07 e86 coupe sport wriggling steering above 60mph

I

iksander

Member
Hello

I get a strange fidgety wriggling from my steering above 60. If I take my hands off the wheel it doesn't veer but you can see it twitching even on a smooth motorway surface. Front lollipop bushes, 2 new front tyres and alignment to OEM spec (some improvement) have been done, what should I look at next? I understand from TIS https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/...heel-alignment/32-31-steering-column/FA4qjk9W that the sticky steering issue doesn't/ shouldn't affect facelift cars - is that correct? RTABs?

thanks
 
Although not as severe as sticky steering, I think the EPS can still affect the steering a bit on facelift cars and make it twitch a little.
It baffled everyone for years - people changing almost everything from bushes to suspension parts and tyres with limited luck - until a year or two ago when a few threads came on here about some kind of adjustment that can be made to a collet type thing on the steering column accessed from the driver footwell.
Worth looking for those threads and trying that first before forking out for replacement bits as it's practically free to sort. I believe all that is needed is a spanner wielding midget with miniscule hands.
 
Yes, it's been discussed before - here is a link:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78549

I hope you get it sorted. :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
Yes, it's been discussed before - here is a link:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78549

I hope you get it sorted. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it still affected facelift cars. I have bought a 8mm flexible ratchet spanner which I understand is the tool for the job so I will steel myself for some contortions in the footwell and have a go.
 
iksander said:
Did you fit runflats?
Click to expand...

No, regular PS4s. Plan to get some for the rears too when they finally become available
Click to expand...

So what have you got on the back? Is there any correalation time wise for when this started with when you put the fronts on?
 
Some Falken Azenis FK510 non runflats on the rear. It was happening before I put the fronts on which were previously mismatched
 
When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine :thumbsup:
 
I have the same problem as OP on my coupe.
Tried fiddling with EPS eccentric ring and it improved the situation a bit, but didnt cure it.
Alignmnet also helped a bit but i still feel unsafe driving at speed. In my experiene, lowering the tyre pressure makes the situation a bit better, around 2.3bar front (225/40/18) and 2.5 rears (255/35/18).
If i ever do find a solution, i will make sure to post it on this forum.
 
Hi. Please update when you have made adjustments.
My E86 does this, doesn't cause any instability but 'feels wrong' and very noticeable when you are just off centre in the steering at speed. It feels more like a slight stick/release with small movements than anything alignment or balance (I am fussy about both and have had them sorted).
I am actually used to it now but would rather that it didn't happen so am interested in whether you can resolve this.
 
basil the dog said:
When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
40 psi all round?

That’s way too high mate.

You should run no more than 32 front, 34 rear (cold).

@iksander - doubt it’s your RTABs, if they were shot the rear end would be darting about, which doesn’t sound like what you’ve described.

It sounds like it could be something like a track rod end, but again seems guesswork. Best bet would be to take it back where you had your alignment and explain to them your issue and see if they can rectify it for you.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
Mr.President said:
I have the same problem as OP on my coupe.
Tried fiddling with EPS eccentric ring and it improved the situation a bit, but didnt cure it.
Alignmnet also helped a bit but i still feel unsafe driving at speed. In my experiene, lowering the tyre pressure makes the situation a bit better, around 2.3bar front (225/40/18) and 2.5 rears (255/35/18).
If i ever do find a solution, i will make sure to post it on this forum.
Click to expand...

Is yours a facelift? I'm hesitant to fiddle with my EPS because as far as I can tell (from TIS) eccentric ring adjustment is only applicable to pre 2006 cards
 
Thanks for the reply. I am running 32 PSI front 34 rear. The place that did alignment were hopeless (incorrectly told me that rear camber was not adjustable) so I wont bother with them again. Still trying to find a clued up alignment place in Newbury


R60BBA said:
basil the dog said:
When I got mine i put new tyres on the rear straight away and I had the same issue so put the same make on the front and put 40psi all round and it solved it, Two years later still fine :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
40 psi all round?

That’s way too high mate.

You should run no more than 32 front, 34 rear (cold).

@iksander - doubt it’s your RTABs, if they were shot the rear end would be darting about, which doesn’t sound like what you’ve described.

It sounds like it could be something like a track rod end, but again seems guesswork. Best bet would be to take it back where you had your alignment and explain to them your issue and see if they can rectify it for you.

Good luck :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
 
Wigsters said:
Hi. Please update when you have made adjustments.
My E86 does this, doesn't cause any instability but 'feels wrong' and very noticeable when you are just off centre in the steering at speed. It feels more like a slight stick/release with small movements than anything alignment or balance (I am fussy about both and have had them sorted).
I am actually used to it now but would rather that it didn't happen so am interested in whether you can resolve this.
Click to expand...
This certainly sounds like sticky steering. Click the link in my sig below to read a bit more about it. If you're near Somerset I can check it out and make the adjustment if needed.
 
iksander said:
Mr.President said:
I have the same problem as OP on my coupe.
Tried fiddling with EPS eccentric ring and it improved the situation a bit, but didnt cure it.
Alignmnet also helped a bit but i still feel unsafe driving at speed. In my experiene, lowering the tyre pressure makes the situation a bit better, around 2.3bar front (225/40/18) and 2.5 rears (255/35/18).
If i ever do find a solution, i will make sure to post it on this forum.
Click to expand...

Is yours a facelift? I'm hesitant to fiddle with my EPS because as far as I can tell (from TIS) eccentric ring adjustment is only applicable to pre 2006 cards
Click to expand...

Its a 2007 coupe, so it must be a facelift.
As i wrote earlier, this didnt solve my problem so i would search for a solution elsewhere.
 
Mr.President said:
As i wrote earlier, this didnt solve my problem so i would search for a solution elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Where are you based? I have the experience of adjusting five or six EPS rings to get rid of sticky/loose steering now, and would be willing to make sure yours is okay.
 
wonkydonkey said:
Mr.President said:
As i wrote earlier, this didnt solve my problem so i would search for a solution elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Where are you based? I have the experience of adjusting five or six EPS rings to get rid of sticky/loose steering now, and would be willing to make sure yours is okay.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the proposition.
Im located in Zagreb, Croatia. If i was closer to UK i would gladly take you up on that offer.
 
[ref]Mr.President[/ref] Croatia is quite a long drive, hey? I don't think anyone has driven to me from more than 50 miles away for a steering adjustment yet - you could be the first! :driving:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom