E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

[ref]FunkyGBrown[/ref] I haven't messed with one for a few years now, but I don't think I remember having to free any of them off. Aren't there some flats that could be given a gentle persuasive tap with a small hammer and a suitable tool?
 
wonkydonkey said:
[ref]FunkyGBrown[/ref] I haven't messed with one for a few years now, but I don't think I remember having to free any of them off. Aren't there some flats that could be given a gentle persuasive tap with a small hammer and a suitable tool?
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Used a hammer and a flathead for some gentle persuasion and that seems to have done to trick. Moved it about 10mm clockwise and the steering feels 10x better, excellent!

Leaving the trim off for a few days just so I can check the 2 bolts are tight enough. So far so good!
 
FunkyGBrown said:
wonkydonkey said:
[ref]FunkyGBrown[/ref] I haven't messed with one for a few years now, but I don't think I remember having to free any of them off. Aren't there some flats that could be given a gentle persuasive tap with a small hammer and a suitable tool?
Click to expand...

Used a hammer and a flathead for some gentle persuasion and that seems to have done to trick. Moved it about 10mm clockwise and the steering feels 10x better, excellent!

Leaving the trim off for a few days just so I can check the 2 bolts are tight enough. So far so good!
Click to expand...
Always win with a bit of percussive adjustment. :thumbsup:
 
thecremeegg said:
Does anyone know if a facelift steering column fits in a pre-facelift? I assume it will but good to check!
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Realoem suggests it's the same part number yes.
If you discover differently let me know as I have a pre-facelift assembly here.
 
thecremeegg said:
Thanks! I did hear the facelift ones were meant to have been changed internally but that could well be hearsay!
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If you can find out let me know, as I'm away from Sunday pm and not back until next Friday.
Does this mean you're not going hydraulic now then?
 
Yea, I accumulated some of the parts, but getting anyone round my way to do it is impossible, plus I think that I may well sell the car on this year so didn't really see the point of the investment in the end. Anyone need a purple tag steering rack? :rofl:
 
Good morning all.
So I picked up a 2003 3.0i yesterday and noticed that on longer stretches of road (motorways) the steering wheel feels like it is stuck in place - either when going straight or on a long slight curve - and it sort of unsticks when turning the wheel to correct the steering. It doesn't return to the centre as you'd expect, and feels notchy, so you don't get smooth turns. I haven't heard any other rattles, creaks or knocks.

From what I have read on this thread, this seems to be the classic 'sticky steering', in which case I guess first port of call is to try the fix recommended in this thread?

Thanks!
 
poortomsacold said:
Good morning all.
So I picked up a 2003 3.0i yesterday and noticed that on longer stretches of road (motorways) the steering wheel feels like it is stuck in place - either when going straight or on a long slight curve - and it sort of unsticks when turning the wheel to correct the steering. It doesn't return to the centre as you'd expect, and feels notchy, so you don't get smooth turns. I haven't heard any other rattles, creaks or knocks.

From what I have read on this thread, this seems to be the classic 'sticky steering', in which case I guess first port of call is to try the fix recommended in this thread?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yep, that sounds like classic sticky steering.
 
Great, thanks for the swift response - really appreciate it. I'll call my local independent BMW specialist here in Gloucester to see if they can sort it as I am not sure I trust myself with the task of tinkering with it.
 
[ref]poortomsacold[/ref] If you don't have any joy, by all means drop me a message. I'm only down in Somerset and have had a few owners bring their cars to me to dial out the sticky steering for them.
 
That's really kind of you, thanks so much. If they cannot help, or want to charge me for a new column, etc., I might well take you up on that offer!

Has this fix largely proven to be a permanent one?
 
[ref]poortomsacold[/ref] The temperature shift from winter to summer can effect sticky steering (steering goes tighter in summer, looser in winter), but once i had adjusted mine, it was fine year-round.
 
poortomsacold said:
That's really kind of you, thanks so much. If they cannot help, or want to charge me for a new column, etc., I might well take you up on that offer!

Has this fix largely proven to be a permanent one?
Click to expand...

When I originally wrote this thread my coupe was on 97k in 2017, some 5 years later now on 155k and 40+ track days I've never had to touch it since. I've also adjusted god knows how many other z4's with the same outcome. I believe the electric steering to be brilliant but must be setup and maintained correctly.
 
Thanks for this old thread, hope it helps.

From the US. Picked up a 2003 3.0i (6 speed) this past week, 96k miles. Car is in a great cosmetic shape.

Sticky steering though. Didn't notice first couple days but then it sat in the sun while at work. Drive home was very sticky in the 12 o clock on the "motorway" home.

Removed trim yesterday and will have look.

Edit: tried with what I have, wasn't enough. Looks like a stubby Allen wrench and something for leverage. There's so much obstruction!

Would be easier to have the torx style.
 
Older thread, but so so useful, i got myself an 2004 2.5 with just 11000 miles on it, the steering felt bad, ive just done this ring adjustment, wow, well worth doing, great info on this thread
 
Well this morning I finally braved this task but sadly without success - the torx bolt by the spring is stuck fast and sadly the thread has given way slightly so I don’t think I now have a way of undoing it. Have tried an 8mm ratchet spanner and normal 8mm spanner with star head. As soon as I get some pressure on it the spanner now slips up and off. So I think that the only way of me getting this job done would be to remove the whole unit so I can get the dodgy bolt off which all seems a bit of a disappointment sadly.
 
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