Not with minethefmister wrote: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?
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sticky steering problem
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Re: sticky steering problem
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Re: sticky steering problem
Did lubricating the u joint solve the sticky steering problem?
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Digby
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Digby
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Re: sticky steering problem
Usually yesDigbyBurnby wrote:Did lubricating the u joint solve the sticky steering problem?
Cheers
Digby
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Re: sticky steering problem
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
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Re: sticky steering problem
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.
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.
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Previously Alpina Roadster S #69 Alpina Blue
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Re: sticky steering problem
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 sinceDigbyBurnby wrote: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?
not Z4 but it will look similar
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Re: sticky steering problem
+1 - had temporary relief for a year with the grease gun approach, but eventually had to go for a replacementStuart Truman wrote: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.
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Re: sticky steering problem
everyone tried to fit e46 one, will be much cheaper (inc. pump ,pipes, etc.) ,it looks identical to z4 and has same mounting
- Adamski
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Re: sticky steering problem
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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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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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
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- ranski
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Re: sticky steering problem
Any reason why its only just surfaced? I haven't experienced on my 2003 yet, but I never put the heating on in the footwellsAdamski wrote: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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- Stuart Truman
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Re: sticky steering problem
Was it a hot day Adam? It's unusual to manifest itself when it's cold out.
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Z4M Roadster, Imola Red, with Stubby and Intravee II. Low Miles per Gallon, High Smiles per Gallon
Previously Alpina Roadster S #69 Alpina Blue
Z4M Roadster, Imola Red, with Stubby and Intravee II. Low Miles per Gallon, High Smiles per Gallon
Previously Alpina Roadster S #69 Alpina Blue
- Adamski
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Re: sticky steering problem
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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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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Gone: Cherished 2003 3.0i Black Sapphire Roadster
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Re: sticky steering problem
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 +
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 +
2007 Z4 Coupe, Midnight Blue.
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Re: sticky steering problem
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.
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.
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Re: sticky steering problem
There was one for sale in the sale section
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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