Steering weight

flybobbie

Elite
 Stourbridge
Have always thought my steering was heavy. Some weeks ago drove a 2012 model and steering was much lighter, even when stationary.
Always spoilt the enjoyment of the car, but today just seemed to get me down.
A previous passenger laughed at my two handed efforts until they had a go at turning wheel from passenger seat.

Does anyone know if the steering assist was made lighter on later models.
One test is to attach a spring balance and measure the force required to start to turn wheel. Anyone have any specs on that.
Rather try to fix myself rather than the stealer condemn it outright and ask something silly to replace.

Reading BMW doc. suggests any report of heavy steering to check for corrosion on the power cable to the steering motor.

Seems in their wisdom the previous gen Z4 motor was mounted on the steering column. Now its on the rack where it can catch all the damp and get submerged in floods :headbang:
Seems the motor gearbox may have some kind of valve fitted.
 
My new 2.8i is much lighter on the sterring than my old 3.5i (2009) - but then the engine will weigh a lot less, so I've put it down to that
 
Having looked here;
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=LM32&mospid=51401&hg=32

There seems mention of retrofit. Shows a black box but might be just software change. Seems there a difference upto 2010 and after.

Just wondering if later models have a different steering setup.
Will ask at the dealers.
 
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