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'62 Reg E89 Steering
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Hi all,
New to this forum and I apologise if there is already a thread that covers my query, though I haven't found one yet.
In January this year, I realised a boyhood dream of owning a Z4, purchased from a used car dealership in the midlands.
Everything great with the car, its got very low mileage for its age, is very clean and a lark to drive.
Except the steering loves to pull to the left.
I have taken it to be tracked 3 times now, the first time, the garage did a poor job, so I took it elsewhere to a more trustworthy establishment. The second time, it seemed to go out again rather quickly. The third time, they did free of charge and reassured me they had tested it.
However it became apparent on the drive home that in order to go straight, the steering wheel still needs to be turned slightly to the right (off centre) which is a very irritating problem, especially on long straight roads.
So, either they didn't do anything the third time, or there is another problem at play here, not solved by the wheel alignment correction
The place I bought it from MoT'd it and replaced the two front tyres between me test driving it, and picking it up. I later learned they had put conventional tyres on the front, whilst the rears were still run-flats.
I am reluctant to take it to my local main dealer, BMW Sytner whom I went to before buying mine to see what stock they had. They came across as the most arrogant people I have ever met in my entire life, and I simply wouldn't trust them.
Is this a familiar issue? has anyone solved it before?
Much appreciated
Will
New to this forum and I apologise if there is already a thread that covers my query, though I haven't found one yet.
In January this year, I realised a boyhood dream of owning a Z4, purchased from a used car dealership in the midlands.
Everything great with the car, its got very low mileage for its age, is very clean and a lark to drive.
Except the steering loves to pull to the left.
I have taken it to be tracked 3 times now, the first time, the garage did a poor job, so I took it elsewhere to a more trustworthy establishment. The second time, it seemed to go out again rather quickly. The third time, they did free of charge and reassured me they had tested it.
However it became apparent on the drive home that in order to go straight, the steering wheel still needs to be turned slightly to the right (off centre) which is a very irritating problem, especially on long straight roads.
So, either they didn't do anything the third time, or there is another problem at play here, not solved by the wheel alignment correction
The place I bought it from MoT'd it and replaced the two front tyres between me test driving it, and picking it up. I later learned they had put conventional tyres on the front, whilst the rears were still run-flats.
I am reluctant to take it to my local main dealer, BMW Sytner whom I went to before buying mine to see what stock they had. They came across as the most arrogant people I have ever met in my entire life, and I simply wouldn't trust them.
Is this a familiar issue? has anyone solved it before?
Much appreciated
Will
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Hi Will,
Welcome to the forum. I am no expert on this topic, but there are several threads on here debating the issues that mixing run flats and conventional tyres can cause, that may be your issue. No doubt others will be along shortly with other suggestions but the tyre mix may be at the heart of it.
Pleased to be the first to welcome you. Also the photo police will be along shortly as we like to see photos of new members Zeds
Welcome to the forum. I am no expert on this topic, but there are several threads on here debating the issues that mixing run flats and conventional tyres can cause, that may be your issue. No doubt others will be along shortly with other suggestions but the tyre mix may be at the heart of it.
Pleased to be the first to welcome you. Also the photo police will be along shortly as we like to see photos of new members Zeds
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- Lifer
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Hello and welcome.
Is the car pulling to the left of it it just to hold the car in a straight line the steering wheels is slightly offset from centre?
If the later they may have changed something at the suspension end to align it properly that required the steering wheel to be put back to centre.
Also as covered by Boris, mixing tyres isn’t ideal and the photo police will be along shortly.
Is the car pulling to the left of it it just to hold the car in a straight line the steering wheels is slightly offset from centre?
If the later they may have changed something at the suspension end to align it properly that required the steering wheel to be put back to centre.
Also as covered by Boris, mixing tyres isn’t ideal and the photo police will be along shortly.
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- Chippie
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
might seem an obvious question but have you checked the tyre pressures?
by the way welcome to the forum and lets see a photo or two of your pride and joy
by the way welcome to the forum and lets see a photo or two of your pride and joy
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- Smartbear
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Get your alignment place to centre the steering wheel while they carry out their adjustments.
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- Mr Tidy
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Welcome to the forum Will.
I can't offer any advice but would definitely avoid a main dealer for an issue like that.
If you give an indication of whereabouts you are someone might be able to recommend a good Independent specialist.
I can't offer any advice but would definitely avoid a main dealer for an issue like that.
If you give an indication of whereabouts you are someone might be able to recommend a good Independent specialist.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
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Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Cheers for the replies everyone, its much appreciated! And thank you for your warm welcome to the forum!
Im Nottingham based if anyone else is out there? The in order to drive straight, the steering wheel needs to be turned a few degrees to the right;
When the steering wheel is fully centred by eye, the car drifts to the left.
After getting it tracked the 3rd time, the steering wheel seemed to be further turned to the right in order to go in a straight line.
Does this make sense?
In terms of pictures, here she is!
Im Nottingham based if anyone else is out there? The in order to drive straight, the steering wheel needs to be turned a few degrees to the right;
When the steering wheel is fully centred by eye, the car drifts to the left.
After getting it tracked the 3rd time, the steering wheel seemed to be further turned to the right in order to go in a straight line.
Does this make sense?
In terms of pictures, here she is!
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
I having had alignment done on previous cars, I always thought this was standard practice?
- Smartbear
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
If you ignore the position of the steering wheel, if you let go of the wheel does the car drive straight?
The wheel should be centred when the tracking’s adjusted but it’s not always carried out diligently.
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Beautiful Vehicle!!!WFLYNN wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:07 pm Cheers for the replies everyone, its much appreciated! And thank you for your warm welcome to the forum!
Im Nottingham based if anyone else is out there? C4F6483B-29DE-4CFD-A3B6-ADE6853F2ADE.jpeg
The in order to drive straight, the steering wheel needs to be turned a few degrees to the right;
When the steering wheel is fully centred by eye, the car drifts to the left.
After getting it tracked the 3rd time, the steering wheel seemed to be further turned to the right in order to go in a straight line.
Does this make sense?
In terms of pictures, here she is!
BMWMAN in Heanor, which is right on your doorstep id highly recommend as a local indy. I live in Leicester and I drive down for any work on my car. However, if this is an alignment issue then its best to go to tracking specialist.
I would personally get a second opinion on the tracking/alignment then dependant on that, to take it further with tyres.
Do you have the print outs of the alignment you could share?
If the alignments all good then what's the tyre combo & sizes, have they accidentally put on the wrong tyres, pressures okay?
Get rid of the run-flats and go for NRFs if it still persists then move onto a specialist.
'62 Reg E89 Steering
Steering offset causing the symptoms you have is listed in the technical repair manuals..
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e89- ... t/8IsV8vsP
I can’t find, yet, the specific expanded detail, but the TIS refers to the reset process..
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e89- ... t/8IsV8vsP
I can’t find, yet, the specific expanded detail, but the TIS refers to the reset process..
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Just a thought have they set the tracking with the steering in lock position. It might not be true centre.
I did my own tracking using fishing wire and two parallel bars, never had any problems and virtually no tyre wear in 30k + miles.
Not even the dreaded BMW toe in wear.
Only vehicle i have come across with rear toe in, probably explains why i can't reverse it in a straight line.
I did my own tracking using fishing wire and two parallel bars, never had any problems and virtually no tyre wear in 30k + miles.
Not even the dreaded BMW toe in wear.
Only vehicle i have come across with rear toe in, probably explains why i can't reverse it in a straight line.
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Off the top of my head, I think if I take my hands off the wheel, the car remains relatively straight.
I do trust the garage where I normally take it to. They are a small Nottingham based family chain of garages who have been very helpful in the past. That said, its only the second time I have taken it to that particular branch.
I do have a service booked in with them in the next couple of weeks, so I intend to query it again with them then.
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Thanks dude! I'm really enjoying owning it, especially when the sun is out and the roof can come down!Adil_3 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:39 pmBeautiful Vehicle!!!WFLYNN wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:07 pm Cheers for the replies everyone, its much appreciated! And thank you for your warm welcome to the forum!
Im Nottingham based if anyone else is out there? C4F6483B-29DE-4CFD-A3B6-ADE6853F2ADE.jpeg
The in order to drive straight, the steering wheel needs to be turned a few degrees to the right;
When the steering wheel is fully centred by eye, the car drifts to the left.
After getting it tracked the 3rd time, the steering wheel seemed to be further turned to the right in order to go in a straight line.
Does this make sense?
In terms of pictures, here she is!
BMWMAN in Heanor, which is right on your doorstep id highly recommend as a local indy. I live in Leicester and I drive down for any work on my car. However, if this is an alignment issue then its best to go to tracking specialist.
I would personally get a second opinion on the tracking/alignment then dependant on that, to take it further with tyres.
Do you have the print outs of the alignment you could share?
If the alignments all good then what's the tyre combo & sizes, have they accidentally put on the wrong tyres, pressures okay?
Get rid of the run-flats and go for NRFs if it still persists then move onto a specialist.
I have some printouts, I will dig them out. The second time it was tracked, I believe they got it damn close to nominal
It wouldn't surprise me if they have put on the wrong sized tyres, though, that said, the place I bought it from specialised in BMWs and so should have known their onions! - the owner drove an early 00s Z8, which was just stunning to look at!
Heanor isn't too far for me at all, so Ill give BMWMAN a call, thanks for the advice!
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'62 Reg E89 Steering
Now that is impressive! How did you manage to measure the before and after to get the required precision?flybobbie wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:28 am Just a thought have they set the tracking with the steering in lock position. It might not be true centre.
I did my own tracking using fishing wire and two parallel bars, never had any problems and virtually no tyre wear in 30k + miles.
Not even the dreaded BMW toe in wear.
Only vehicle i have come across with rear toe in, probably explains why i can't reverse it in a straight line.
Tracking 1_zpss42w0phm.jpg