Steering 2004 E85. Adjustment

M

Mercmancdi

Member
 Templepatrick
My z4 is excellent in every way except I find the steering feel a we bit stiff when driving ie touch left to right or right to left. It’s not serious and actually wondered is it just the car as I only drive now and then so getting out of a modern ev is it my imagination,
But heard there is 2 crews behind steering wheel coul if slacked there’s a ring you can’t turn to just / is this true or nonsense.
Thanks.
If True any tips welcome.
 
Absolutely true

And is the solution to the eponymous sticky steering

Once loosened you can move the slip ring that sits between the motor and the column either sharpening or loosening the steering feel
 
Yes, get yourself an 8mm spanner (preferably a ratchet spanner). You just need to remove the kick panel from above the foot pedals. It's just 3 screws, I believe, that are along the bottom of the dash below the steering wheel. The steering wheel cowl can stay on.

Once the kick panel is off, get a torch and look up towards the steering column. You will see the steering motor (big silver thing), and on the end of it you will be able to see one of the bolts you need to loosen. It is a splined-type bolt, but an 8mm socket fits perfectly. The other bolt is directly opposite it on the motor, hard to see, but easy to get to when you know where it is.

Loosen both, then tap the collar part around slightly. It's fairly self-explanatory once you are in there. Mark the existing position first with a Sharpie in case you need to go back to it. If I remember correctly, you tap the bottom of it to the left of the car to loosen it, or to the right of the car to tighten. Make small adjustments, less than a cm at a time; tighten, then test drive. Keep adjusting until it feels just right.

I did mine again recently, as I had a rattle, which was from the gear lash being too loose. At first I did it too tight, so I ended up with sticky steering, but after several adjustments, it was perfect. Little movements make a big difference!
 
GreySquirrel said:
Yes, get yourself an 8mm spanner (preferably a ratchet spanner). You just need to remove the kick panel from above the foot pedals. It's just 3 screws, I believe, that are along the bottom of the dash below the steering wheel. The steering wheel cowl can stay on.

Once the kick panel is off, get a torch and look up towards the steering column. You will see the steering motor (big silver thing), and on the end of it you will be able to see one of the bolts you need to loosen. It is a splined-type bolt, but an 8mm socket fits perfectly. The other bolt is directly opposite it on the motor, hard to see, but easy to get to when you know where it is.

Loosen both, then tap the collar part around slightly. It's fairly self-explanatory once you are in there. Mark the existing position first with a Sharpie in case you need to go back to it. If I remember correctly, you tap the bottom of it to the left of the car to loosen it, or to the right of the car to tighten. Make small adjustments, less than a cm at a time; tighten, then test drive. Keep adjusting until it feels just right.

I did mine again recently, as I had a rattle, which was from the gear lash being too loose. At first I did it too tight, so I ended up with sticky steering, but after several adjustments, it was perfect. Little movements make a big difference!
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Thanks very clear instructions.
 
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