Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Very Stiff Steering,
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:46 pm
Very Stiff Steering,
My 2013 Z4 has developed very stiff steering so much so that at very low speed it is almost imposable to steer, the problem is not present all of the time but it can be alarming when it happens while driving. Please can anyone advise me on what is causing this problem and how I can remedy it? I know that it is probably a fault with the electric power steering motor, if so can this be repaired or must it be replaced? Thanks.
-
OnlineChippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2320
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
Very Stiff Steering,
I had a problem with the steering being heavy and not by, it turned out to be the universal joint on the steering Column where it runs inside the engine bay close to the exhaust (N54 engine)
I applied liberal amounts of penetrating oil which rectified the problem
I applied liberal amounts of penetrating oil which rectified the problem
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 11058
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:27 pm
Very Stiff Steering,
As well as Chippie’s suggestion you could get it plugged into a code reader to see if that throws anything up. MR2’s for eg, can have problems with their power steering ECU’s. Hope you get sorted without too much expanse.
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
Very Stiff Steering,
If it's intermittent then probably a duff EPS system, there was a recall on certain Z4s for exactly that problem, not sure if it was US only though. If that's the case it'll show up on a code scanner. New rack costs about £2k!
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9537
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Very Stiff Steering,
I've heard of early Zeds having steering issues, didn't realise the E89 suffered too. This is a 2013 and not a 2003 model ?
Welcome to the forum by the way
Got any photos
Welcome to the forum by the way
Got any photos
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
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Very Stiff Steering,
E89 steering failures seem very uncommon..maybe its a mechanical issue as Chippie suggests?
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
Very Stiff Steering,
It's all over other Z4 forums. The recall was only for US vehicles so probably why it's not talked about here.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showt ... p?t=631481
I'm not saying that this is the fault but more than the mode of failure is identical to what the OP is describing. I've spent more time that I'd like to admit messing around with the EPS system and its software, this recall was just something that came up when I was doing some reading.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showt ... p?t=631481
I'm not saying that this is the fault but more than the mode of failure is identical to what the OP is describing. I've spent more time that I'd like to admit messing around with the EPS system and its software, this recall was just something that came up when I was doing some reading.
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9537
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Very Stiff Steering,
They didn't learn from the early zed then
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
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Very Stiff Steering,
R.E92 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:18 pm It's all over other Z4 forums. The recall was only for US vehicles so probably why it's not talked about here.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showt ... p?t=631481
I'm not saying that this is the fault but more than the mode of failure is identical to what the OP is describing. I've spent more time that I'd like to admit messing around with the EPS system and its software, this recall was just something that came up when I was doing some reading.
They said 162 US uniits out of 118,000 production run..unlucky for a few..
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:46 pm
Very Stiff Steering,
Hi, Thanks to everyone who replied, all vey helpful.
I have now had the car tested at an independent here in Cambridge and the fault code D516 has shown up, he wants to change the whole steering rack at a cost of just over £2000. My research tells me that the fault is with ECU of the power steering motor but this part is not available separately from the rack (how stupid is that). However a company called ECU Testing will fully test, overhaul and and re-program the motor if it is removed from the car and posted to them for £255 +vat in a three day turnaround. They say the the finished motor is better than the original as the is an upgrade installed, also that if the complete replacement rack was fitted this would be the same as the original as the manufactures (I guess BMW) still supply it as the original without upgrade.
Off to my brothers tomorrow (20 miles away) he's a motorcycle engineer and together we will remove the steering motor, perhaps I should say I am 70 and he's nearly 80, so wish us luck.
I have now had the car tested at an independent here in Cambridge and the fault code D516 has shown up, he wants to change the whole steering rack at a cost of just over £2000. My research tells me that the fault is with ECU of the power steering motor but this part is not available separately from the rack (how stupid is that). However a company called ECU Testing will fully test, overhaul and and re-program the motor if it is removed from the car and posted to them for £255 +vat in a three day turnaround. They say the the finished motor is better than the original as the is an upgrade installed, also that if the complete replacement rack was fitted this would be the same as the original as the manufactures (I guess BMW) still supply it as the original without upgrade.
Off to my brothers tomorrow (20 miles away) he's a motorcycle engineer and together we will remove the steering motor, perhaps I should say I am 70 and he's nearly 80, so wish us luck.
Very Stiff Steering,
Sounds like a cogent plan..good luck..let us know how it goes pls..
Useful to have a repertoire of relatively low cost solutions to keep the fleet going?
Useful to have a repertoire of relatively low cost solutions to keep the fleet going?
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:46 pm
Very Stiff Steering,
Will do Phondar.
-
Onlineronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14221
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Very Stiff Steering,
Good luck with the work
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:46 pm
Very Stiff Steering,
Hi,
Just to let you know that I received the electric steering motor back from ECU Testing today, they say that they have found and repaired a fault that was conducive with the steering problems I was having. This is good news as there was always a worry that it wasn't faulty and I would have to start to look for something else. I will be fitting the motor tomorrow and will keep you informed on progress.
Some Newbee questions.
While the car has been off the road in the last week and a half I have taken the opportunity to refurb my wheels and have some pics should I post them here in the wheels and tyres section?
Similarly, I want to ask about best tyres to buy for my car shall i put that under Tyres and wheels, it now seems obvious doesn't it..
Just to let you know that I received the electric steering motor back from ECU Testing today, they say that they have found and repaired a fault that was conducive with the steering problems I was having. This is good news as there was always a worry that it wasn't faulty and I would have to start to look for something else. I will be fitting the motor tomorrow and will keep you informed on progress.
Some Newbee questions.
While the car has been off the road in the last week and a half I have taken the opportunity to refurb my wheels and have some pics should I post them here in the wheels and tyres section?
Similarly, I want to ask about best tyres to buy for my car shall i put that under Tyres and wheels, it now seems obvious doesn't it..
Very Stiff Steering,
Put both in the tyres section...be prepared for a multitude of opinionated comments..