be my imagination.
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Re: sticky steering problem
Interesting about the ECU upgrade, worth rememberingnfarmer wrote:I did that as well but used motor bike chain grease as its designed to work its way inside and it gave a distinct improvement but not perfect. However when I had a new hood motor fitted at an Indy (Autotech Telford) he checked that all the software was up to date and my steering ECU wasnt. He downloaded the upgrade and installed again a vast improvement.Ewazix wrote:Another one hopefully cured with the old UJ luberwilki wrote:Hi guys,
Just tried the lubrication on the steering column Universal joints and I just took it for a spin. I am pleased to say that I really think it might have solved the issue. The steering felt totally different, not a stick or notch in sight which was amazing since I have had the problem since I got the car the other month.
Will update after a few more drives but at the moment really looks hopeful.
Cheers
Rich
There might be a litttle tightness still but I'm so sensitised to it it could be my imagination.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- bigshurv
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1513
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:09 pm
- Location: Northampton
Re: sticky steering problem
The steering feel in E85's isn't the best tbh,so don't confuse poor steering feel with a fault. I've had mine, '03 model, nearly 4 years and have had the sticky steering issue only 3 times, when it was parked in very hot sun all day each time.Running it with the aircon on full cold and aiming it into the footwells for about 5 mins cured it. I'm happy to live with it as it doesn't bother me that much.
- thefmister
- Member
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:36 pm
Re: sticky steering problem
Whats the best way to discribe the feeling of sticky steering then?
'09 E89 Z4 35i Executive blue, DCT, 296's, Adaptive M suspension, Nav, HiFi, Comfort Access, Light package, Sports Seats, Adaptive headlights. Stubby.
Sold: '03 Z4 2.5i maldives blue.
Sold: '03 Z4 2.5i maldives blue.
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Re: sticky steering problem
Reluctance to leave the straight line????thefmister wrote:Whats the best way to discribe the feeling of sticky steering then?
- thefmister
- Member
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Re: sticky steering problem
So you say that it has no affect on turning the steering back to center position?nfarmer wrote:Reluctance to leave the straight line????thefmister wrote:Whats the best way to discribe the feeling of sticky steering then?
'09 E89 Z4 35i Executive blue, DCT, 296's, Adaptive M suspension, Nav, HiFi, Comfort Access, Light package, Sports Seats, Adaptive headlights. Stubby.
Sold: '03 Z4 2.5i maldives blue.
Sold: '03 Z4 2.5i maldives blue.
- seanodwyer
- Member
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- Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 2:50 pm
- Location: Wexford
Re: sticky steering problem
I always noticed mine when making small adjustments to the steering wheel. It was if the steering wheel was locked, and I had to put more force than usual to move. It happened mostly when it was off center for a while and then I had to straighten it up.
2005, 2.0L E85, Toledo Blue. Mods: Stubby, ZHP gear knob, cruise control, AUX, Cup Holders, De-badged, Brodit Iphone 4 holder, OEM hood cover, Black Grilles, OEM mesh windblocker, Nokia CK-100 car kit, tinted rear lights, ACS pedal set and loads of TLC