E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

[enzed4]

Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment

 

[Leesfarm07]

If you want to come upto Wrexham I will show/do it for you .Just make sure it's no raining.

Maxman that's a fab offer which I would love to take up thank you...let me know when would suit you best and I'll blow the cobwebs off the old girl

 

[enzed4]

Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment

I removed the steering cowl and had a look around. Looks like there's no equivalent adjustment ring for the E89 (at least as far as I can tell).

 

[firebobby]

Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment

I removed the steering cowl and had a look around. Looks like there's no equivalent adjustment ring for the E89 (at least as far as I can tell).

It's bad when you think BMW has known about the E85 steering issues and allows the same thing to happen on the E89. I wonder if we will be hearing about the problem on the new Z4 in a few years :|

 

[MACK]

Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment

This does definitely sound like there is "play" in something (something is worn excessively) rather than the sticky or light steering E85/6 folks experience. Honestly I think you'll achieve nothing under the cowling. IIRC the motor/control unit on E89's is in the same place its in on later EPS equipped BMW's, mounted on the actual rack itself in the engine bay.
I'd be looking again under the bonnet/engine bay area rather than in the car. Get them to check the rack itself with both the car running and switched off. Also id check the rack to column joint etc. A knocking shocker is a possibility but I wouldn't have expected the vibration on cornering if it was that. Check the front top mounts etc. In fact I guess check everything again maybe at a different garage. This sounds like a classic case of the hard part in fixing something on a car is knowing what it is in the first place. Good luck with it!

 

[Anonymous]

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[firebobby]

Glad you got it sorted, yes it makes such a difference to the steering.
Well done for offering help to others

 

[Anonymous]

Glad you got it sorted, yes it makes such a difference to the steering.
Well done for offering help to others

Thanks. The steering now feels much better. It's never going to be super smooth, but that goes with the territory.

Not a problem. It's not very often that I'm useful to anyone, so I do what I can...

 

[ULTRAVOX]

So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?

 

[enzed4]

Anyone know if this fix might be applicable to E89's? The symptoms are very similar to what I'm experiencing (go back to the original description of 'knocking' rather than light or heavy steering/stickiness). I've changed the 17" RFT's to 18" non-RFT, had wheel alignment done, and had garage check all the bushes etc (twice now). All that seems left is suspension (Bilsteins) or possibly the fix in this thread.
I get vibration in the steering wheel when going around roundabouts and clunking/knocking when driving slowly on smooth roads or coming to a stop/starting from a stop.
Happy to give this solution a try if the E89 has the same ring adjustment

This does definitely sound like there is "play" in something (something is worn excessively) rather than the sticky or light steering E85/6 folks experience. Honestly I think you'll achieve nothing under the cowling. IIRC the motor/control unit on E89's is in the same place its in on later EPS equipped BMW's, mounted on the actual rack itself in the engine bay.
I'd be looking again under the bonnet/engine bay area rather than in the car. Get them to check the rack itself with both the car running and switched off. Also id check the rack to column joint etc. A knocking shocker is a possibility but I wouldn't have expected the vibration on cornering if it was that. Check the front top mounts etc. In fact I guess check everything again maybe at a different garage. This sounds like a classic case of the hard part in fixing something on a car is knowing what it is in the first place. Good luck with it!

Thanks for the tips. It does look like it's been traced to the front shocks (the shafts and seals are worn/damaged) but I won't know 100% until they're rebuilt and back on the car.

 

[Tony Thompson]

Absolutely fantastic post that's undoubtedly saved £££.
Recommend a good quality e11spanner. And be prepared to be upside down with your head in the footwell

Good luck

 

[synthedup]

So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?

Where are you based? Anyone near Sheffield who would like this doing I’m happy to.

 

[ULTRAVOX]

I'm in Evesham (or Cov) most of the time but don't mind the drive. This issue is starting to really annoy me. (Along with all the idiots that keep ringing about the sale of my 3 series!). :headbang:
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?

 

[synthedup]

I'm in Evesham (or Cov) most of the time but don't mind the drive. This issue is starting to really annoy me. (Along with all the idiots that keep ringing about the sale of my 3 series!). :headbang:
Has anyone got a price on how much bmw charge for this?
Surely this should have been a "recall" job?

Shame you're not closer! yours about 3 hours from me.

 

[Tony Thompson]

This is pretty straight forward fix. Trust me, if I managed it anyone can.

 

[Anonymous]

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[Joycey]

So glad I joined this forum!!..I also have the "twitchiness" on the steering. I thought initially it was wheel alignment.So took it to BMW for it to be checked but wasn't out by much.
I would really appreciate some help with this PeteWard. If the offer is still open?

Hi. Having driven the car more, I was maybe a bit hasty regarding the 'repair'. Yes, it's better, but the twitch feeling has only been dampened. I made another adjustment, but have got to the point where the steering is starting to feel too heavy. After all, this hasn't fixed the issue... now thinking of selling the car, fed up with it!

Sorry to hear that, have you replace any of the other steering components ?

 

[Anonymous]

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[Joycey]

Hi. Having driven the car more, I was maybe a bit hasty regarding the 'repair'. Yes, it's better, but the twitch feeling has only been dampened. I made another adjustment, but have got to the point where the steering is starting to feel too heavy. After all, this hasn't fixed the issue... now thinking of selling the car, fed up with it!

Sorry to hear that, have you replace any of the other steering components ?

I think you might feel a slight improvement from making the adjustment, but I can't seem to completely dial out the twitching. Eventually, it just gets really annoying again!

The only thing I changed is the tyres, ditched the runflats and put Eagle F1's on. It's had a Hunter KDS alignment at Sytner in Leicester. They checked the steering/suspension components and told me nothing needed replacing. It's only done 42,000. They mentioned a very slight buckle on the front nearside rim. Maybe that's the issue, but at £800 per rim, it would be an expensive stab in the dark. Maybe it's the tyres, I've read that the Z4 is very 'tyre sensitive'. Again, expensive to experiment with. I might just trade it in against a newer model.

I've had issues with buckled wheels myself. The Z4 is the most sensitive car I've come across for its steering feel.

I paid a local alloy place to straighten my wheel, cost me £75.

Or if you have a square wheel setup try the rears on the front, or see if you can find another pair of front wheels to try.

 

[Anonymous]

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