E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:26 am

Good morning all.
So I picked up a 2003 3.0i yesterday and noticed that on longer stretches of road (motorways) the steering wheel feels like it is stuck in place - either when going straight or on a long slight curve - and it sort of unsticks when turning the wheel to correct the steering. It doesn't return to the centre as you'd expect, and feels notchy, so you don't get smooth turns. I haven't heard any other rattles, creaks or knocks.

From what I have read on this thread, this seems to be the classic 'sticky steering', in which case I guess first port of call is to try the fix recommended in this thread?

Thanks!

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:52 am

poortomsacold wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:26 am Good morning all.
So I picked up a 2003 3.0i yesterday and noticed that on longer stretches of road (motorways) the steering wheel feels like it is stuck in place - either when going straight or on a long slight curve - and it sort of unsticks when turning the wheel to correct the steering. It doesn't return to the centre as you'd expect, and feels notchy, so you don't get smooth turns. I haven't heard any other rattles, creaks or knocks.

From what I have read on this thread, this seems to be the classic 'sticky steering', in which case I guess first port of call is to try the fix recommended in this thread?

Thanks!

Yep, that sounds like classic sticky steering.

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:57 am

Great, thanks for the swift response - really appreciate it. I'll call my local independent BMW specialist here in Gloucester to see if they can sort it as I am not sure I trust myself with the task of tinkering with it.

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:00 am

poortomsacold If you don't have any joy, by all means drop me a message. I'm only down in Somerset and have had a few owners bring their cars to me to dial out the sticky steering for them.

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:02 am

That's really kind of you, thanks so much. If they cannot help, or want to charge me for a new column, etc., I might well take you up on that offer!

Has this fix largely proven to be a permanent one?

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:19 am

poortomsacold The temperature shift from winter to summer can effect sticky steering (steering goes tighter in summer, looser in winter), but once i had adjusted mine, it was fine year-round.

Joycey · Post by **Joycey** » Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:01 pm

poortomsacold wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:02 am That's really kind of you, thanks so much. If they cannot help, or want to charge me for a new column, etc., I might well take you up on that offer!

Has this fix largely proven to be a permanent one?

When I originally wrote this thread my coupe was on 97k in 2017, some 5 years later now on 155k and 40+ track days I've never had to touch it since. I've also adjusted god knows how many other z4's with the same outcome. I believe the electric steering to be brilliant but must be setup and maintained correctly.

Messageman · Post by **Messageman** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 4:09 pm

Thanks for this old thread, hope it helps.

From the US. Picked up a 2003 3.0i (6 speed) this past week, 96k miles. Car is in a great cosmetic shape.

Sticky steering though. Didn't notice first couple days but then it sat in the sun while at work. Drive home was very sticky in the 12 o clock on the "motorway" home.

Removed trim yesterday and will have look.

Edit: tried with what I have, wasn't enough. Looks like a stubby Allen wrench and something for leverage. There's so much obstruction!

Would be easier to have the torx style.

madleemark · Post by **madleemark** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 3:48 pm

Older thread, but so so useful, i got myself an 2004 2.5 with just 11000 miles on it, the steering felt bad, ive just done this ring adjustment, wow, well worth doing, great info on this thread

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Sun Feb 19, 2023 12:28 pm

Well this morning I finally braved this task but sadly without success - the torx bolt by the spring is stuck fast and sadly the thread has given way slightly so I don’t think I now have a way of undoing it. Have tried an 8mm ratchet spanner and normal 8mm spanner with star head. As soon as I get some pressure on it the spanner now slips up and off. So I think that the only way of me getting this job done would be to remove the whole unit so I can get the dodgy bolt off which all seems a bit of a disappointment sadly.

FunkyGBrown · Post by **FunkyGBrown** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 12:45 am

poortomsacold wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 12:28 pm Well this morning I finally braved this task but sadly without success - the torx bolt by the spring is stuck fast and sadly the thread has given way slightly so I don’t think I now have a way of undoing it. Have tried an 8mm ratchet spanner and normal 8mm spanner with star head. As soon as I get some pressure on it the spanner now slips up and off. So I think that the only way of me getting this job done would be to remove the whole unit so I can get the dodgy bolt off which all seems a bit of a disappointment sadly.

I had this issue, it didn't seem to budge to the point where I nearly gave up. I had to make sure the ratchet was securely on, and apply a decent amount of pressure while trying to keep good contact with the nut.
I used this: https://amzn.eu/d/2YDqpTR and it was the perfect size.

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 12:31 pm

Many thanks FunkyGBrown, glad to know I’m not the only one to run into this problem! The car is now at the garage. If the mechanic can get the bolt loosened I’ll certainly get one of those spanners in view of your recommendation.

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 1:57 pm

If it's particularly tight, it would be best to use the correct tool, which is the E-torx/star spanner. I forget what size it is now, but hopefully that's what your mechanic will be using

I don't understand how "the thread has given way slightly", but I hope the garage sorts it all out for you

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:31 pm

wonkydonkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2023 1:57 pm If it's particularly tight, it would be best to use the correct tool, which is the E-torx/star spanner. I forget what size it is now, but hopefully that's what your mechanic will be using I don't understand how "the thread has given way slightly", but I hope the garage sorts it all out for you

Thanks. Sorry, I didn’t make the problem terribly clear - the head of the bolt was losing its shape a little so didn’t want to risk trying anymore in case I rounded it off entirely, making it impossible to remove. Fingers crossed the mechanic can sort it (he has a list of issues to work through!).

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 11:55 am

poortomsacold Gotcha. It might be a good idea to order a new bolt to replace the damaged one

I hope it goes well!

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