hah - I read and re-read this thread bunch of times to clarify things in my mind. The when was happy i knew what i was doing copied those words onto a txt file and left it open on my desktop for about 10 days until i got around to the job. because i cant seem to remember instructions for more than five minutes these days. i blame going to university in the Madchester days for that. :dizzy:wonkydonkey said:[ref]rooha[/ref] those are my words you've quoted above. I originally followed the directions that were written when viewing the column from the opposite side, when the whole assembly was removed from the car. I contacted the OP and he swapped the wording in line with the text of mine that you quoted on this page
E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)
- Thread starter Joycey
- Start date
Littlerascle
Member
Ok, so I have been completing a few maintenance items and have found that despite what my build sheet says (original owner - actually my dad's hand me down that's been sitting in a garage for several years) the car has some obvious euro parts despite being a US spec car. (Radio, cam sensor, convertible hinges and motor, to name a few)
So, anyone have a left hand drive that can guide me with this. I have lost track of the RH / LH drive CW vs ACW, facing the car vs underneath and upside down, variance in this thread. I've been wanting to do this fix for some time. I have started a few times but every time I start I realize the photos don't seem similar to what I'm looking at.
2003 3.0i 59,000mi
[ref]Littlerascle[/ref] I'd recommend raising the front wheels off the ground for this task. Before you begin, mark the adjustor ring and adjacent motor housing so you can always return things to your start point. Loosen off the two pinch bolts, and you can now turn the adjustor ring by hand. Turn the steering wheel left and right to get a feel for the resistance in the column, then rotate the adjustor ring either way, noting the change in the steering feel each time. Rotating the ring a long way in one direction will make the steering tighten up, rotating it the other way will introduce some free play (particularly noticeable if you "jiggle" the steering wheel from left to right).
This is the process I go through to set the adjustor ring. Once I'm happy, I tighten the pinch bolts and then feel the steering again afterwards (the weight of the steering can change a little with the tightening of the pinch bolts). When everything feels good, drop it down and take it for a test drive. If you're satisfied, re-fit the plastic trim panel and give yourself a pat on the back
This is the process I go through to set the adjustor ring. Once I'm happy, I tighten the pinch bolts and then feel the steering again afterwards (the weight of the steering can change a little with the tightening of the pinch bolts). When everything feels good, drop it down and take it for a test drive. If you're satisfied, re-fit the plastic trim panel and give yourself a pat on the back
Littlerascle
Member
Ok...so I think I got the correct"sight picture" and the correct bolts (maybe). So here is the next question....the 'disc' the needs to be rotated is parallel to the car itself. It runs front to rear (engine to bonnet) so should it rotate towards the engine or towards the bonnet (trunk)? Which direction is considered CW?
[ref]Littlerascle[/ref] if you follow the procedure I typed out above, you will find that out for yourself and there will be no doubt. Trust If you mark the current position before you begin adjusting, you have nothing to fear because you can put everything back to where it was if needed.
If you mark the current position before you begin adjusting, you have nothing to fear because you can put everything back to where it was if needed.
A
Anonymous
Guest
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Hi, my 2003 3litre suffers from this, absolutely fine until I get to 60mph then a bit of vibration and the steering feels very light and wobbly bit of a nightmare on the motorway etc, go past 80mph and it settles down but can't drive at 80-90 all the time! Thinking this adjustment could really benefit me but not confident to do it myself, I'm in Ashby Leicestershire if the offer of some help still stands I'd gladly come to Leicester Peter? Many thanks ben.
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Anonymous
Guest
Ben f said:
Hi, Ben. I've decided to sell my car. It's weird - there's a couple of roads that I regularly drive down where it gets a bit twitchy, whenever I'm driving in other counties, it's fine. I've driven through Nottingham and Derby recently, it was very smooth! A little sensitive, but that's the nature of the car's set up. I think we have really crap roads round my way.
Anyhow, I'd be happy to help you. Can you message me on here?
I’m running a 2004 E85 and I experienced this sticky steering issue, whilst running P-Zero RFT’s. Last week I changed to non RFT P-Zero (as 255/35 Michelin Sports are rather than rocking horse poo), with full alignment adjustment, and found an immediate improvement. However, after 90 mins on the M42/A42/M1 this morning, the sticky steering returned. It seemed to be more prevalent when on a continuous slight right turn.
Is it likely to be this issue?
Is it likely to be this issue?
[ref]Ala5dair[/ref] it tends to grip the column whenever you stop turning it, so in most instances it manifests itself when turning the wheel away from the dead-ahead position. But yes, if you're in a constant radius corner it'll have the same effect.
[ref]Ala5dair[/ref] let us know how you get on. Also, from a diagnostic standpoint, don't forget that this problem is affected by temperature. Running the air con on cold blowing hard at your feet for 5-10 mins or so can reduce the effect of sticky steering. Conversely, blowing hot for 5-10 mins can make it worse. Perhaps try these to see if they affect the stiction you experience. If so, the adjustment should be the solution.
steve_newlands
Member
Guys, This is my first post and a new Z4 owner.
I thought I'd done my research before buying our new summer soft-top but missed the 'Sticky Steering Issue'.
When driving my 2006 Z4 the 3hrs home, you could feel the steering becoming increasingly stickier and became really hard work to stay in one piece on Irish back roads.
I've been reading all the posts with interest in this subject, could someone answer me a couple of newbie questions?:-
- As well as adjusting the eccentric ring on the steering column, is it worth also drilling a grease nipple to help lubricate the worm gear?
- In Ireland we don't have the same heat levels as in US etc (on the drive home the outside temp was only 9degreesC, I had the heaters on but not overly hot) - is there any UK/ Ireland members also experiencing this issue?
Any advice is warmly welcomed - I'll hopefully have a go at this over the weekend.
I thought I'd done my research before buying our new summer soft-top but missed the 'Sticky Steering Issue'.
When driving my 2006 Z4 the 3hrs home, you could feel the steering becoming increasingly stickier and became really hard work to stay in one piece on Irish back roads.
I've been reading all the posts with interest in this subject, could someone answer me a couple of newbie questions?:-
- As well as adjusting the eccentric ring on the steering column, is it worth also drilling a grease nipple to help lubricate the worm gear?
- In Ireland we don't have the same heat levels as in US etc (on the drive home the outside temp was only 9degreesC, I had the heaters on but not overly hot) - is there any UK/ Ireland members also experiencing this issue?
Any advice is warmly welcomed - I'll hopefully have a go at this over the weekend.
[ref]steve_newlands[/ref] welcome to the forum and to Z4 ownership. I'm sorry to hear you're suffering from sticky steering, but if it is indeed caused by the eccentric ring position (the most common cause), you should be able to sort it without too much bother by following the instructions in this thread.
To answer your questions:
1. Drilling and greasing made no difference for me, and isn't something I would advise or recommend.
2. A tight column can make itself known without it being a particularly hot day, although as ambient temps increase, so will the tightness in the steering.
To answer your questions:
1. Drilling and greasing made no difference for me, and isn't something I would advise or recommend.
2. A tight column can make itself known without it being a particularly hot day, although as ambient temps increase, so will the tightness in the steering.