Z4 - Sticky Steering Problem - Any Suggestions?

[Skirmisheer]

A few weeks ago we bought a Z4 from a private seller. The car is an 04 and with only 25,000 miles on the clock. A full BMW service history too. Both me and my wife had test drives and everything seemed fine. We got married late last year and unfortunately couldn't have a honeymoon at the time. This car was our present to each other and we intended to go on our late honeymoon to Cornwall a few weeks ago. The below text will explain why we ended up going in the 307 SW instead.

Unfortunately on the longish journey home I noticed that the steering started to feel 'sticky' and 'notchy'. By the end of the journey this was quite severe and at times the car felt dangerous and uncomfortable to drive. Later that evening I went out again and found the problem appeared again after about 20 minutes of driving.

I therefore got online and soon discovered that this was a well known problem with early Z4's. I also found that models of 2006 onwards have a different design of steering wheel column fitted and there is no problem with these cars.

The forums offer various 'fixes' with apparently the most effective being to drill into the steering wheel column housing and injecting grease to lubricate the sticking components. While I am sure I could manage this task I am obviously very wary of other potential problems and implications from doing such a process.
The correct solution is to replace the steering wheel column assembly with a newer design however the cost of that is too high for us to contemplate.

At this moment in time the best option seems to be to quickly sell the car and remove this potential problem from our lives. This really would be sad to do though as the car, apart from this one issue, is superb and exactly what we wanted. It is a serious performance car too and before the steering starts sticking, fantastic to drive.

I would be grateful if anyone can offer advice on our dilemma. Specifically whether it would be worth writing to BMW UK requesting that they rectify the problem that was a consequence of their poor design and engineering.

Thanks in advance.
David

[4rephill]

Your problem is going to be a failing bearing in the steering column assembly. By the looks of it, you have to replace the entire column rather than just the bearing (as you could on older BMW's).

As for:

Skirmisheer said:

.......I would be grateful if anyone can offer advice on our dilemma. Specifically whether it would be worth writing to BMW UK requesting that they rectify the problem that was a consequence of their poor design and engineering.

Thanks in advance.
David

It can't hurt to ask but on a 10 year old car I seriously doubt that BMW are going to repair it for free! (I suspect that even with a FBMWSH, you'll even struggle to get a goodwill gesture from them!).

[ManiacGT]

I had this in my 05. The steering column required replacement. Worse in hot temps.

[Skirmisheer]

Did you have to pay for the replacement steering column? Also how many miles had it done and how old?

Well I've drafted a pretty good letter and I am planning to send it tomorrow. As you say, it is a long shot, but you never know.

There is a DIY fix apparently however it does involve drilling into steering wheel column aluminium housing. By all accounts it does stop the problem however its something I would be very wary about doing. Not entirely ruling it out though.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.ph...

[ManiacGT]

Mine was done under AUC warranty. At the time the mech told me it was due to an issue with the electric motor on the steering column, some tolerance issue causing binding. That doesn't tally with your reading about putting grease in somewhere so I can't comment really. All I know is in summer it was quite hard to steer, esp on the motorway to keep it in a straight line. After it was replaced, it drove normally.

[Jez m]

What an odd problem! Having just narrowed my choice of replacement car to a Z4 3.0L this is something i will be checking for when i test drive potential car's!

Hope you get it sorted. The DIY fix doesn't look too complicated, but not ideally something you really want to be doing in the first place!

[Skirmisheer]

Yes, it is a ridiculous problem and makes a mockery of BMW's claim to produce Ultimate Driving Experiences. I think if you buy a car late 2006 onwards you will be okay but I should do your research. Definitely stay away from cars up to that date unless you can find out whether they have been sorted. Definitely test drive for at least 30 minutes with the heater blowing in the footwells to see if anything develops.

As you say, the drilling procedure doesn't seem too bad a job to do but I'm sure it is not without some added risk.

Shame really, as the car is quite stunning in every other respect but steering is a huge part of the dynamics of a car and the last thing you want is it to be resisting your input when in potentially quite dangerous situations. It does surprise me, and maybe BMW have been very lucky in this respect, that some serious incident has not yet occurred.

I have to say that the circumstances in which we bought our car would make a great story on a TV consumer programme. I'm tempted to hint that to BMW in the letter I'm going to send them.

[Sticks.]

They'll probably remind you that it's 10 years old and the problem is rare.

Mine's fine (famous last words) and the two friends who have similar cars haven't mentioned a problem.

Frustrating, all the same. Let us know how you get on.

[hornetrider]

Bought privately. You'll be lucky with BMW but always worth a shot I suppose. I like how you casually drop in the fact you might sell it on to some other unlucky punter. Nice touch.

[Skirmisheer]

Like the nice professional couple who sold US the car who obviously knew the car had an issue with it. We should have done more research and maybe we would have found out the 'known' problem before buying the car. Buying a car from a private seller. Caveat Emptor.

[Sticks.]

I've not come across it before, despite having had one since 04 - if it makes you feel any better.

[Skirmisheer]

Sticks. said:

I've not come across it before, despite having had one since 04 - if it makes you feel any better.

It's interesting to hear that you've not encountered the problem. Until you've experienced it it's difficult to appreciate just how bad it is. I've had all sorts of cars in my time including Fiats, Lancias, Peugeots, Volvos, Fords, Vauxhalls. Even my old 1979 2CV never had steering as bad as it can be on this Z4.
Anyway, the letter has just been posted so I'm hoping I will at least get a response from BMW and with a bit of luck it may be the one I'm looking for.

[Sticks.]

The system was never rated that highly, even when it was new iirc, and it does have a bit of a dead zone straight ahead, tramlines like anything on 18" rfts, but yours doesn't sounds like that. Sounds too bad for tyres and/or pressures etc to be an issue.

[Sticks.]

2CV??

[Skirmisheer]

Sticks. said:

2CV??

I should have put that in my letter.
The Ultimate Driving Experience eclipsed by a 2CV.

[anonymous-user]

Skirmisheer said:

Yes, it is a ridiculous problem and makes a mockery of BMW's claim to produce Ultimate Driving Experiences. I think if you buy a car late 2006 onwards you will be okay but I should do your research. Definitely stay away from cars up to that date unless you can find out whether they have been sorted. Definitely test drive for at least 30 minutes with the heater blowing in the footwells to see if anything develops.

As you say, the drilling procedure doesn't seem too bad a job to do but I'm sure it is not without some added risk.

Shame really, as the car is quite stunning in every other respect but steering is a huge part of the dynamics of a car and the last thing you want is it to be resisting your input when in potentially quite dangerous situations. It does surprise me, and maybe BMW have been very lucky in this respect, that some serious incident has not yet occurred.

I have to say that the circumstances in which we bought our car would make a great story on a TV consumer programme. I'm tempted to hint that to BMW in the letter I'm going to send them.

Having read through the 'fix' it seems straightforward enough and I can't see any real risks, unless you drill straight through the column! Worth a go, I would have thought.

[Skirmisheer]

I think my concern would be forcing a lubricant into an area where there shouldn't be one. There could also be a problem with possibly ending up with some drilling debris into the sealed bearing/worm gear area.

I think drilling through the actual steering column is very low in my list of worries!

[gizlaroc]

I'd just drill, lubricate and get on with life.

Looks a simple fix.

[Skirmisheer]

You have a rather more 'gung ho' attitude to things than I do by the sound of things. I worry about 'consequences' and I find that this approach has served me well in the past.

I'm not ruling it out but I also don't intend to rush into it either.

[anonymous-user]

Skirmisheer said:

You have a rather more 'gung ho' attitude to things than I do by the sound of things. I worry about 'consequences' and I find that this approach has served me well in the past.

I'm not ruling it out but I also don't intend to rush into it either.

You may well be doing the right thing! Looking further I found this on another site:

Ok below is information from the NHTSA (US) Of interest here, is BMW admits that (1.) They know there is a problem, (2.)they tried to fix it in July 2005, and implemented another "fix" on July 5, 2006. The problem is not electronic but rather the "WORM GEAR" is defective.

BMW stated that conditions of “sustained high temperatures, combined with long periods of intense sunlight” can cause the worm gear within the EPS system to expand causing increased friction within the system.

BMW has implemented three modifications to the steering system components in the subject vehicles in its efforts to reduce friction during high ambient temperature conditions. In mid-June 2005, BMW began producing steering systems with revised dimensional adjustments between the worm gear and worm gear shaft. These modified components, which were produced for service parts only, have lower internal friction during high ambient temperatures. On July 5, 2006, BMW implemented two additional production changes: 1) a new machining process that produces a smoother surface of the worm gear and 2) a new lubrication for the worm gear. ODI found the number of complaints and warranty claims declined significantly for model year 2006-2008 BMW Z4 vehicles built after these production changes were implemented.

My suggestion to all of you who still have warranty is to insist the dealer contact BMW and get the repair. The only acceptable repair is a new steering column.

That's what those of us in the states are doing. This steering defect is for models from 2003 - July 5, 2006.