E85 Steering problems

[Morfir]

Hello. So let's start, again a similar topic with the Z4. I've had it for two years and for the first year it was a blast to drive. But after a year I think it was after replacing the steering rods. It started to float slightly to the sides, although I'm not sure if it was after that. After that i replaced the wheels with larger ones, the symptoms got worse. I replaced most of the rubber in the suspension. The rubber above the shock absorbers. The geometry was done correctly 2 times, I drilled a hole in the column and sprayed some grease, still nothing, it drives worse and worse. The steering rack works properly, there is no play, although it moves very lightly in the middle, the slightest movement of the steering wheel and the car goes where i want. The car continues to drive phenomenally in corners until it hits some bump. On a straight road it floats sideways, but best of all it floats once to the left, and after the next hole to the right. And now my question, because I don't want to push myself into more costs. Can all this be caused by poorly selected steering rods and rod ends?

Car: E85 2004 2.2

Best regards to all and have a nice day

 

[raymond.harper]

Good afternoon, there was a thread on adjusting the preload and a video though not directly related to the Z4 it does give you a rough idea. https://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143723

 

[damocell]

Have a read of this mate. I was getting floating at speed and the steering trying to correct itself, like really bad force feedback on a sim. Followed the following advice and it has sorted it

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

 

[Morfir]

Good afternoon, there was a thread on adjusting the preload and a video though not directly related to the Z4 it does give you a rough idea. https://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143723

Unfortunately I've already done that and nothing has changed except for a heavier steering wheel movement.

Have a read of this mate. I was getting floating at speed and the steering trying to correct itself, like really bad force feedback on a sim. Followed the following advice and it has sorted it

this is interesting because I've already turned the engine. I have to see exactly which way because I did it with a guide on YT. And I didn't do it like the author of this thread "all the way" I turned the engine about 1 cm.

 

[Morfir]

Okay, I don't know how the guy could turn the steering wheel at all if he turned the ring all the way. I turned it about 3 cm and barely moved the steering wheel, unless it's a problem that I had previously tightened the screw on the rack. I'll try to loosen the screw on the rack and tighten the ring at the weekend. I'll see what the result is. But I returned to almost the original position of the ring, it's much harder to move the steering wheel but I noticed that this car doesn't want to go straight... it either goes left or right but not straight. I'll add that the alignment and geometry were done and I went to another workshop where they confirmed that it was ok. I'm slowly running out of strength for my Z

 

[MikeyH]

Yes, twitchy steering is a problem l had with the 8 yr old Avons. I have GY f1s now and it is much better. Put the pressure up to 32/34 as suggested on here and this also seemed to help.

 

[Morfir]

Yes, twitchy steering is a problem l had with the 8 yr old Avons. I have GY f1s now and it is much better. Put the pressure up to 32/34 as suggested on here and this also seemed to help.

It's not really a tire problem, I have brand new Hankook S1 Evo3 tires, I check the pressure regularly. Besides, on the original 16-inch rims on winter tires it also drives poorly.

 

[MikeyH]

Steering on these cars is the most annoying thing about them. Today the sticky steering came back, not been a problem in the winter here. Only happens once or twice so put up with it. Happens around 20 c in the summer months, only 16 c today. I've got the spanner read all the 'to do guides' but don't feel comfortable doing it.