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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Fri Feb 01, 2019 2:51 pm

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Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Joycey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:02 am

PeteWard wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 2:51 pm
ULTRAVOX wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:25 pm So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?
Hi. Having driven the car more, I was maybe a bit hasty regarding the 'repair'. Yes, it's better, but the twitch feeling has only been dampened. I made another adjustment, but have got to the point where the steering is starting to feel too heavy. After all, this hasn't fixed the issue... now thinking of selling the car, fed up with it!
Sorry to hear that, have you replace any of the other steering components ?
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PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sun Feb 03, 2019 11:38 am

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Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Joycey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by Joycey » Sun Feb 03, 2019 12:55 pm

PeteWard wrote: Sun Feb 03, 2019 11:38 am
Joycey wrote: Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:02 am
PeteWard wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 2:51 pm Hi. Having driven the car more, I was maybe a bit hasty regarding the 'repair'. Yes, it's better, but the twitch feeling has only been dampened. I made another adjustment, but have got to the point where the steering is starting to feel too heavy. After all, this hasn't fixed the issue... now thinking of selling the car, fed up with it!
Sorry to hear that, have you replace any of the other steering components ?
I think you might feel a slight improvement from making the adjustment, but I can't seem to completely dial out the twitching. Eventually, it just gets really annoying again!

The only thing I changed is the tyres, ditched the runflats and put Eagle F1's on. It's had a Hunter KDS alignment at Sytner in Leicester. They checked the steering/suspension components and told me nothing needed replacing. It's only done 42,000. They mentioned a very slight buckle on the front nearside rim. Maybe that's the issue, but at £800 per rim, it would be an expensive stab in the dark. Maybe it's the tyres, I've read that the Z4 is very 'tyre sensitive'. Again, expensive to experiment with. I might just trade it in against a newer model.
I've had issues with buckled wheels myself. The Z4 is the most sensitive car I've come across for its steering feel.

I paid a local alloy place to straighten my wheel, cost me £75.

Or if you have a square wheel setup try the rears on the front, or see if you can find another pair of front wheels to try.
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PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sun Feb 03, 2019 3:26 pm

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Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Fri Feb 08, 2019 7:52 pm

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Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

rooha
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by rooha » Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:01 pm

Just as an FYI for anyone is interested i tried this today with the halfords star / torx spanner (E12 i think i used) and no joy - you really need a flexible headed ratchet spanner to get at these. so a wasted hour or two for me I'm afraid. Currently looking on ebay / amazon if anyone wants to fire a link for something known to do the job. :x

PeteWard

E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by PeteWard » Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:11 pm

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Last edited by PeteWard on Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

rooha
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by rooha » Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:43 pm

PeteWard wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:11 pm
rooha wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:01 pm Just as an FYI for anyone is interested i tried this today with the halfords star / torx spanner (E12 i think i used) and no joy - you really need a flexible headed ratchet spanner to get at these. so a wasted hour or two for me I'm afraid. Currently looking on ebay / amazon if anyone wants to fire a link for something known to do the job. :x
This did the job for me


Look at this on eBay
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3420748741

I used the ratchet end on the front bolt and the normal end on the bolt nearest the steering wheel (the ratchet housing was to bulky the get onto the back bolt).
hmm - not available in 8mm currently. i was looking at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PFC08-8mm-Ex ... 3520949781 but suspect it might be too bulky

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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by bladeowner » Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:08 pm

2004 Sapphire Black 2.5 SE Z4 SMG

rooha
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by rooha » Sat Feb 09, 2019 7:00 pm

bladeowner wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:08 pm How about this one from Amazon?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Hi-Torq ... A419158031
bladeowner wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:08 pm How about this one from Amazon?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Hi-Torq ... A419158031
that might be a winner .. I'll purchase and might even report back :o I'll leave it until tomorrow to pull the trigger and see if anyone pops up with a better suggestion :lol:

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wonkydonkey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by wonkydonkey » Sat Feb 09, 2019 7:14 pm

rooha wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:01 pmyou really need a flexible headed ratchet spanner to get at these.
I've done a few cars now and have never needed anything but a straight spanner. Are you adjusting the steering wheel as required by releasing the reach/rake adjust lever on the column? If you don't, access will be almost impossible.
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

rooha
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by rooha » Sat Feb 09, 2019 8:22 pm

wonkydonkey wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 7:14 pm
rooha wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:01 pmyou really need a flexible headed ratchet spanner to get at these.
I've done a few cars now and have never needed anything but a straight spanner. Are you adjusting the steering wheel as required by releasing the reach/rake adjust lever on the column? If you don't, access will be almost impossible.
wonkydonkey wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 7:14 pm
rooha wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:01 pmyou really need a flexible headed ratchet spanner to get at these.
I've done a few cars now and have never needed anything but a straight spanner. Are you adjusting the steering wheel as required by releasing the reach/rake adjust lever on the column? If you don't, access will be almost impossible.
yup dropping and pulling it - guess with the star / torx i just cant get the leverage required to crack it as i can just get the spanner on. i think i wasnt very clear in my inital post - i can just about get the star head on the bolt itself but without the ratcheting action i just have nowhere to go with trying to loosen it off ( hope that makes sense). i think a combination of longer spanner and ratcheting action will do the trick

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wonkydonkey
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by wonkydonkey » Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:07 pm

rooha wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 8:22 pm i think a combination of longer spanner and ratcheting action will do the trick
I hope you crack it soon :)
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

rooha
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E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Post by rooha » Mon Feb 11, 2019 7:53 pm

bladeowner wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:08 pm How about this one from Amazon?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Hi-Torq ... A419158031
sigh - order cancelled by seller ! :headbang:

might wait until sunday and pop to aldi for these ...

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-5-piece ... 7259708700
Last edited by rooha on Mon Feb 11, 2019 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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