E85/E86 Steering Problems (Solved)

Don’t overthink it. Adjust the ring first then talk about how you need a new column if that doesn’t work.
 
poortomsacold said:
firebobby said:
ryushe said:
You're absolutely right of course. Already tried getting to the bolts last weekend, but while I seem to be able to reach one (it turned), I just can't get to the other (not enough space for hands + tools). Took out the lower air duct and everything, still no space (LHD car). By the way, it's two T40 torx bolts in my case, would probably be a lot easier if I could grab the bolts directly instead of having to use a socket wrench :/

Initial call to this gentleman was to get the ring adjusted, but his argument is that sticky steering is something different from this specific issue (literally 'stuck' steering wheel during turns vs. tiny adjustments to the steering wheel while driving straight between certain speeds). He claims it's due to issues with the ESP motor incorrectly reacting to sensors readings, which would require a 'new' steering column.
I just can't work out exactly how what sounds like an electronics issue can be related to a full mechanical replacement...
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He will want to go down the expensive route, it's not his money!
I had sticky steering, it was like the car was suicidal and wanted to crash
I adjusted the ring some years ago and it was an instant fix, the car became a pleasure to drive.
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Morning. Aside from the sticky steering itself where the steering wheel sorts of locks into position, did you have any other sorts of steering issues - loose handling at speed, etc?
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No, just horrible steering.
My ECU packed up some years ago too, that's when I adjusted the ring, while fitting the motor back in

It felt and still does feel like a different can.
 
Finally got round to removing the stripped bolt and replacing it with the one enuff-zen kindly sent me, have tightened the steering a little and initial test seems positive. Will report back once I’ve had a longer drive. Glad to have been able to adjust it though.
 
Huge thanks Joycey. Did the adjustment today, counterclockwise to tighten my steering as it felt light/floaty especially at speed and it feels so much better now. Actually needs more force to get off centre which is exactly what I wanted.

I used this which worked a treat - Silverline 633787 Fixed Head... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NBPIP8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just make sure that you have the steering column fully extended and down, otherwise you may spend an hour trying to get the spanner out of the tight space..thanks again enuff_zed!

I am based in West Midlands if anyone wants help with the adjustment.

Cheers!
 
Chengy said:
Huge thanks Joycey. Did the adjustment today, counterclockwise to tighten my steering as it felt light/floaty especially at speed and it feels so much better now. Actually needs more force to get off centre which is exactly what I wanted.

I used this which worked a treat - Silverline 633787 Fixed Head... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NBPIP8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just make sure that you have the steering column fully extended and down, otherwise you may spend an hour trying to get the spanner out of the tight space..thanks again enuff_zed!

I am based in West Midlands if anyone wants help with the adjustment.

Cheers!
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Yup! How to spend your Saturday evening, trying to think a jammed spanner out from 150 miles away.
[ref]Chengy[/ref] even refused to rule out my suggestion of Semtex at one point. :rofl:
 
enuff_zed said:
Chengy said:
Huge thanks Joycey. Did the adjustment today, counterclockwise to tighten my steering as it felt light/floaty especially at speed and it feels so much better now. Actually needs more force to get off centre which is exactly what I wanted.

I used this which worked a treat - Silverline 633787 Fixed Head... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NBPIP8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just make sure that you have the steering column fully extended and down, otherwise you may spend an hour trying to get the spanner out of the tight space..thanks again enuff_zed!

I am based in West Midlands if anyone wants help with the adjustment.

Cheers!
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Yup! How to spend your Saturday evening, trying to think a jammed spanner out from 150 miles away.
[ref]Chengy[/ref] even refused to rule out my suggestion of Semtex at one point. :rofl:
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Your fault [ref]enuff_zed[/ref] for being knowledgeable and helpful - and also giving me your phone number :P
 
Chengy said:
Huge thanks Joycey. Did the adjustment today, counterclockwise to tighten my steering as it felt light/floaty especially at speed and it feels so much better now. Actually needs more force to get off centre which is exactly what I wanted.

I used this which worked a treat - Silverline 633787 Fixed Head... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NBPIP8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just make sure that you have the steering column fully extended and down, otherwise you may spend an hour trying to get the spanner out of the tight space..thanks again enuff_zed!

I am based in West Midlands if anyone wants help with the adjustment.

Cheers!
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Hey Chengy I may need to take you up on that offer at some point :thumbsup:
 
Special Kay said:
Chengy said:
Huge thanks Joycey. Did the adjustment today, counterclockwise to tighten my steering as it felt light/floaty especially at speed and it feels so much better now. Actually needs more force to get off centre which is exactly what I wanted.

I used this which worked a treat - Silverline 633787 Fixed Head... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NBPIP8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just make sure that you have the steering column fully extended and down, otherwise you may spend an hour trying to get the spanner out of the tight space..thanks again enuff_zed!

I am based in West Midlands if anyone wants help with the adjustment.

Cheers!
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Hey Chengy I may need to take you up on that offer at some point :thumbsup:
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All good matey, yeah just send me a PM :thumbsup:
 
Long shot, but I just can't seem to get this sorted out. Made a special super low profile tool with a T40 torx bit to get to the harder to reach bolt, but no joy in actually loosening the bolt and adjusting the ring. With all the friendly folk on here, anyone in NL that has done this before and would be willing to help me out?
 
ryushe said:
Long shot, but I just can't seem to get this sorted out. Made a special super low profile tool with a T40 torx bit to get to the harder to reach bolt, but no joy in actually loosening the bolt and adjusting the ring. With all the friendly folk on here, anyone in NL that has done this before and would be willing to help me out?
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Try using an 8mm bi hex ratchet ring spanner
 
ryushe said:
Long shot, but I just can't seem to get this sorted out. Made a special super low profile tool with a T40 torx bit to get to the harder to reach bolt, but no joy in actually loosening the bolt and adjusting the ring. With all the friendly folk on here, anyone in NL that has done this before and would be willing to help me out?
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Haven’t done it myself, but ProCar in Zwolle do it all the time. They can help you out no problem :thumbsup:
 
Evening everybody, so been on the motorway today and noticed when on a long curve it seemed to stick. So when i got home I've read through how to turn the adjustment on the motor so I lossened the two torque bolts with a 8mm ratchet spanner worked great,
But looking towards front of car I have adjusted it towards the front of the car which has seemed to work but I have only moved it about 10mm and won't go any further. So I tried the other way which it traveled a fair way to another stop I would say at least 70 80mm but that tightened it up to the point I could hardly move the steering wheel so my 1st direction was correct. So put it back but again went for a decent run on the M1 still the same I also noticed near the adjustment and motor there was some oily deposits has anybody any idea on my next course of action please.
 
Joycey said:
Special Kay said:
Hey Joycey, I've just been reading through your handy work. Having recently bought a coupe, my journey home was dampened by the travel/play I was experiencing in the steering wheel around 60mph. I was thinking worse case scenario or replacing or reconditioned steering rack, but this thread has restored some confidence in BMW. Once I've got it on the road (probably next spring to summer) this will be one of the first things I will be addressing. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all other contributors for all your analytical and problem solving skills. I'll be eternally thankful. :thumbsup:
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Your welcome, if your local more than happy to make the adjustment for you. Plenty of space now to help out.
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Hi Joycey. I read your posts regarding adjustment of the EPS steering ring. I bought my E86 si sport coupe at the end of last year and it's got a steering issue that I'd describe as tramlining. It's not sticky steering, it just makes micro adjustments when I'm doing 40-60mph and driving is less than enjoyable, especially with the crappy road surfaces we have at the moment.
Do you think this could be adjusted out? I've already done all the obvious stuff... wheel alignment and balancing, tyre pressures, bushes checked... but nothing makes any difference. The car has non run-flat tyres (Yokohamas with plenty of tread left, so I don't really want to replace yet). I took a quick look at the rack today, but kneeling down and getting in the footwell proved too difficult - I have an artificial leg, new hip replacement and a dodgy knee, so my mobility isn't great! Do you think you could help out?
 
Uniped said:
It's not sticky steering, it just makes micro adjustments when I'm doing 40-60mph and driving is less than enjoyable
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Does it feel more like quick and very small left and right twitching in the steering wheel, rather than actual tramlining where you need to make physical steering corrections? Like the power steering and/or DSC doing things on their own while they wouldn't need to? If so, I have the same issue. Nothing has fully cured it yet. I have done the ring adjustment (made the steering stiffer), new suspension, new control arms, alignment and balancing and it still twitches, although not so much anymore. Very annoying. I even started considering, could it be EPS module firmware issue, but this is just a loose theory. I started a related thread a few days back: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2001563#p2001563, but I haven't been able to verify this EPS module theory yet.
 
Yes, it's mostly L/R twitching, although occasionally it will follow a rut in the road. It doesn't happen below 40mph and disappears around 60/65mph. It seems slightly less if I turn on the sport mode, which I believe stiffens up the steering, hence me asking about the steering ring. Good luck with yours and please let me know if you find a cure.
 
Uniped said:
It's not sticky steering, it just makes micro adjustments when I'm doing 40-60mph and driving is less than enjoyable...
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I think I'm in the same boat :(
As it sounds like I have the same issue, does this post sound familiar at all?
After a lot of troubleshooting with BMW themselves and a few indies I'm now pretty certain it's to do with the steering rack (still haven't found a replacement!). Apparently with some cars over time the gears inside the rack will develop some minute amount of play, which at lower speeds won't be noticed, but at highway speeds will make the car (more specifically the steering wheel) feel twitchy and 'vague'. It's also not enough to feel with the wheels in the air.
Either way, good luck. It's not a safety thing but it sure does make driving the car over longer distances tiring.
 
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