Sticky steering problem. Time to sort it! Help and advice.

[Phil-E30]

Hi guys, so I have spent the last week or so reading through various sticky steering threads on this forum and others. After a thoroughly enjoyable, roof down drive at the weekend was tarnished by the awful steering, it is time to address the issue properly.

In my reading I have seen a vast number of possible causes and solutions. What I was hoping was that some of you guys could list your experiences and fixes on here, so that we compile a recent list of this issue. So far I have ditched my run flat tyres and greased the UJs in the engine bay, neither of which have solved my problem.

A lot of people mention hot air blowing in to the foot wells as something that brings about the symptoms, this doesn't happen with me. However, the issue is most definitely related to heat and prolonged use. The most obvious cause of the issue with my car is being driven for any decent period of time, an hour plus of driving will bring about the symptoms. It's the classic notchy steering, seemingly unwilling to move back in to place or out of a straight line without persuasion, persuasion it shouldn't need.

So, if you would share your experience, symptoms, fix (if applicable) and rough cost would be awesome guys. Thought this could prove a useful resource and maybe worth keeping pinned somewhere?

[Gerry]

Some heavy reading , this may help you out http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/Sea ... ids=898770

[nick&sandra]

.

[Adamski]

Greasing the UJ worked for me....


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[nfarmer]

Greasing the UJ worked for me....

+1^^^^^

[Roadster1]

Are u sure its not the control bushes mine were fecked I thought it was sticky steering the car is transformed try rocking your front wheels back and forward there should be bearly any movement mine felt like you could pull the wheel off and it had passed a mot 3 months before with barely any mileage done after that I reckon its why it had a few owners in such quick succession , need to replace run flats but other than that it feels 100% bettter I could not drive with 1 hand on the wheel to change a cd it was so unpredictable , good luck if it is these they are 60 quid plus fitting , cheaper than a steering fix !
Cheers rog

[Roadster1]

Are u sure its not the control bushes mine were fecked I thought it was sticky steering the car is transformed try rocking your front wheels back and forward there should be bearly any movement mine felt like you could pull the wheel off and it had passed a mot 3 months before with barely any mileage done after that I reckon its why it had a few owners in such quick succession , need to replace run flats but other than that it feels 100% bettter I could not drive with 1 hand on the wheel to change a cd it was so unpredictable , good luck if it is these they are 60 quid plus fitting , cheaper than a steering fix !
Cheers rog

[Machine monkey]

I am doing mine and my ARB on Friday for this reason. My ARB bushes are oval!!

Fingers crossed it gets it sorted!!

[Phil-E30]

Cheers for the responses guys, some interesting stuff.

Greasing the UJs has unfortunately not sorted the issue for me, I really hoped it would! I have also changed the wheels and now have non RFTs and although they are infinitely better than the old RFTs, it hasn't sorted my sticky steering.

I will definitely look in to the control bushes, hadn't thought of that.

As for the Servo Control motor unit, I am assuming this can be bought as a separate part from the whole steering rack? If so, how big a job is it to change it and what sort of money is involved?

Appreciate all the help chaps!

[Machine monkey]

I will let you know how I get on Friday. My steering has similar symptoms. I have had an old car with hydraulic power steering and had a similar problem. Turned out o be a rotten sub frame so fingers crossed.

[Adamski]

Phil-E30, I think you need the whole steering rack if the issue persists.... Stuart Truman and Markeg both had the column replaced on their Alpinas, which have the same rack

EDIT - worth adding that jaxz4 had a part of his steering column replaced by an indy for c.£300 IIRC.... problem solved

[Phil-E30]

Think the same to be honest Adamski. The only confusion is, I see some people say new steering column and others saying steering rack. Which is it? Or both?!

[Stuart Truman]

The steering column is a single part from BMW. A decent technician could probably separate the parts if you could prove what was wrong with yours.

There are three schools of thought:

1) Steering column UJ's. Some have gained temporary relief by lubricating these. Genuine good luck on this being your problem as it's easily done yourself and cheap

2) Inner bearings in the column. Means dismantling the column with the associated labour charges etc and it's going to be investigative work, no guarantee of a fix

3) Steering Column electronics overheating. Seems to be the favourite. The problem is heat related in almost all instances and the replacement columns have a reworked electronics unit.

I'd be interested to hear if replacing bushes etc helps.

[Phil-E30]

Number 3 seems to be the one that jumps out a me Stuart. Heat definitely plays a part in my case as the symptoms only arise once the car has been driven for an hour or more. No sign whatsoever of it on short journeys.

[Gerry]

my issue with "3" is, can heat expand electronics ? what effect has heat on electronics ? It is an issue with heat. With my zed around 21 degrees centigrade which we do not have to often up here .I feel its mechanical, heat making something bigger, making it bind,,,,,the truth is no one knows what causes it . If the bmw techs know they are keeping it to themselves . bcworkz what do you think ? . Bmw have made a report blaming the worm gear http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/ja ... 42020P.pdf .