Sticky Steering

N

nfarmer

Active member
 Worcestershire
I'm still having some issues with my steering. Its FAR better than is was but still not as sooth as it should be. I'm looking for a 'scrap' steering column to dis-assemble and try to see if there is a permanent fix for the problem on the earlier cars which dosent need a fortune spending. New column is £2492 plus fitting, an investment out of proportion the value of earlier cars

'eres hoping Norman
 
I'm sure I improved the feel of my steering when i lubricated the two uj's under the bonnet, they are in close proximity to the exhaust & I've read this tends to dry out the lubricant in them.
Regards
 
Smartbear said:
I'm sure I improved the feel of my steering when i lubricated the two uj's under the bonnet, they are in close proximity to the exhaust & I've read this tends to dry out the lubricant in them.
Regards
Click to expand...

Yep did that and it did improve, then had a new lower steering column fitted (which obviously had new U/Js) and that was a further improvement. But its still not perfect.

Next job, maybe tomorrow, is the lubricate all the top end of the column, or at least as much as I can and then we'll see!
 
You get the issue at this temperature? I had the sticky steering on my first zed, but only when it was hot.
 
pvr said:
You get the issue at this temperature? I had the sticky steering on my first zed, but only when it was hot.
Click to expand...

Mine was only sticking when 'hot' at first but its most of the time now, however not as bad as it was.

Well I'm starting to think there is more than one problem area!!! I have applied all the 'standard' fixes ie get any update to the software in the steering ECU, grease lower u/js, replaced the lower steering column and install the grease nipple in the EPS motor gearbox. Each step improved the problem.

Now I can feel some 'stickness' with wheel unlocked and engine not running and it seems to come from the upper column, next step will be to lubricate any upper column bearing but from threads on the internet it would seem bearings are not re-placeable. My car has now done almost 120k miles so I am expecting some bearing wear to be present. If the lubrication helps it will only last a limited time so I'm guessing either sell or a new column!

Watch this space.

Norman
 
I know I'm a relative newbie to the site but this topic was recently covered a few months ago with a post that said sticky steering fixed. I'm sure somebody on here will be able to find it and bump it up again. But every aspect of potential reasons/ fixes has been talked about. Including drilling the steering column housing and putting a grease point in there. I have yet to tackle this issue on my car but it does have it. Its a 2003 2.5 auto. i just manage it. In the summer if I keep the aircon to the footwell. And in the winter I do not have the heat on to the footwell. This works well for me at the moment.
 
I've yet to play around with mine Norman, but I am waiting to sort out all of my suspension and steering parts first. My front end is out of alignment (quite badly) and it is prudent to make sure the alignment, components and suspension bushings are all solid before starting anything else.
 
Your issues sound very similar to mine as initially the stickiness only occurred when hot (summer). The symptoms slowly deteriorated and then it was happening even on a cool day after an extended drive. Within a few months it was happening almost daily to the point I no longer wanted to drive the car.

Having a new steering column has completely transformed the car for me, I really enjoy driving it and at this present time probably more than my M3.

Also something I noticed was that the "Sport" button would make the steering overly heavy when the steering was sticky but with the new column it increases the weight but an almost imperceptible but perfect amount. I don't know whether this is new software that was updated during the fitting or a side effect of the faulty steering rack initially.
 
Guys, I tried everything to sort this problem on my 2005 3.0 but failed, I sought technical advise from forums all over the world and lobbied BMW to secure support but it fell upon deaf ears. In the end my wife refused to drive it so I bit the bullet and put the feelers out and bought a salvaged steering column from a 2008 and had it fitted. What a transformation, sorted the issues overnight. I actually bought two complete columns from Silver Lake and stored one for future use. I've since bought an M Roadster and don't need the column so if anyone wants it drop me a pm.
 
Recently I have been looking at Z3s Z4s and MGBs; I found a very nice condition 2004 Z4 and after checking it out bought it and drove it home. After about 40 minutes I noticed strange steering characteristics which match exactly the various posts relating to steering issues. I checked the car the next day and no issue, then again and in a 45 minute trip there are no problems. Then on an hour long trip at an outside temperature of 2 degrees C the problem started to reappear. I had the local dealer try to diagnose it but despite giving them lots of detail they only came up with a list of things, mostly non BMW parts and no guarantee that £1200 would effect a cure. The problem and cure seem to be pretty obvious, there is a bodge drilling a hole in the column and applying a lubricant which seems to work, but does not address the fundamental issue. I had a Z3 for 3 years, 2 MGBs a Midget and despite this being a superb condition car its blighted by a fundamental design error. Hardly the Ultimate driving machine.
 
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