Steering issues ? Help please (AT BREAKING POINT)

Again your symptoms are almost exactly the same as mine. Mine wasn't so bad on hot days but after extended drives the issue would pop up.

In the end I had enough of it and ended up replacing the steering column with EPS motor and the lower U joint. Good news is that the steering is now amazing, I mean the car is a real joy to drive. Bad news is that the total repair cost ended up approximately £2500.[/quote]

Cheers fella :thumbsup: This play thing is becoming exspensivE :driving: :rofl:
 
AnttiO said:
I dont know if this helps, but i remember there was this kind of solution for sticky steering.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1896932-DIY-Sticky-Clunky-Steering-Fix
Click to expand...

Hi,

Before you look at spending some serious money, I would suggest having a go at the modification shown in the link above - It would appear that the modifications BMW carried out between the new and old versions of the coloumn were based around firmware revisions and a change of lubricant, it appears if you can re lubricate the bearings the success rate is very high......If nothing else it must be worth a try :thumbsup:

Stu.
 
The problem you have is the time it takes for the problem to show up.It could be the heat off the exhaust manifold drying up the universal joints at the bottom of the steering column,try giving them a good soaking with a 3 in 1 spray.If it works it indicates the u/j link needs replacing.
 
Does anyone have links to picks of the sticky steering fix? The ones from the other forums all have dead links to videos and no pics :headbang:
 
I've already searched the net for the photos but most are from several years ago and no longer available. I have read just about every posting on this subject across several forums and a lot of sufferers of sticky steering reported that getting lubricant into the centre bearing of the steering column cured the problem. Many screwed a grease nipple into the hole they had drilled in case the sticky steering returned after a while, allowing them to introduce more lubricant easily if it did. The posting earlier about changes made by BMW is quite correct, it appears they created a little more room in the column outer sleeve to allow heat to dissipate and also introduced a different lubricant (from memory a silicone based so as not to interfere with electrics-please check first!). The big problem, and where I sympathise with anyone considering drilling into the column outer sheath, is that this seems a drastic Heath Robinson sort of fix. If I was contemplating it I think I would first make sure I knew exactly where the bearing is located(real oem?) and ensure the hole is drilled just above this (the lubricant wont travel upwards much). It may even be possible to remove airbag, steering wheel etc (battery disconnect first!) and try introducing some lubricant from the top, maybe even WD40 (easy on the electrics but possibly short term as a lubricant) to see if it helps, before the drastic hole drilling.

My problem turned out to be a simple steering angle sensor reset, thank god, so good wishes to R3AP4R in solving his problem.
 
Midhurstman said:
I've already searched the net for the photos but most are from several years ago and no longer available. I have read just about every posting on this subject across several forums and a lot of sufferers of sticky steering reported that getting lubricant into the centre bearing of the steering column cured the problem. Many screwed a grease nipple into the hole they had drilled in case the sticky steering returned after a while, allowing them to introduce more lubricant easily if it did. The posting earlier about changes made by BMW is quite correct, it appears they created a little more room in the column outer sleeve to allow heat to dissipate and also introduced a different lubricant (from memory a silicone based so as not to interfere with electrics-please check first!). The big problem, and where I sympathise with anyone considering drilling into the column outer sheath, is that this seems a drastic Heath Robinson sort of fix. If I was contemplating it I think I would first make sure I knew exactly where the bearing is located(real oem?) and ensure the hole is drilled just above this (the lubricant wont travel upwards much). It may even be possible to remove airbag, steering wheel etc (battery disconnect first!) and try introducing some lubricant from the top, maybe even WD40 (easy on the electrics but possibly short term as a lubricant) to see if it helps, before the drastic hole drilling.

My problem turned out to be a simple steering angle sensor reset, thank god, so good wishes to R3AP4R in solving his problem.
Click to expand...


Hi Many thanks mate :thumbsup: My biggest issue in all honesty is that a rarely drive the car for long periods! Its rare for me to use the Zed when doing 4-6 hour trips down south and as such I mainly use the Zed as a play thing around Cheshire. I am going to be speaking with Darren Wood in Stockpot (Trusted Indy) to have a look. I have used the car lots since the long drive and the issue has not returned :headbang:

I have been playing with my I-pad mini install which uses Dash Command to check codes etc and I have just noticed some interesting fault codes showing up.

P0161- O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2.
P0160 -O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected Bank 2 Sensor 2.
P0158 -O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 2.

I dont know much about codes, but some of the sticky steering refers to componants shutting down when hot!
 
I really doub it. Those are oxygen sensor heating related fault codes. I would say replace oxygen sensor in bank 2. Or if you want to do simply test swap exhaust manifold oxygen sensors between bank 1 and bank 2. Then if that fault code moves in the bank1 you have faulty oxygensensor. Another thing, it maybe faulty oxygen sensor wiring loom too.
 
AnttiO said:
I really doub it. Those are oxygen sensor heating related fault codes. I would say replace oxygen sensor in bank 2. Or if you want to do simply test swap exhaust manifold oxygen sensors between bank 1 and bank 2. Then if that fault code moves in the bank1 you have faulty oxygensensor. Another thing, it maybe faulty oxygen sensor wiring loom too.
Click to expand...

Hi are these senors expensive?
 
R3AP4R said:
Does anyone have links to picks of the sticky steering fix? The ones from the other forums all have dead links to videos and no pics :headbang:
Click to expand...

I find myself in exactly the same position!! Just bought a 2004 black 3.0 and realised on the way home that the steering clearly has this sticking problem.
It seems a spray on the bottom UJ first to rule it out followed by drilling a bloody hole may be the only solution.

It would be very very helpful if someone could give an idea of where to drill or link of picture?

Apologies that my first few posts on the forum are diving straight in without introductions!! :) Just very annoyed to have just bought and already saddled with something to fix lol

Thanks in advance
J
 
This has some pics,
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=50994&start=90

it may be worthwhile having a look at real oem and something like this youtube of a column out of the car
http://youtu.be/o9Cnk-Rn7Kc
 
Hi

A great opportunity for a clever mechanic for a business opportunity .. shame you cant get a conversion kit to go hydraulic like the M cars
 
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