2003 e85 Sticky Steering

[ronironsun]

Hi everyone.

I love my e85, its in good condition, done 91,000 miles and is a lot of fun to drive (when the steering is working properly).

I have researched changing the steering to hydraulic but this has proved to be difficult as you have to get specific parts and no one within 100 miles is willing to do the work.

So I read somewhere (in America I think) that someone took the EPS unit out, opened it, cleaned out the old grease (apparently this is no good in higher temps and gets thick hence sticky steering) and changed with with a better grease that can cope with higher temps.

Is this the solution to finally get rid of this problem or is there a new EPS unit that was fitted to the facelift model or something that finally gets rid of this sticky steering?

I am planning a European road trip this summer and really want this sorted along with a full service, VANOS service and new PS4’s all round.

If anyone on here knows of a garage not too far from West Sussex/Hampshire/Surrey that can do all of the above or can advise about the steering it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[enuff_zed]

Welcome aboard.
May I suggest you do a more detailed search on this forum first.
There is a very simple trick, involving adjusting the spacer ring between the column and the EPS motor to adjust backlash between the gears.
Takes about ten minutes.
[ref]bigwinn[/ref] does these in his sleep.
[ref]chengy[/ref] recently joined up, with no previous experience and has just done his as well.

 

[Chengy]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

 

[Joycey]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

Cheers mate

If anyone else is local in Hampshire they're more than welcome to pop down to the unit and I'll do the adjustment. I take coffee and biscuits as payment

 

[Worcester_spoon]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

Cheers mate

If anyone else is local in Hampshire they're more than welcome to pop down to the unit and I'll do the adjustment. I take coffee and biscuits as payment

Hey Joycey, I’m in Basingstoke and have some clicky steering. Can I bring some biscuits and get you to help me with this?

Stu

 

[Joycey]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

Cheers mate

If anyone else is local in Hampshire they're more than welcome to pop down to the unit and I'll do the adjustment. I take coffee and biscuits as payment

Hey Joycey, I’m in Basingstoke and have some clicky steering. Can I bring some biscuits and get you to help me with this?

Stu

Yes mate no problem at all. Free next saturday ?

 

[ronironsun]

Sorry should have said that I have done the adjustment, probably about 4 times now and it eventually comes back so I want a permanent fix for this.

 

[ronironsun]

Thanks for the replies and offers though.

 

[Joycey]

Sorry should have said that I have done the adjustment, probably about 4 times now and it eventually comes back so I want a permanent fix for this.

I would remove the motor completely, clean off any old grease re apply and re fit.

 

[ronironsun]

Thanks Joycey, have you or do you know anyone who has done this and if it fixed the problem?

 

[inkey$]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

Cheers mate

If anyone else is local in Hampshire they're more than welcome to pop down to the unit and I'll do the adjustment. I take coffee and biscuits as payment

I'm going to have to take you up on this one day, Joycey. Will prep the coffee and biscuit order in readiness :lol:

 

[Joycey]

Thanks [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]

[ref]ronironsun[/ref] well worth doing and it’s not hard at all as enuff_zed said. I may do a quick how to guide if you’re tempted to do it yourself? Might be a couple of weeks as I’ve done my back in so can’t work on the car for a while

Otherwise all the invaluable info on the adjustment is here, originally posted by [ref] Joycey [/ref]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

Chengy

Cheers mate

If anyone else is local in Hampshire they're more than welcome to pop down to the unit and I'll do the adjustment. I take coffee and biscuits as payment

I'm going to have to take you up on this one day, Joycey. Will prep the coffee and biscuit order in readiness :lol:

Throw in some jaffa's and you have a deal

 

[inkey$]

You have yourself a deal