2003 Twitchy Steering

C

CCZ4

New member
I have a 2003 Z4 2.5i - it has done 60k. I have only had the car a month now but I'm not happy with the steering. I have had new tyres fitted (none run flats) and had the tie rod ends replaced. And a garage has done the tracking (although I'm not entirely convinced how well this has been done). The problem is that when there are slight changes in the camber in the road the steering is very twitchy, the steering feels like it is making small corrections which aren't necessary and the tyres feel like they are trying to follow the road. So much so that country roads are hard work, and at motorway speed the problem is very annoying and tiring on the arms on long journeys.

My dad has a 2005 z4 and the steering feels a lot different with no twitch and stuck to the road at motorway speeds.

Has anyone had any similar problems or can anyone suggest something that may be causing the problem which I should have replaced/checked. Thank you in advance for any guidance suggestions you can offer. CC
 
Yes I have the same issue with my 54 2.2. It can be very unnerving at times. Although I'm starting to get used to it (not that I want to)

I haven't got round to having it looked at yet, but having read posts elsewhere on Z forums - I'm thinking it could be worn/wearing front wishbone bushes.

Obviously I can't confirm this, but having done some research they seem a likely culprit.

Maybe someone who's had the problem fixed will be able to shed some light?? I hope....
 
The only alignment setting that could cause what you describe is the caster, but it's not adjustable on most cars. Possibilities are loose bushings, strut plates or front collision causing the struts to tilt.
 
I have a simlr prob,with the car now(just in past 2-3wks) not as sharp i turn in to corners as it has been for past 3yrs/and thinking wishbone suspn bushes too
going to get it looked at v soon tho(will let u know outcome) :)
 
Craig,

I'm also in ayrshire, Irvine. Do you use an indie? if so who, I'm an owner of only three months so learning the ropes right now,

cheers
 
Does anyone know if a KDS 4 wheel alignment, would help with the problem I have described. Thanks
 
Mine was all over the road when I bought it,did a 4 wheel alignment before the runflats were dumped and the car was miles better,the settings were a mile out. A nice new set of Goodyear F1's made it loads better again.It is still a bit twitchy,but it's going to be with a relatively light car with thundering great tyres on,you'll always get it moving a little on our crap bumpy roads.
 
ditto. my 2005, 2.2 had tracking done, then new front bushes, then tracking again, was great for 2wks, then its started again. reckon the 4wheel align will be next, also im ditching the run flats, see if that does the trick. ugh
 
I was hoping if I rummaged back far enough someone would have reported a similar problem! Will be getting alignment done and hope it feels more settled.

Tyres are Continentals SportContact 2 SSR
 
On the A roads this is just feed back but you could also have this prob

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13838&p=259179&hilit=sticky+steering#p259179

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7972&p=122902&hilit=sticky+steering#p122902
 
Just had a quick read and I don't think its such a serious issue, more twitchy on shitty patches of road. The nearest i've driven to this kind of car is a MK3 MR2 Roadster.

I will bear it in mind though and blummin hope its not! :cry:
 
Just bought a 2003 with 20k miles on it, I'm having the same issue with the steering. However it seems to come and go feels like flat spots on the tires, but the tires are new.


The BMW dealer has no idea what it is. I'm living with it but in close quarters it sometimes gets scary.
 
Think you want this : http://opc.meyle.com/opc/productDetails/show?productKey=0144_316+050+0000%2FHD&paging=true
Know of some Z4's that have them fitted and they seem to perform better than OEM.
One of the advantages is that the bushes are already mounted on the wishbones so you can even swap them yourself.
 
Just found this!
Sounds like BMW may not be the ultimate driving machine!
Some one else may have already posted this but it seems that this should be a reason for a safety recall.

Below is a bulletin from BMW on it:


4515500-02 Subject Increasing steering forces at high outside temperatures
Release date (dd/mm/yy) 05/05/06

If the vehicle has been in the sun for a long time, increased force is required to turn the steering wheel. There are no problems at lower temperatures or after parking in the shade. The problem generally occurs at speeds over 30 km/h.
Cause If the EPS components heat up, this may cause increased friction in some cases.
Measure Service measure:
In the event of a customer complaint, it is necessary to replace the EPS steering column. Modified steering columns
have been available since week 17/18 2006

Note:
Please make sure that the problem is exactly the same as the problem described, otherwise replacing the steering column will not provide a solution.

Important:
When fitting the EPS steering column, make sure you read "Locking the steering column with a special tool" in the Repair Instructions RA32 31 090
 
jm13169 said:
Just found this!
Sounds like BMW may not be the ultimate driving machine!
Some one else may have already posted this but it seems that this should be a reason for a safety recall.

Below is a bulletin from BMW on it:


4515500-02 Subject Increasing steering forces at high outside temperatures
Release date (dd/mm/yy) 05/05/06

If the vehicle has been in the sun for a long time, increased force is required to turn the steering wheel. There are no problems at lower temperatures or after parking in the shade. The problem generally occurs at speeds over 30 km/h.
Cause If the EPS components heat up, this may cause increased friction in some cases.
Measure Service measure:
In the event of a customer complaint, it is necessary to replace the EPS steering column. Modified steering columns
have been available since week 17/18 2006

Note:
Please make sure that the problem is exactly the same as the problem described, otherwise replacing the steering column will not provide a solution.

Important:
When fitting the EPS steering column, make sure you read "Locking the steering column with a special tool" in the Repair Instructions RA32 31 090
Click to expand...

JM - this is a well known and documented issue and has been covered and discussed many times on the forum. It's more commonly called 'sticky steering' It's very different to the issue in this thread.

Just making this observation to avoid confusion by mixing different issues.
 
jm13169 said:
Thanks for clearing it up - I guess I did not realize that the Z4 had so many steering issues.

Joe M
Click to expand...

If there is one area I'd really ctiticise the Zed is the front end suspension. Between tramlining, run flat tyres and thier 'crashing', twitchiness and sticky steering it's a someone unstable and poor aspect of it. That probably what comes of lifting the suspension of another model and grafting it on :thumbsdown:
 
I have exactly the same problem with my Z4 3.0i 2004. I talked with my dealer and as usual they told me that this is new for them.
Anyone recommends waht to say or do?
I bought the car used 1 month ago.
 
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