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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Kamuela said:
Excellent write up.

I did this about a year ago. For US market cars, you have to remove the knee airbag, which complicates it a bit, adds some time. Also, they're socket heads, not torx, in the US, so a longish 6 mm allen wrench is the thing to use. Figure on an hour, maybe less, allowing for plenty of time for the airbag capacitor to discharge. If you experiment like I did, you an always leave the airbag off and reset the light later. You guys in the UK have an easier time of this.
The German web site where this is explored in tedious detail seems to indicate that the adjustment is pretty tolerant, once you've gotten it out of a binding condition, which was my experience too. Some of those guys are a few years into this repair, without any recurring problems, so I'd say it's permanent.
I did try the drill-and-grease "fix" first. Waste of time. might have made it a tiny bit smoother, but if I had it to do all over, I wouldn't.
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Just for info: UK cars don't have knee airbags and they are fitted with Torx bolts, to avoid any confusion.
 
Just had a go at this but can't see how to get a ratchet and socket on the torx bolts, doesn't appear to be enough space, any tips?
Uk rhd car
Cheers
 
JimBob78 said:
Just had a go at this but can't see how to get a ratchet and socket on the torx bolts, doesn't appear to be enough space, any tips?
Uk rhd car
Cheers
Click to expand...

After much trial and error I found a torx spanner had just enough movement to slacken and tighten. It would depend on the angle though I guess. DLV said a 8mm flex head ratchet spanner worked for him - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=101022&p=1478381&hilit=5mm#p1478381
 
Sorry, I don't remember - I bought these : https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/4-PC-Professional-Female-Star-Torx-Spanner-Set/1743399533?_trksid=p2047675.m4097.l9055
 
I manged to get an 8mm spanner on the nuts and link a second spanner to the open end to get leverage to undo. My neighbor who is a mechanic thinks the worm gear adjusts steering lash which can increase over time as wear increases. I've tightened mine by 10mm. I was getting vaguesness at speed and a knocking sensation so will see if this improves any.

Thanks OP for finding the time to do the leg work, if it cures my issues, I'm going to name my first born after you!
 
Another forum member popped in over the weekend and I did the same thing for him, he could instantly feel the difference just moving the car around the car park.
 
Hey guys, can anyone confirm what Torx socket is required? Is it E10 or E11?

Although it seems a few guys have had success with using an 8 mm spanner.

Would one of https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Combination-Spanners-Metric-Whitworth-AF-ratchet-flex-head-flexi-swivel-set-mm/400823836477?hash=item5d52f65f3d:m:mGyFelH9CM3pLSKomLMBEWA these work?
 
I think the spanner is easier, couldn't get a socket on the bolt head.

Happy to report this has fixed my steering twitchiness and the rattle sensation over rough patches, so much nicer to drive, completely planted and feels solid like a new car, well chuffed!
 
Joycey said:
I'm pretty sure its an E11 dunks.
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JimBob78 said:
I think the spanner is easier, couldn't get a socket on the bolt head.

Happy to report this has fixed my steering twitchiness and the rattle sensation over rough patches, so much nicer to drive, completely planted and feels solid like a new car, well chuffed!
Click to expand...

Cheers guys :)

From looking at the images on the first post, are these the bolts I need to loosen? Circled in red.

LfdJhU5.jpg

Then is it a case of using a screw driver or something similarly slender to apply some torque to rotate the ring?
 
dunks said:
Joycey said:
I'm pretty sure its an E11 dunks.
Click to expand...

JimBob78 said:
I think the spanner is easier, couldn't get a socket on the bolt head.

Happy to report this has fixed my steering twitchiness and the rattle sensation over rough patches, so much nicer to drive, completely planted and feels solid like a new car, well chuffed!
Click to expand...

Cheers guys :)

From looking at the images on the first post, are these the bolts I need to loosen? Circled in red.

LfdJhU5.jpg

Then is it a case of using a screw driver or something similarly slender to apply some torque to rotate the ring?
Click to expand...

That's the one, and yeah just need to poke something in to get a bit of leverage. Perhaps worth scoring the ring and housing first so you can see how far you've moved it, seems that a few mm is usually enough.
 
Cheers guys. What panel do I have to remove in the footwell? I'm guessing it's fairly obvious! What type of fasteners does it have?
 
dunks said:
Cheers guys. What panel do I have to remove in the footwell? I'm guessing it's fairly obvious! What type of fasteners does it have?
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It's pretty obvious the panel that comes off, it's the big one from the steering column cowling down to the pedals and its held on with a few Phillips screws. Easy job to remove.
 
Thanks :)

Ordered this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282547-Flexible-Ratchet-Spanner/dp/B000NBYLWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516099270 and this https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Adhesive-lubricant-HHS-2000-ADHGRSE-HHS2000-500ML/0893106.sku/en/GB/GBP/ .

Hopefully the last of any sticky steering!
 
dunks said:
Thanks :)

Ordered this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282547-Flexible-Ratchet-Spanner/dp/B000NBYLWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516099270 and this https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Adhesive-lubricant-HHS-2000-ADHGRSE-HHS2000-500ML/0893106.sku/en/GB/GBP/ .

Hopefully the last of any sticky steering!
Click to expand...

That spanner isn't the right one for the bolts, just so you're aware. You'll need an E-Torx bit for them, not sure what size though as I have a big set of them.
 
Yeah, I think it's an E11 torx head. Someone (might have been a couple of people!) said that they had good success with an 8 mm swivel head ratchet, I guess it must fit over the E11 fine.
 
You'll also need to adjust to column to its lowest position so you can get to the front bolt. All will become clear when you stick your head under.
 
Ordered an extra long E11 spanner just in case, although if I don't need it I'm not sure what other uses I'll have for it :D

Yeah, I figured that'd be the case Joycey, tried to find photos showing me in detail what to do but I guess it's tricky to show properly so will just have to put my head under and see :)
 
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