E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
- Thread starter Joycey
- Start date
[ref]Barty[/ref] I've commented a few times in this thread to advise people to make these adjustments with the front wheels off the ground. It allows you to feel for stiction or free play while moving the eccentric ring to different positions. This makes it easier to fine tune the setting, and minimises the chance of needing to adjust the ring again after the test drive. This method means that I can generally dial out sticky steering with one single adjustment, put the car back on the ground, and then confirm that all is well with a single test drive.
Indeed this would be an ideal solution, however we were unable to do so as they had another Z4 on the ramp for other work, and the second one was occupied by an M5 with its V10 MIA 
So we had to make do.
We've done 5 runs in total, dialing in the adjustment over each one. We're 95% there and I'm happy as can be with the current result, but I feel there's a little more to be had still. At that point we'd been at it for a while and we figured we'd take a step back and think on how we'd get that last step completed. We'll continue when they've got more time and a ramp available and get it set up "just so".
So we had to make do.We've done 5 runs in total, dialing in the adjustment over each one. We're 95% there and I'm happy as can be with the current result, but I feel there's a little more to be had still. At that point we'd been at it for a while and we figured we'd take a step back and think on how we'd get that last step completed. We'll continue when they've got more time and a ramp available and get it set up "just so".
[ref]Barty[/ref] It only takes 5 minutes to jack up and support the car using a trolley jack and axle stands, so there is always that option if ramps aren't available. It's also worth bearing in mind that the E85/86 electric powering steering system isn't perfect, so you might find that there isn't a 100% perfect setting for all temperatures. It sounds as though you're almost where you want to be though 
wonkydonkey said:[ref]Barty[/ref] It only takes 5 minutes to jack up and support the car using a trolley jack and axle stands, so there is always that option if ramps aren't available. It's also worth bearing in mind that the E85/86 electric powering steering system isn't perfect, so you might find that there isn't a 100% perfect setting for all temperatures. It sounds as though you're almost where you want to be though
Fair point. It was one of those "ah while I'm here"-type jobs. Happy to have tackled it, and I informed them of your recommendation to have the car off the ground. The mechanic was genuinely interested in your methods and the results posted in this thread. Up to this point he only worked on pre-facelift cars with sticky steering, but has now added this to his list of jobs. We'll take it onto a ramp next time and experiment some more, as my car is also being used for him to learn more about this issue. Win-win then :wink:
Ultimately, it's great that everyone here has discovered this solution and is saved from having a refurb done at great expense. Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the shared knowledge in this thread; it has proven invaluable!
[ref]Barty[/ref] It's always good when people pool information like this, saving some forum members thousands of pounds on fixes like this. There is still some hope for the internet yet!
marmite monster
Member
I now have this problem.
Had perfect steering last week. Car has been sat for about a week went to drive it today and it feels a total mess.
- Wandering sensation above 70 kph;
- Input from the road surface translates into minute actions from the steering motor;
- A slight sensation of free play when dead straight.
-Steering motor fells like its glitching out .
Are we saying the fix is adjusting the steering ring thing as described in this excellent thread ? Seems odd that its happened to my car essentially over night. Would out of balance wheels cause the steering to spaz out also ?
cheers
Had perfect steering last week. Car has been sat for about a week went to drive it today and it feels a total mess.
- Wandering sensation above 70 kph;
- Input from the road surface translates into minute actions from the steering motor;
- A slight sensation of free play when dead straight.
-Steering motor fells like its glitching out .
Are we saying the fix is adjusting the steering ring thing as described in this excellent thread ? Seems odd that its happened to my car essentially over night. Would out of balance wheels cause the steering to spaz out also ?
cheers
[ref]marmite monster[/ref] The temperature has dropped markedly between this week and last week. This could have been just enough to introduce some free play (which you can hopefully take care of with a small adjustment, as per Joyce's reply above).
marmite monster
Member
Amazing thanks chaps.
Yeah had the first 2 frosts of the year while it was sat last week. Nothing more exciting than a frozen bird bath on the rear hatch
Yeah had the first 2 frosts of the year while it was sat last week. Nothing more exciting than a frozen bird bath on the rear hatch
Hi all, new to the forum but have owned my E86 for nearly 10 years now (and very happily). Recently however I’ve got a horrible wailing noise from the steering when going very slow, full lock to the right, picked up this thread but not too much here about the noise, just sticky steering which I don’t have! Any ideas or solutions much appreciated
Thanks, difficult to say if it’s a Viking ships horn! but I think you’re spot on and thanks for the link to your comprehensive post. To be honest there’s a really good specialist near me so I’ll likely take the zed there as it’s got quite “rattly” as well, local garage found nothing. I’ll take the post(s) about steering adjustment and lubrication and hope they can sort it. Thanks again.
firebobby said:
Thanks for the heads up, I do use the car every day. This sound has really developed over a long time. Initially every now and then on full lock right when parking, then more frequently and then full lock either side! It still doesn’t happen all the time but I’m contemplating selling (reluctantly) so want it sorting. Will post when I know the fix is done.
Quick update on the “Viking horn steering” and rattling issue I’ve had, well it’s completely disappeared! Nothings been done to the car apart from a few longer drives (but really not very long) and the incessant rattling also disappeared too. No idea if they are linked or why it’s stopped but it has. Got an mot coming up in Feb so going to go to specialist and get them to have a good look at the same time. Thanks for all the help, I’ll let them know the advice from here so they have something to go at! Cheers
After long experimentation with different tools to loosen the adjustment ring, I finally found a working setup and just wanted to share it.
This is specifically for cars which have the adjustment ring attached with allen bolts. For torx bolt cars the procedure is apparently simpler, using a spanner seems to be the best option.
Anyway, see the attached picture for my setup. It’s like this: 1/4” ratchet -> 150 mm extension -> joint -> 50 mm extension -> 6 mm allen bolt.
Looking from footwell up, your feet pointing towards rear of the car, the tool goes in from the left side of the steering column. This gives you more direct access to the bolt, at least I had major difficulty fitting any tools in from the right side of the column (could not do it).
Cheers!
This is specifically for cars which have the adjustment ring attached with allen bolts. For torx bolt cars the procedure is apparently simpler, using a spanner seems to be the best option.
Anyway, see the attached picture for my setup. It’s like this: 1/4” ratchet -> 150 mm extension -> joint -> 50 mm extension -> 6 mm allen bolt.
Looking from footwell up, your feet pointing towards rear of the car, the tool goes in from the left side of the steering column. This gives you more direct access to the bolt, at least I had major difficulty fitting any tools in from the right side of the column (could not do it).
Cheers!
Attleborough, Norfolk
Welcome to the forum!perttu said:
Thank you for this help.
I recently changed the EPS motor and was fortunate to have the torx head bolts, which an 8mm ratchet ring spanner fits well.
Not sure it would have been so easy with allen key bolts? Especially fitting the bolts back in again. I was able to hold them in the ring spanner and push them in with a screwdriver blade.
Which leads me to wonder whether it would be worth picking up a pair of the torx versions and fitting them instead if I ever did another one and found it had the allen key version?
Thanks for having me
Based on my limited experience, there is so little space up there, that if you have to do anything more complex than loosening the bolts, rotating the ring and then tightening the bolts again, it's probably easier to remove the whole steering column from the car. Then again, maybe some magician with right tools and small hands could it
.