Z4 2004 2.2 sticky steering issues

[Chrisvectra]

Hi guys
We have had our Z4 for a few years now and we love it .
it’s generally been ok reliability wise
Except for the clocks dying and an expensive repair on those.
The car has only covered 33k and it’s been a bit of a garage queen
We are hoping for some advice
We are finding a issue with the steering where in the straight ahead position on the motorway for example the steering seems to stick ever so slightly but it’s a bit disconcerting as it feels like your always correcting the wheel so much so that it’s putting the better half off driving it
Is there a cure for this or something need replacing
It’s just been in for a service and MOT and I explained this to the mechanic there but he couldn’t find anything wrong or any play in the steering or suspension
I’m handy with the spanners
Chris

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi Chris and welcome.
Lots of threads on here about it.
Basically, the electric steering motor is bolted to the right side of the column by your knees. Between it and the column is a spacer.
Remove the lower column shroud and the footwell panel. You should be able to see the motor and two torx-head bolts attaching it to the column. You should also be able to see the spacer ring, with a slot that the bolt passes through.
An 8mm ring spanner should fit the bolt heads. Possibly needs to be bi-hex (12-point)
You may need to adjust the column down and towards the seat to get on the bolts.
Make a datum mark across the motor and the spacer.
Then slightly loosen the two bolts and tap the spacer ring on the bottom, towards the engine. Move it about 7-8mm.
Tighten the bolts but don't put the panels back on.
Go for a test drive.
You may need another tweak to get it perfect.

The spacer ring adjusts the mesh between the column gear and the motor worm drive.

 

[Chrisvectra]

 

[Chrisvectra]

Could you point me to these threads please
Thanks in advance

 

[enuff_zed]

Here's a few photos to help you:

Basic view from underneath the column.


View from above, showing the rear bolt.


What you'll see from the footwell.


The two bolts and the slotted spacer ring.


How to mark the datum line.


The front bolt in situ.

 

[MikeyH]

Mine does this but goes away in the winter, back again now as it is warmer. Bought the spanner last year but never got around to doing it. These photos have given me the poke I need to have a go.

 

[enuff_zed]

Mine does this but goes away in the winter, back again now as it is warmer. Bought the spanner last year but never got around to doing it. These photos have given me the poke I need to have a go.

You don’t the column laying on your drive btw :rofl:

 

[Joycey]

Could you point me to these threads please
Thanks in advance

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100725

 

[Chrisvectra]

Mine does this but goes away in the winter, back again now as it is warmer. Bought the spanner last year but never got around to doing it. These photos have given me the poke I need to have a go.

You don’t the column laying on your drive btw :rofl:

I definitely feel it’s worse when the weather is warmer

 

[Joez4]

Mine was OK until i had the motor out for ecu testing to repair, I've had to move it over 10mm from where it originally was and i still get issues but it's only when the car is parked up in full sun for the day tho that it's a problem and I've found leaving the windows slightly open helps with this

 

[Huz-z]

I posted the sticky steering fix on the North America forum a while back.

See https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1616159&highlight=Sticky