2004 Z4 steering

P

PeterR

Member
I have only had my Z4 for a few weeks and only now getting a chance to give it a good drive. I have the 3 litre with manual transmission and sports package. I love the car but had an odd experience with it yesterday. On several occassions it felt like the steering was pushing against me to the side. For instance, I am steering straight ahead and the steering wheel felt as if it was in control and pushing me to the right - at around 70mph. Definitely not a 'sticky' feeling. Any ideas.

The previous owner recently changed the rear tyres to non run flats. The front tyres are Bridgestone runflats. Might this be something to do with it? I wasn't using the sports button.
 
I would say the mixing of RFT and non could cause this. It's not definite though but should be changed asap anyway.
 
firebobby said:
Can you switch the wheels front to back, then see if it still does it?
Click to expand...

Not really the tyre sizes should be different front - back !

Sounds very like the well documented (on here) "sticky steering" - though getting rid of run flats entirely will help significantly. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks. It didn't feel sticky, which I have read about. There was no notchiness. Depending on the camber of the road would tramlining feel like this? Anyone recommend good non - runflat tyres?
 
Many of used Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas with great reports on dry & wet grip and fairly decent lifespan - at reasonable cost - I know these have since been superseded but there might still have some around.

I think if you're convinced it's not sticky, switching to non run flats all round will do the trick.
 
hi, i have changed my tyres from runflats all round, to eagle f1's all round, 225 fronts, 255 rears, 18" ran and steered alot better,plus suspension not so harsh with softer tyres, and now after srubbing them in for a couple of hundred miles, i have just had a hunter realinement done, and now handles and steers great.. cheers Dave. ps before tyre change and hunter, mine pulled to the kerb, not nice.....
 
As others have said, ditch the RFT's. The ride quality is awful with them, you won't regret it! :)

I may be wrong, but the symptoms you describe do sound like the sticky steering issue to me. It can often feel like the steering wheel is "pushing" against you at times, rather than "sticking".

From what I can tell, it seems that most people suffering with the issue are the ones who only use their Zed on the weekends or cover very little mileage. I swear it has something to do with it just not being used enough, as mine suffered really badly from it when it was a weekend-only car. Now its a daily driver & see's plenty of use, the issue has fixed itself and not shown up for well over a year now! :thumbsup:

As a test, go for a drive and wait for the issue to present itself again. As soon as it does, stick your AC on the footwells to cool the steering column down. Then see if the issue presents itself again..

Thats my two cents and hope its some help/comfort to you! :)
 
It's difficult to differentiate but I had the same symptoms when I first had my Z on a similar tyre set-up which I thought was classic SS. But changing tyres to non-RFT's, a 4 wheel alignment and suspension check (drop links bushes etc), lubricating the 2 steering column Uj's in the engine bay and playing with tyre pressures and it's been rock solid ever since. The tyres alone cured 90% of the issue and I've had no problems for the last 5 years. Covering these points works for most owners although a few can be left with SS.
 
The feeling of being pushed sideways just happened briefly twice on my outbound journey. It was raining heavily. On the trip home it was still raining but the drive was fabulous. I think I shall have to see what happens over the next few trips. It could be that the car wasn't used much so maybe this will clear up with daily use.

In anycase, I don't like the idea of having different tyres on front and back so will change the Runflats on the front to non-runflats and get the 4 wheel alingment done. Another thing I didn't mention - there are new discs on the front but can't imagine that would be the problem.
 
"stick your AC on the footwells to cool the steering column down"

Agree with this technique - it can work - though you would prefer not to be in that position and this should only really manifest itself in really hot temperatures /weather - remember when we used to get a summer ?
 
PeterR said:
The feeling of being pushed sideways just happened briefly twice on my outbound journey. It was raining heavily. On the trip home it was still raining but the drive was fabulous. I think I shall have to see what happens over the next few trips. It could be that the car wasn't used much so maybe this will clear up with daily use.

In anycase, I don't like the idea of having different tyres on front and back so will change the Runflats on the front to non-runflats and get the 4 wheel alingment done. Another thing I didn't mention - there are new discs on the front but can't imagine that would be the problem.
Click to expand...

It's really worth dropping a little gear oil or similar on the two UJ's at the bottom of the steering column accessed and visible from above the driver's side of the engine, one is just out of the firewall and the other just before the steering rack - they are prone to getting hot and are exposed to the elements. It's cured steering prob's for several forum members :thumbsup:
 
It's really worth dropping a little gear oil or similar on the two UJ's at the bottom of the steering column accessed and visible from above the driver's side of the engine, one is just out of the firewall and the other just before the steering rack - they are prone to getting hot and are exposed to the elements. It's cured steering prob's for several forum members :thumbsup:[/quote]

Thansk - I will try that too.
 
Had 4 of these fitted (mines a 2.5) in the last month - £350 all in :)[/quote]

Hi Lance - Where did you get yours fitted?
 
PeterR said:
Had 4 of these fitted (mines a 2.5) in the last month - £350 all in :)
Click to expand...

Hi Lance - Where did you get yours fitted?[/quote]

Amalgamated Tyres in Northampton. They had to order them in, but only took a couple of days.
 
Thanks - I am 'steering' towards the Eagle F1s. Simlar price and reviews. Had a look at my rear tyres which I should have checked before buying the car. Accelera Alpha - very near the bottom of Tryereviews chart and one above the Bridgestone Potenza's runflats that I have on the front! The Accelera tyres are new so will have to think about what to do about them.
 
Thanks for all the help with my steering. Changing the runflats to the Eagle F1s has completely transformed myZ4. It is amazing how different the car handles. The Z4 actually does what I tell it to! I would never have thought how dramatic the improvement would be. Now I have the car I always wanted! It is so great to have a car that I want to take out for the fun of it, for no other reason than to enjoy the drive. Now - decisions, decisions. Should I fit a cruise control?
 
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