Some of the guys on the German site were in the 15-20 mm range. My sticking was severe, I end up at 14-15 mm. 5 did nothing much except give me hope. It's a pretty flat curve, so I doubt a few mm one way or another makes much difference. I wonder; has anybody gone obviously way too far, and with what result? I would imagine a lot of extra play would manifest as erratic assist, or maybe a clunky response as the worm catches up to the spur. Certainly not looseness, since there is still a direct connection between the wheel and the rack.
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
- Thread starter Joycey
- Start date
ionofchios
Member
I’ve mucked around a lot with mine and did not find a setting where it stopped working basically as it should, no matter how far you adjust it. The worm gear does not become disengaged, or anything like that. On mine, it seemed that going a few mm at a time did not do anything noticeable, but if you wind it way over, then back it off again to about where you started, plus a few mm, it did something. May just be my experience, though, and it may also be to do with how far out the whole thing is in the first place.
jamesymurray
New member
I guess it will be a case of trial and error. Luckily it is quite straighforward to adjust once you know how to get to it.
I have managed to eliminate the horrible stickiness at any given position, but just have that slight stickiness just off dead straight.
I have managed to eliminate the horrible stickiness at any given position, but just have that slight stickiness just off dead straight.
jamesymurray
New member
I get the wooden spoon for dunce of the year. Was adjusting he wrong way originally.
Anyway, once I realised my CW from ACW it’s cured it all. Cheers everyone.
Anyway, once I realised my CW from ACW it’s cured it all. Cheers everyone.
Wrighty z4
New member
This thread is seriously encouraging. I picked up my first Z4 today, looking forward to the hot and sunny drive home with the roof down...and felt the sticky steering as soon as I pulled away from the seller's house 
The drive home was almost scary and really spoilt what should've been a fantastic day.
I am already unrealistically pinning all of my hopes on this excellent thread. Those of you who have contributed here are the reason the internet is good! I'll be sure to post back with my findings as soon as I rip it all apart with glee
Edit: I had to do quite a bit of digging to find what must be one of THE most valuable (especially considering the £2,500 column replacement) threads on this forum. Does this qualify for being pinned to the top?
The drive home was almost scary and really spoilt what should've been a fantastic day.I am already unrealistically pinning all of my hopes on this excellent thread. Those of you who have contributed here are the reason the internet is good! I'll be sure to post back with my findings as soon as I rip it all apart with glee
Edit: I had to do quite a bit of digging to find what must be one of THE most valuable (especially considering the £2,500 column replacement) threads on this forum. Does this qualify for being pinned to the top?
Hi All,
I picked up a Z4 a month or so back and have noticed that it has 'sticky steering'. The steering also makes a sleight waling noise when doing a full lock to the right.
Before attempting to to adjust the ring I am thinking to put some grease as the old owner had the car sitting around for a few years. Is there any guidance on where to put grease/ what sort of grease to use?
Regards
I picked up a Z4 a month or so back and have noticed that it has 'sticky steering'. The steering also makes a sleight waling noise when doing a full lock to the right.
Before attempting to to adjust the ring I am thinking to put some grease as the old owner had the car sitting around for a few years. Is there any guidance on where to put grease/ what sort of grease to use?
Regards
Got home from work tonight and got straight to work on the car. Access was far better than I had imagined. All you have to do is push your seat right back, adjust the steering wheel towards the driver as far as possible and as low as possible and an 8 mm ringkey spanner drops onto the two star drive clamping bolts.
I made a 5 mm adjustment but couldn't feel a big difference. I then made a second 5 mm adjustment and the sticky steering was pretty much gone! I nudged it 2-3 mm more when I got home again and will leave it there. What a massive relief to have been gifted a solution that doesn't involve a £2,500 column replacement. Thanks a bunch guys
Now I need to fix the wheel alignment issues I can feel through my improved steering!
I'm based in Somerset and would be happy to help anyone nearby who isn't sure how to tackle this issue.
I made a 5 mm adjustment but couldn't feel a big difference. I then made a second 5 mm adjustment and the sticky steering was pretty much gone! I nudged it 2-3 mm more when I got home again and will leave it there. What a massive relief to have been gifted a solution that doesn't involve a £2,500 column replacement. Thanks a bunch guys
Now I need to fix the wheel alignment issues I can feel through my improved steering! I'm based in Somerset and would be happy to help anyone nearby who isn't sure how to tackle this issue.
I am pleased to report another success story.
After waiting for the correct torque spanner (E11) to arrive via flebay, i managed to loosen off the bolts (to prevent too much bolt head rounding) then used an 8mm extended, double jointed socket on one of the bolts to loosen off fully. I then moved the unit approx 5-6mm ACW, re-tightened and there was a noticeable difference. The sticky issue appears to have gone.
Took it out for a 30min blast (allowing the car to warm up fully) and felt my confidence levels increase in the steering. It may require a bit more fettling but it feels significantly better so i'll leave 'as is' for now.
Thanks for all the advice and effort which has gone into this post.
After waiting for the correct torque spanner (E11) to arrive via flebay, i managed to loosen off the bolts (to prevent too much bolt head rounding) then used an 8mm extended, double jointed socket on one of the bolts to loosen off fully. I then moved the unit approx 5-6mm ACW, re-tightened and there was a noticeable difference. The sticky issue appears to have gone.
Took it out for a 30min blast (allowing the car to warm up fully) and felt my confidence levels increase in the steering. It may require a bit more fettling but it feels significantly better so i'll leave 'as is' for now.
Thanks for all the advice and effort which has gone into this post.
Fantastic news. I think a few of us are left feeling "I should've adjusted it a bit further" but once the initial grabbing has been dialled out, any further improvements are merely a bonus. Very happy for you!BB16 STU said:
Did the torque sensor connector repair on an E85 today, took about 2 hours but worked a treat.
Mike
Mike
Remove the under dash and I removed the lower steering wheel cowl too. Push your seat back as far as poss. I use a small 8mm socket and ratchet to undo the torx bolts
I also removed the 2 bolts that hol the steering column on, nearest the front torx bolt (nearest the driver) this I found gave me more room to get onto the torx bolt.
Also release the tension arm under the steering column and lower the steering wheel down.
Once you release the 2 torx bolts, you need to turn the ring, mark the ring and the column body before you do this, I used a marker pen. When laying on your back, you need to move the ring clockwise to make the steering lighter. Did mine yesterday and the car feels much more connected.
I also removed the 2 bolts that hol the steering column on, nearest the front torx bolt (nearest the driver) this I found gave me more room to get onto the torx bolt.
Also release the tension arm under the steering column and lower the steering wheel down.
Once you release the 2 torx bolts, you need to turn the ring, mark the ring and the column body before you do this, I used a marker pen. When laying on your back, you need to move the ring clockwise to make the steering lighter. Did mine yesterday and the car feels much more connected.
Personally, all I removed was the one trim panel held on with three Philips head screws. This is the panel that slots into the bulkhead soundproofing/carpet down at the pedals. I didn't touch any bolts apart from loosening the two Torx bolts.
wonkydonkey said:
After much bending and flexing i've got it done. The bolt at the front is pretty easy to get to with an 8mm socket and small extension. The one at the back is a little b*stard and requires being on your back in the footwell in crab formation. I found that a previous owner has already done this as pencil marks showed it had been moved about 5mm. I did another 7mm. The ring was tight so i had to use a screwdriver and hammer to tap it CW. Has made a really positive difference straight away. The steering feels nice and positive now but a little floaty at higher speeds. Not sure if i should tighten a bit more or leave it. What do you guys think?
