Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Suspension/steering weirdness

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Portland
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2014 BMW 328xi

    Suspension/steering weirdness

    Folks - I'm a new owner of a 2007 Z4 3.0si coupe and mostly pleased. But ... though the wheels were balanced and a four-wheel alignment done, when driving yesterday on the Interstate, every now and then it felt like the steering was fighting me. At different times, going between 60-75, if I let go of the wheel, sometimes it would drift right and sometimes it would drift left. Not one right after the other, but with time in between. Could this be a suspension problem or a "hiccup" in the electric steering? This squirrelly ness bothers me; I assume it's not normal. Any thoughts? Thanks, David

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    00-740i,98-540i,00-540i
    It is the electric steering over compensating...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Quote Originally Posted by Tenn740il View Post
    It is the electric steering over compensating...
    Is that adjustable?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Bellevue, WA
    Posts
    1,434
    My Cars
    2004 Z4 3.0i
    Does it feel like its trying to follow the grooves in the road? These cars have an issue with trammeling and mine has done it since I got it back in 2006. Ditching the RFT's helps, and it got A LOT better recently after i replaced my control arms, FCABs, and RTABs.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Chandler, AZ
    Posts
    290
    My Cars
    '05 ZHP, '16 Golf R
    How many miles? Has the suspension ever been refreshed? If not there are a lot of wear items there - shocks/struts/ control arm bushings, trailing arm bushings, and if it's got runflats on it, for the love of God, get rid of them immediately and replace with quality, conventional tires. As mentioned earlier, runflats are famous for causing "tramlining" on these cars, which causes the tires to try to follow grooves in grooved pavement, or other road imperfections.
    '08 Z4 M Coupé LM08602
    '19 Golf R

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Quote Originally Posted by KevinC View Post
    How many miles? Has the suspension ever been refreshed? If not there are a lot of wear items there - shocks/struts/ control arm bushings, trailing arm bushings, and if it's got runflats on it, for the love of God, get rid of them immediately and replace with quality, conventional tires. As mentioned earlier, runflats are famous for causing "tramlining" on these cars, which causes the tires to try to follow grooves in grooved pavement, or other road imperfections.
    Mine does have the run flats. I recently purchased the car and they were on it when I got it. They are brand new.
    It only has 43k on it so I would hope it's not a worn out suspension.
    Last edited by B328iC; 03-19-2019 at 12:02 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Naperville IL
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    Z4C 3.0si
    From what I've been reading (mine is doing a minor version of the same thing) that problem could be a DSC related error which is usually caused by wheel speed sensors being off; either from the sensor going bad, or from reading the wheel speed incorrectly from corrosion/damage on the ABS rings.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    139
    My Cars
    '07 Z4 3.0si Roadster
    The squirrelly feeling going left and right is a classic symptom of worn FACBs (front arm control bushings) and is a common problem with the E85/86 Z4s. It's not that involved of a repair so you should have it checked out. Note that if the FACBs are the problem, you will need to have your alignment redone.

Similar Threads

  1. m3 s52 engine , seats, suspension, steering wheels,
    By farzad97m3 in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 12-31-2004, 01:37 PM
  2. Front Suspension/Steering
    By slcook54 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-09-2004, 04:10 PM
  3. steering WEIRD... help please
    By JLC325i in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 12-07-2003, 12:20 AM
  4. Hard Braking / Steering = Weird Sound
    By LinearX in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-24-2003, 01:56 AM
  5. WTB: e30 parts (sport seats, suspension, steering wheel, etc)
    By Coldaccord in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-26-2003, 10:26 AM

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
  •