Wonky Steering

S

Steve-EP

Member
 Birmingham
My beloved 54 Plate Z4 2.2 is giving me some cause for concern in the steering department at the moment.

When going round long sweeping bends in particular i feel lots of bumping through the steering wheel. Also, on intermitant occasions the steering will pull either way, often when braking, and sometimes while driving... there is no patttern to it, and it goes in a straight line when i let go of the steering wheel.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?

Thanks in advance
Steve
 
Could any of the following: worn suspension components i.e. arms or bushes? Needs four wheel alignment/geometry? Under/over inflated tyres or mismatch of pressures (unlikely to manifest itself so aggressively but maybe)?

Those were my first thoughts. :thumbsup:
 
As above or could be tyre pressure or badly worn tyres worth a look and costs nothing to fix well 20p for tyre pressure new tyres start saving.
 
Cheers for all the feedback. The tyres seem fine for a little while, there is a few mm depth above the limit. I will check the presure and fluid tonight.

If it is the arms or bushes, do you recommeded BMW main dealers or BMW approved dealers? Any good places around Reading, Berks?

I've only had the car 3 months so not sure what is best...
 
Steve-EP said:
Cheers for all the feedback. The tyres seem fine for a little while, there is a few mm depth above the limit. I will check the presure and fluid tonight.

If it is the arms or bushes, do you recommeded BMW main dealers or BMW approved dealers? Any good places around Reading, Berks?

I've only had the car 3 months so not sure what is best...
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K&M Autotech http://www.kmautotechniks.co.uk/ just off the M4, or these guys by no means BMW specialists as such, but great friendly and knowledgable: David Hearn - Basingstoke Road 0118-988 3581.

Good luck! No need to get r*ped by the stealers so I'd recommend an indy.
 
Pre facelift models have a history of steering rack problems - the rack is controlled by electric servo motors and when faulty can cause the steering to feel "sticky"

On later models they went back to an old fashioned hydraulic system. :thumbsup:
 
MalcZ4 said:
Pre facelift models have a history of steering rack problems - the rack is controlled by electric servo motors and when faulty can cause the steering to feel "sticky"

On later models they went back to an old fashioned hydraulic system. :thumbsup:
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That is M only isn't it :tumbleweed:
 
I meant that M is the only Z with hydraulic steering. All others have electric assisted steering. Also, the M is the only Z with a diff. So that article is way off, actually it even refers to 330bhp so it must be regarding the M but just has a stupid misleading title. :thumbsdown:
 
Hi

I also live in reading and use a custormer of mine Clive at Munich Motors near wokingham, he has had several cars in bmw mags and currently fitting a bmw v8 into a Z3.
I think hes own car was featured in (i think bmw world ) in this months.I done a bit of machining for him , engine mounts and brackets.
He realy knows his stuff so give him a try.
tel. 01189772236
 
Our's does this quite often, I have put it down to the RFT's as it only does it on certain roads under breaking and the odd veering for no apparant reason. I can predict when and where now due to the road surfaces........ :driving: almost makes it more fun........Oh how i will miss the RFT's when the fronts wear out :cry:
 
Greytay said:
Our's does this quite often, I have put it down to the RFT's as it only does it on certain roads under breaking and the odd veering for no apparant reason. I can predict when and where now due to the road surfaces........ :driving: almost makes it more fun........Oh how i will miss the RFT's when the fronts wear out :cry:
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Good point and didn't think to mention the runflats. Sounds like it could be tram-lining as mentioned above :thumbsup: Another possibility!
 
playalistic said:
I meant that M is the only Z with hydraulic steering. All others have electric assisted steering. Also, the M is the only Z with a diff. So that article is way off, actually it even refers to 330bhp so it must be regarding the M but just has a stupid misleading title. :thumbsdown:
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I've just checked the parts lists on OEMparts and you're correct - I should have kept my mouth shut. :wink:
 
playalistic said:
Greytay said:
Our's does this quite often, I have put it down to the RFT's as it only does it on certain roads under breaking and the odd veering for no apparant reason. I can predict when and where now due to the road surfaces........ :driving: almost makes it more fun........Oh how i will miss the RFT's when the fronts wear out :cry:
Click to expand...

Good point and didn't think to mention the runflats. Sounds like it could be tram-lining as mentioned above :thumbsup: Another possibility!
Click to expand...

I had the same experience with my Z when I first had it, suspension and bushes were OK, I lubricated the two steering UJs which did make some difference, had 4 wheel alignment which was OK, then ditched the Bridgstone run flats for softer walled 'normal' tyres and all was cured - I cannot over emphasise the difference it can make. Cold weather will make the problem worse as the rubber remains stiff until worked up to temp. There is some good advice on the RF tyres that do seem to perform well if you search the forum but they will cost a lot more. The below is a typical thread on the topic. Let us know how you get on.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22275&p=314184#p314184
 
I think it's down to the runflats. Sounds like just the symptoms you get with them, especially when they are wearing down. I junked mine with some tread left,I couldn't live with them any longer,and was glad I did.
 
There are some good points here about the runflats... i've just got back from a very cold drive and it felt worse than ever!

Unfortunatly i've only just had 2 new runflats on the back. Now got the tough decision to scrap them all and go 'normal' or get some new runflats on the front and grin and bare it. :cry:
 
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