E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Ben f · Post by **Ben f** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:32 pm

Hi, my 2003 3litre suffers from this, absolutely fine until I get to 60mph then a bit of vibration and the steering feels very light and wobbly bit of a nightmare on the motorway etc, go past 80mph and it settles down but can't drive at 80-90 all the time! Thinking this adjustment could really benefit me but not confident to do it myself, I'm in Ashby Leicestershire if the offer of some help still stands I'd gladly come to Leicester Peter? Many thanks ben.

MACK · Post by **MACK** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:10 pm

Ben f wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:32 pm Hi, my 2003 3litre suffers from this, absolutely fine until I get to 60mph then a bit of vibration and the steering feels very light and wobbly bit of a nightmare on the motorway etc, go past 80mph and it settles down but can't drive at 80-90 all the time! Thinking this adjustment could really benefit me but not confident to do it myself, I'm in Ashby Leicestershire if the offer of some help still stands I'd gladly come to Leicester Peter? Many thanks ben.

This sounds more like a wheel balancing issue. I'd get them checked before doing anything else

Ben f · Post by **Ben f** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:13 pm

Maybe, but issues always been there and had wheels refurbished a few months ago and I'm sure they were balanced then(full refurb tyres off etc) but maybe get ready balanced, would be nice if it is that simple

Ebeneezer · Post by **Ebeneezer** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:17 pm

Hi Ben, I'm fairly sure you have the issue Lee is talking about mate. I get it very slightly on mine too. Not bad enough for me to be bothered ............ yet.

Tony.

Ben f · Post by **Ben f** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:46 am

Is that you t-tony?

PeteWard · Post by **PeteWard** » Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:34 pm

Ben f wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:32 pm Hi, my 2003 3litre suffers from this, absolutely fine until I get to 60mph then a bit of vibration and the steering feels very light and wobbly bit of a nightmare on the motorway etc, go past 80mph and it settles down but can't drive at 80-90 all the time! Thinking this adjustment could really benefit me but not confident to do it myself, I'm in Ashby Leicestershire if the offer of some help still stands I'd gladly come to Leicester Peter? Many thanks ben.

Hi, Ben. I've decided to sell my car. It's weird - there's a couple of roads that I regularly drive down where it gets a bit twitchy, whenever I'm driving in other counties, it's fine. I've driven through Nottingham and Derby recently, it was very smooth! A little sensitive, but that's the nature of the car's set up. I think we have really crap roads round my way.

Anyhow, I'd be happy to help you. Can you message me on here?

Ben f · Post by **Ben f** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:25 pm

Got front wheels balanced and that has sorted out the vibration, steering is still a bit floaty but doesn't feel as bad, I'm gonna drive it over the summer and see how it is, definitely think it will need a tweak at some stage

Ala5dair · Post by **Ala5dair** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:02 pm

I’m running a 2004 E85 and I experienced this sticky steering issue, whilst running P-Zero RFT’s. Last week I changed to non RFT P-Zero (as 255/35 Michelin Sports are rather than rocking horse poo), with full alignment adjustment, and found an immediate improvement. However, after 90 mins on the M42/A42/M1 this morning, the sticky steering returned. It seemed to be more prevalent when on a continuous slight right turn.
Is it likely to be this issue?

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:07 pm

Ala5dair it tends to grip the column whenever you stop turning it, so in most instances it manifests itself when turning the wheel away from the dead-ahead position. But yes, if you're in a constant radius corner it'll have the same effect.

Ala5dair · Post by **Ala5dair** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:52 pm

[quote=wonkydonkey post_id=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1638672">1638672</a>">1638672</a> time=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1554671248">1554671248</a>">1554671248</a> user_id=27984]
Ala5dair it tends to grip the column whenever you stop turning it, so in most instances it manifests itself when turning the wheel away from the dead-ahead position. But yes, if you're in a constant radius corner it'll have the same effect.
[/quote]

Thanks, very much, James.
I’m going to have a look at whether I can do the adjustments myself, and lube the UJ’s while I’m at it....

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 1:44 am

Ala5dair let us know how you get on. Also, from a diagnostic standpoint, don't forget that this problem is affected by temperature. Running the air con on cold blowing hard at your feet for 5-10 mins or so can reduce the effect of sticky steering. Conversely, blowing hot for 5-10 mins can make it worse. Perhaps try these to see if they affect the stiction you experience. If so, the adjustment should be the solution.

steve_newlands · Post by **steve_newlands** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:13 pm

Guys, This is my first post and a new Z4 owner.
I thought I'd done my research before buying our new summer soft-top but missed the 'Sticky Steering Issue'.
When driving my 2006 Z4 the 3hrs home, you could feel the steering becoming increasingly stickier and became really hard work to stay in one piece on Irish back roads.
I've been reading all the posts with interest in this subject, could someone answer me a couple of newbie questions?:-
- As well as adjusting the eccentric ring on the steering column, is it worth also drilling a grease nipple to help lubricate the worm gear?
- In Ireland we don't have the same heat levels as in US etc (on the drive home the outside temp was only 9degreesC, I had the heaters on but not overly hot) - is there any UK/ Ireland members also experiencing this issue?

Any advice is warmly welcomed - I'll hopefully have a go at this over the weekend.

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:28 pm

steve_newlands welcome to the forum and to Z4 ownership. I'm sorry to hear you're suffering from sticky steering, but if it is indeed caused by the eccentric ring position (the most common cause), you should be able to sort it without too much bother by following the instructions in this thread.

To answer your questions:

1. Drilling and greasing made no difference for me, and isn't something I would advise or recommend.

2. A tight column can make itself known without it being a particularly hot day, although as ambient temps increase, so will the tightness in the steering.

MACK · Post by **MACK** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:44 pm

This is definetly a big issue in colder climates such as the UK. Fortunately the ring adjustment although a bit fiddly to access seems to the trick for most folks. The added benefit for European cars is there is no knee airbag to contend with

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