Page 3 of 11 FirstFirst 1234567891011 LastLast
Results 51 to 75 of 272

Thread: DIY Sticky/Clunky Steering Fix

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fl
    Posts
    124
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 3.0i
    If you hold off, I'll take out the fitting tomorrow, and I'll find out exactly how deep.

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by Bmwha View Post
    If you hold off, I'll take out the fitting tomorrow, and I'll find out exactly how deep.
    Hi,

    That's great Thank You, I hold off for the fitting details, Timo

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fl
    Posts
    124
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 3.0i
    Whoops--glad you waited and I measured. 5/8" only.

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by Bmwha View Post
    Whoops--glad you waited and I measured. 5/8" only.
    Hi,

    Thanks again for information; so I have hit the post; I measured it yesterday my the deep is 5/8" is 15.8mm which is same as you have I just need to install the grease fitting and pump some grease to it

    Let's see if this will work...

    Br, Timo

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fl
    Posts
    124
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 3.0i
    Quote Originally Posted by tvierima View Post
    Hi,

    Thanks again for information; so I have hit the post; I measured it yesterday my the deep is 5/8" is 15.8mm which is same as you have I just need to install the grease fitting and pump some grease to it

    Let's see if this will work...

    Br, Timo

    I hope it helps. Please let me know how it goes.

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed
    I too am waiting to hear ...if this works on a second car then I'm in for the fix too.

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by Stromtech View Post
    I too am waiting to hear ...if this works on a second car then I'm in for the fix too.
    Hi,

    The grease fitting fitted 1 hour ago and pumped three times the grease (Redline CV-2) and test drive taken. The first feeling; it seems to be much better, but the test drive was quite short one and the temperature was only +14C. The real test drive will happen tomorrow on the race track; BWM Finland's track day in Ahvenisto. I'll let know the results after that I'm quite optimistic... Br Timo

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by tvierima View Post
    Hi,

    The grease fitting fitted 1 hour ago and pumped three times the grease (Redline CV-2) and test drive taken. The first feeling; it seems to be much better, but the test drive was quite short one and the temperature was only +14C. The real test drive will happen tomorrow on the race track; BWM Finland's track day in Ahvenisto. I'll let know the results after that I'm quite optimistic... Br Timo

    Hi,

    So the Track day behind and I have to say the "Ultimate driving machine is back" I'm so happy; no stickyness left. Thanks Bmwha; fix worked perfectly.

    Br, Timo

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed
    Quote Originally Posted by tvierima View Post
    Hi,

    So the Track day behind and I have to say the "Ultimate driving machine is back" I'm so happy; no stickyness left. Thanks Bmwha; fix worked perfectly.

    Br, Timo
    Two successful fixes is great news. So what size drill bit did you use? If I am looking at the pictures Bmwha posted would it be correct to say I would drill from lying on the floor looking up exactly in the center of the joint where the upper and lower housings are joined?

  10. #60
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fl
    Posts
    124
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 3.0i
    Quote Originally Posted by Stromtech View Post
    Two successful fixes is great news. So what size drill bit did you use? If I am looking at the pictures Bmwha posted would it be correct to say I would drill from lying on the floor looking up exactly in the center of the joint where the upper and lower housings are joined?
    I used a 1/8" drill bit. You are correct, and also drill at the same angle as the two pieces are joined as well.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by tvierima View Post
    Hi,

    So the Track day behind and I have to say the "Ultimate driving machine is back" I'm so happy; no stickyness left. Thanks Bmwha; fix worked perfectly.

    Br, Timo

    Excellent!

  11. #61
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by Stromtech View Post
    Two successful fixes is great news. So what size drill bit did you use? If I am looking at the pictures Bmwha posted would it be correct to say I would drill from lying on the floor looking up exactly in the center of the joint where the upper and lower housings are joined?

    I used 3mm drill bit until I hit the post and after that I used 6.8mm drill for the 8 mm grease fitting (appr 8-9mm deep). My grease fitting was not the longer one, so I need to take some material off with dremel tool from the lower housing part to level the grease fitting nicely. Yes, just drill from lying on the floor looking up exactly in the center ( I missed the central point, but it worked ) of the joint and drill as it want to go aligning with joint.

  12. #62
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed
    Thanks guys...great work and great advice...I'm not sure when I'll get to it but this will be a big help.

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    houston
    Posts
    19
    My Cars
    1995 525i
    Nice thread guys, my car is having the same issues. I plan to do this soon within the next couple of weeks. Anyone know if BMW has a recall on this?

  14. #64
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed
    Quote Originally Posted by Clawger525 View Post
    Nice thread guys, my car is having the same issues. I plan to do this soon within the next couple of weeks. Anyone know if BMW has a recall on this?
    A NHTSA investigation concluded that this was more of a nuisance issue than a safety concern so there was no recall by BMW...we are left on our own other than a couple of PUMA cases where BMW provided some owners with assistance. You can read all the information on the NHTSA web site.

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    2003 3.0i Z4 & a 07 Z06
    How much grease did you pump in?
    2003 3.0i Z4, 2007 Z06, 2013 Yukon Denali & a 1966 LSC 427 S/C Cobra

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Helsinki Finland
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0i 2003
    Quote Originally Posted by undyscobra View Post
    How much grease did you pump in?
    Bmwha pumped 2 times and I pumped 3 times

  17. #67
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    2003 3.0i Z4 & a 07 Z06
    Quote Originally Posted by tvierima View Post
    Bmwha pumped 2 times and I pumped 3 times
    Wondering if cycling the steering wheel lock to lock between squirts might distribute the grease a bit better on the steering shaft/journal, not that it's an issue?
    2003 3.0i Z4, 2007 Z06, 2013 Yukon Denali & a 1966 LSC 427 S/C Cobra

  18. #68
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Lyon,France
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2003 3.0i Z4
    Many thanks Bmwha ! I'm having the same problem and I will apply your fix soon. I am looking forward to seeing my ultimate driving machine back !

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Fl
    Posts
    124
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 3.0i
    Quote Originally Posted by pedro1967 View Post
    Many thanks Bmwha ! I'm having the same problem and I will apply your fix soon. I am looking forward to seeing my ultimate driving machine back !
    Best of luck! I hope we get another fix up and running Let us know how it goes and if you need any advice.

  20. #70
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2005 BMW Z4
    Hi. Can you tell me where I can find a self tapping zerk? I have tried the local auto parts places and home depot. I have drilled in the spot BMWha shown but only had regular zerks, not self tapping. I tried to make some threads but it's not deep enough.

    Another question, when you drill into the spot, can you see right through it if you shine a light into it? Will it look hollow? Just wondering if I drilled deep enough. When I look in, I can see an opening to the side but not straight, if that makes sense. Any help would be appreciated.
    Last edited by JCHO; 05-29-2013 at 03:37 PM.

  21. #71
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    England
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    BMW Z3 2.5L 2003
    How long does the long shanked zerk need to be?

  22. #72
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    England
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    BMW Z3 2.5L 2003
    Hi... Any reason why you use a long shanked grease zerk? Is it that the grease needs to go so far in or can you just use a standard short zerk??

  23. #73
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Mariefred, Sweden
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2004 BMW Z4 2.5i
    Hi, Lars here from Stockholm Sweden. I have exactly the same problem with my Z4 Roadster 2.5i 2004 (black too!), and my Z4 doesnt seem to be alone in this cold country suffer from it. BMW Sweden doesnt recognize the problem, occasional Swedish owners got the repair cost (approx 4 000 USD) covered by their insurance companies. My car is too old so Im gonna try and find a mechanic who's willing to read your excellent instrucdtions and dare to start drilling). Big thanks for sharing! /L

  24. #74
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    bmw
    I have tried this fix described by BMWHA, and it works perfectly, just follow the instructions as described if you are handy and you will have a perfectly steering Z4. Thanks BMWHA you helped me out a great deal and im sure saved my life down the road.

  25. #75
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    2003 3.0i Z4 & a 07 Z06
    Well... unfortunately it didn't work for me. Just finished doing it and I've the same problem, to the same degree. Bummer... Thanks for your efforts Bmwha!!

    I'm thinking that there are several different problems in these steering columns, similar but different in origin. That would make sense, at least to me.

    My problem is only evident at a stop or near stop. It's heat related like a lot of people too. I get a terrible 'groaning' when steering off dead center, either left or right. You can actually feel the groaning as a vibration in the steering wheel. It doesn't require more force to turn the steering wheel during the groaning though. Once moving it's not evident at all. I've no off-center drag (requiring more force to steer) in the steering like many report at higher speeds. That was the symptom reported to the the NHTSA. My problem is at stop or near stop only.

    Back to the drawing board...
    2003 3.0i Z4, 2007 Z06, 2013 Yukon Denali & a 1966 LSC 427 S/C Cobra

Page 3 of 11 FirstFirst 1234567891011 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •