Sticky steering problem. Time to sort it! Help and advice.

I think I got it from above...for the front one nearest the bulkhed) and the other end may of been from below...have a looksy and see what you reacon thou.
 
Think the one nearest the bulkhead would be easy accessed from above, however the other one is a different matter! Think I would do it from beneath the car just to make life easy.
 
Just a quick update, have delayed doing the job with Machine Monkey's kit temporarily, while I try something else. If unsuccessful I will then do the drilling modification.

Don't want to say what I am doing just yet, I will try it first and then write up on it, if successful. Obviously this work is based on the assumption that the problem is mechanical as opposed to electrical.

Anyone tried changing the power steering pump/servo in a car with sticky steering?

Having talked to my mate, who is a mechanic at the main BMW franchise in N.Ireland, he seems to reckon a full steering column or rack replacement is too drastic. He says replacing various components first is a less costly and sensible option to take. We shall see.
 
Hi phill I think your right to try other avenues before drilling holes!!

Just changed my controle arm and ARB bushes. The car is amazing feels much better. Got a long run tomorrow i will report back :thumbsup:
 
Glad to hear you have had success with them Mat! Let me know how the long run goes, hopefully it will be spot on! :driving: :thumbsup:
 
How much did you lower it? I will be lowering mine, probably just with lowering springs, not coilovers. Want to get spacers on it as well, the Zed deserves to have that lower, squat look.
 
Hi,

Check bimmerforums for the latest update; I'm tvierima in that forum :) ttp://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1896932-DIY-Sticky-Clunky-Steering-Fix&p=26374669&posted=1#post26374669

This really worked for me :)
 
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1896932-DIY-Sticky-Clunky-Steering-Fix&p=26374669&posted=1#post26374669

h was dropped :(
 
Have you found that this fix has been a long lasting fix Bemu? Is your steering still good after the grease fitting was put in place?
 
After the grease setting the steering is perfect. In bimmerforum there is a Z4 case (bmwha), where the fix was implemented 1 year ago - still works without problems (no grease added since). I hope that this will be a long lasting fix. To honest I had nothing to loose, because the driving was already a nightmare and the replacement of the steering column was already waiting there after couple weeks; will not be done now :)
 
Thats really good to hear. I might have to try it out. To be honest after changing all the bushes my steering is much better. But some times especially on roundabouts going from one direction to the other. It still feels dificult to get the steering to move.Once moving it feel ok but you definitely have to apply more pressure to get it to move. Weather that's just electric steering or not????
 
Machine monkey said:
Thats really good to hear. I might have to try it out. To be honest after changing all the bushes my steering is much better. But some times especially on roundabouts going from one direction to the other. It still feels dificult to get the steering to move.Once moving it feel ok but you definitely have to apply more pressure to get it to move. Weather that's just electric steering or not????

Actually which bushes you changed? Who is the manufacture of the new bushes? As we know there is always room for improvement... :)
 
I used powerflex as they where for sale on hear. I changed the ARB bushes and the control arm bushed ( the lollipops ) fairly easy o do your self. It made as much of a difference as fitting non RFTs.
 
I haven't really had a major issue with sticky steering but have noticed it slightly when it's hot or I've been driving for a couple of hours with the heater on. Anyway I thought I'd try the grease nipple mod to see if it worked.
I bought 8mm threaded grease nipples.
I drilled and tapped the hole but I think I may have drilled in too straight as the hole only seemed to break into the other flange chamber half way down the hole. Another problem is that the 8mm nipples I had only have quite short threads and because mounting surface is at an angle I didn't think there would be enough thread teeth down the hole to make it secure. I believe the original modder used self tapping nipples but I never found any.
So, I thought I would just make a 'greasing adapter'.
I used a 8mm long hex nut and some threaded rod. I drilled the rod and assembled into the hole on the steering column, pumped some grease in and then made a blanking plug from some more threaded rod and sealed the hole just in case the grease wanted to run out if it got warm.

As I haven't had any sticky issues this year so far I will have to see if there is any improvement over time.

Here are some pics, not brilliant but it's v. uncomfortable on your back under the steering column. :)

The tapped hole
20130627_101757_zps1f1181f4.jpg

The adapter in bits
20130627_1014201_zpsb205e91d.jpg

Assembled
20130627_101525_zps9ed73662.jpg

Ready for greasing
20130627_102012_zps016ebe6d.jpg

Grease in the hole!
20130627_102542_zps8d2cc9b9.jpg

Blanking plug fitted
20130627_103209_zps50a649e0.jpg
 
Great write up mine is being a pain at the moment in hot weather. Especially after a long ish drive. So i might give this a go at the weekend.
 
Cheers, as yours sounds worse, I'd be interested to see if you get an instant cure.

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