Sticky steering problem. Time to sort it! Help and advice.
- Thread starter Phil-E30
- Start date
I bought a 2006 Z4 3.0 si with 33,000 miles on clock. The previous owner had only done 2k miles in two years! I experienced notchy steering and disturbing tracking almost straight away and found the problem was common. But after driving this car hard and used it a lot in this great summer the problem touch wood, has miraculously disappeared. I also got used to the feel of the cars steering geometry
The car now handles beautifully and is a wonderful drive, is totally grippy with steering confidence inspiring for fast corners and precision.
What has happened here because it was really bad at times? Here's my theory.
1 using the car a lot helps the steering function properly, could be better electronic assistance from a fully charged battery and/ or shinning and smoothing of steering column with use
2 driving hard makes the car boss of the tyres and scuffs them to the shape the profile they should be for car set up
3 some other factors I don't understand
But for me using the car lots has turned a worrying and unnerving z4 into the most amazing fun car to drive
Try it
Antonios
The car now handles beautifully and is a wonderful drive, is totally grippy with steering confidence inspiring for fast corners and precision.
What has happened here because it was really bad at times? Here's my theory.
1 using the car a lot helps the steering function properly, could be better electronic assistance from a fully charged battery and/ or shinning and smoothing of steering column with use
2 driving hard makes the car boss of the tyres and scuffs them to the shape the profile they should be for car set up
3 some other factors I don't understand
But for me using the car lots has turned a worrying and unnerving z4 into the most amazing fun car to drive
Try it
Antonios
Hi All.
I am having same problem with my 03 Z4, I have drilled and fitted grease nipple and pumped grease. not much went in. I don't think i have drilled deep enough.
My question is. Is there a gap between the casing and the column, i would have though so in which case how much? I am going to remove the nipple and drill a little deeper when i get chance but wondered if it was so obvious when i get through the outer casing.
Thanks
Jack
I am having same problem with my 03 Z4, I have drilled and fitted grease nipple and pumped grease. not much went in. I don't think i have drilled deep enough.
My question is. Is there a gap between the casing and the column, i would have though so in which case how much? I am going to remove the nipple and drill a little deeper when i get chance but wondered if it was so obvious when i get through the outer casing.
Thanks
Jack
Jackstone said:
When I drilled mine, the drill seemed to hit something quite hard, then I stopped. When I pumped the grease in it seemed to go somewhere. I also sprayed the nylon bush where it enters and exits the bulkhead with ptfe lubticant and drip oil onto the the 2 UJs in the engine compartment. I don't think grease on the UJs will penetrate. Which one of these or the combination of solved the problem, I don't know but it seems to have.
RichardH1962
Member
Hi
I've just converted my 3.0 2003 to hydraulic steering, simple to do if you know your way round a tool box and nuts and bolts.
I used a purple tag E46 rack with original E46 track rod ends left on, a 2002 LF20 pump with associated pipework, the reservoir fitted straight onto the oil filter holder and an X3 oil cooler. All fitted straight onto the car with no issues, the only issue I had was the lower steering column was too big on the spline's going onto the rack, I overcome this by getting rid of the tab that fitted into the U/J so the splines could close onto the rack, you will also need a longer fan belt as the one on the Z isn't long enough due to a smaller idler pully where the pump now sits, I used a 2002 E46 3.0 ci belt. I have taken the electric motor off the steering column, (I did leave it in but the steering seemed to be holding on which makes sense considering the electric motor wasn't working), all in all very worthwhile, more feel in the steering, the purple tag rack gives positive feedback and lock to lock is 2.5 turns. had the car tracked and all is ok
Why did I convert, simple really, I wasn't going to pay over 2k for a new column or get a second hand one without the locking pin.
BMW needs to ask itself a question, they know about the steering faults on the Z4 and to be honest it's a dangerous issue, when the steering EPS fails steering becomes so heavy it would be impossible to correct if you needed to take evasive action in the event of an accident. Shame on you BMW, it seems cost out ways everything else.
PS when I went into my local dealer and asked if the conversion can be done they said no. Take no notice of them it can be done, you will have an EPS failure light on the dash, I've put a sticker over mine.
I've just converted my 3.0 2003 to hydraulic steering, simple to do if you know your way round a tool box and nuts and bolts.
I used a purple tag E46 rack with original E46 track rod ends left on, a 2002 LF20 pump with associated pipework, the reservoir fitted straight onto the oil filter holder and an X3 oil cooler. All fitted straight onto the car with no issues, the only issue I had was the lower steering column was too big on the spline's going onto the rack, I overcome this by getting rid of the tab that fitted into the U/J so the splines could close onto the rack, you will also need a longer fan belt as the one on the Z isn't long enough due to a smaller idler pully where the pump now sits, I used a 2002 E46 3.0 ci belt. I have taken the electric motor off the steering column, (I did leave it in but the steering seemed to be holding on which makes sense considering the electric motor wasn't working), all in all very worthwhile, more feel in the steering, the purple tag rack gives positive feedback and lock to lock is 2.5 turns. had the car tracked and all is ok
Why did I convert, simple really, I wasn't going to pay over 2k for a new column or get a second hand one without the locking pin.
BMW needs to ask itself a question, they know about the steering faults on the Z4 and to be honest it's a dangerous issue, when the steering EPS fails steering becomes so heavy it would be impossible to correct if you needed to take evasive action in the event of an accident. Shame on you BMW, it seems cost out ways everything else.
PS when I went into my local dealer and asked if the conversion can be done they said no. Take no notice of them it can be done, you will have an EPS failure light on the dash, I've put a sticker over mine.
RichardH1962
Member
Hi Moz it was surprisingly easy, sadly I didn't take pictures, what I will say is if you look at the donor E46 with the M54 6 pot engine it's all the same, the only difference is the oil cooler, I bolted the cooler onto the radiator frame just to get the car fired up and working, I will eventually elongate the pipework to fit the cooler adjacent to the lower grill or behind the kidney grills.
If anyone wants advice on how to do I'm more than happy to help.
If anyone wants advice on how to do I'm more than happy to help.
RichardH1962
Member
Sorry Moz I forgot to add costs,
Rack £50
Pump £45
Pipework £45
Reservoir £10
belt £12
Two litres of ATF £13
Total £175
Rack £50
Pump £45
Pipework £45
Reservoir £10
belt £12
Two litres of ATF £13
Total £175
How have i missed this... Its been on my to do list. Sounds like a very simple conversion. And something i will be doing over the winter.
Nice one Richard
Nice one Richard
RichardH1962 said:
Sounds fairly straightforward. Thanks for the info. Is it a lot better than the EPS even when it wasn't 'sticky'?
RichardH1962
Member
Sorry I haven't responded not been on for a while, yes it is better, no dragging and much better feedback through the steering, I don't need to worry if the steering will work or not, even in hot weather. The biggest issue was getting the steering column out but to be honest wasn't a big deal, don't be frightened to do.
wackyracer8
Member
Hey guys, so I've bought myself an 03 Z4 about 4 months ago and I love it, it's a beauty. However, I also seem to have the sticky steering issue. When it comes to cars I'm not that clued up so I'm after some really basic help here.
I've worked my way through this thread and written down a list of possible causes. First I want to try greasing the UJ's. So I'd like to know what I'm looking for and what is the best way to access it, along with the type of grease I should be using. Pictures and links to these would be really helpful.
Oh, the car currently has run flats on. The front tyres are pratically brand new, however the two back tyres need replacing within the next couple of weeks. Can I have 2 normal tyres on the back with 2 runflats on the front? You guys that have got rid of the runflats, what do you do if you get a puncture as it doesn't come with a spare, or does it?
Thanks guys.
I've worked my way through this thread and written down a list of possible causes. First I want to try greasing the UJ's. So I'd like to know what I'm looking for and what is the best way to access it, along with the type of grease I should be using. Pictures and links to these would be really helpful.
Oh, the car currently has run flats on. The front tyres are pratically brand new, however the two back tyres need replacing within the next couple of weeks. Can I have 2 normal tyres on the back with 2 runflats on the front? You guys that have got rid of the runflats, what do you do if you get a puncture as it doesn't come with a spare, or does it?
Thanks guys.
Hello
Finally some one has successfully changed a pre face lift E85 to hydraulic steering ... well done
This would be a great conversion business opportunity for some one (Machine Monkey ??) I am sure there would be loads of potential z4 owners who would love to have this done ... as you would end up with better steering then the EPS version in the 1st place.
Just one quick question .. did you leave in the steering angle sensor? which I have assumed you have as this is part of the dynamic control system (ABS etc )
regards
Finally some one has successfully changed a pre face lift E85 to hydraulic steering ... well done
This would be a great conversion business opportunity for some one (Machine Monkey ??) I am sure there would be loads of potential z4 owners who would love to have this done ... as you would end up with better steering then the EPS version in the 1st place.
Just one quick question .. did you leave in the steering angle sensor? which I have assumed you have as this is part of the dynamic control system (ABS etc )
regards
I have been through this over the last year since I bought my Z. Soon after purchase, I noticed I was suffering the issue you describe. To cut a very long story short, the UJ joint was greased (no change) ithen replaced (no change). When the car was on the ramp there was stiction when trying to move the steering from the road wheels. The column was disconnected from the rack and the problem remained, the source of this appeared to be the n/s track control arm, which was replaced as the ball joints within it were done. This obviously needed fixing but the sticky steering remained. The column was disconnected again from the rack and some stiction was noticed in the column, the rack remained "free". The column was replaced in late August with an exchange unit from BBA Reman (approx. £600 half paid for by the dealer I bought the car from) as I was not paying £2500 for a new one on a car only worth twice that amount. So far in the month since it was replaced I have not experienced any symptoms of "sticky steering". It would appear this is sorted now, with the reservation that the temperatures have not exceeded 20 eg C since then. The reason I mentionthis is that the original symptoms of "stickiness" kicked in at around 18-20 Deg C and
above, I have driven on days when I would have expected sticky steering from before but had no issue. Next summer is the next real chance to see, but I am fairly confident we are sorted now.
above, I have driven on days when I would have expected sticky steering from before but had no issue. Next summer is the next real chance to see, but I am fairly confident we are sorted now.
I have the parts on order for my own car. Not sure if its something i will be doing for others.
If you want to put £1k into my bank account i would do this for you or anyone else!!
