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Groan from steering
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Groan from steering
Hi all, new to the forum and wondered if anyone could help with a problem that has started with my 2004 Z4 2.5. Once the car has been driven for some time and is properly warm the steering makes a groaning noise and a slight tugging/vibration when maneuvering the car. It only does it when moving at very low speed, not when moving along and there are no warning lights.
Having read some of the posts on here it sounds like it may be something to do with the EPS and if that needs replacing it is very expensive. The car has the comprehensive BMW insured warranty on it still. It is a bit of an intermittant problem at the moment so I have not taken it to the dealer but I wondered if anyone had experience of making such a claim?
Thanks!
Having read some of the posts on here it sounds like it may be something to do with the EPS and if that needs replacing it is very expensive. The car has the comprehensive BMW insured warranty on it still. It is a bit of an intermittant problem at the moment so I have not taken it to the dealer but I wondered if anyone had experience of making such a claim?
Thanks!
- GuidoK
- Lifer
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Re: Groan from steering
sounds like this?
Lubricate the steering rack with bearing grease; the riggers that come out of it (remove the rubber boot):
Lubricate the steering rack with bearing grease; the riggers that come out of it (remove the rubber boot):
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
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Re: Groan from steering
Yes, that's exactly it! Even the same amount of lock on the steering when yours did it. Thanks very much, I thought this was going to be a big problem but hopefully this is the cause. I was recommended this forum from Pistonheads and it's already delivered twice now!GuidoK wrote:sounds like this?
Lubricate the steering rack with bearing grease; the riggers that come out of it (remove the rubber boot):
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Re: Groan from steering
Quick further question, did yours only do it when the car was warm through rather than cold? Is there any reason why that would be the case?
- GuidoK
- Lifer
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Re: Groan from steering
I don't have this problem, but I know some people who do with z4's (but don't know if it's largely when warm).
It's not a common problem but it does happen and lubrication is almost always the answer.
Remove the clip from the rubber boot, lubricate and refit the boot with a jubilee clip or something like that.
BMW sells these specific hose clamps seperately:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/E ... _tie_rods/
The bmw hoseclamp needs a special pair of hoseclamp crimping pliers to fit; it's a use once hose clamp, cv boot clamp style.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CV-JOINT-BOOT ... 0900097324
(but I guess you can just as easily fit a normal style of hoseclamp that you can tighten with a screwdriver)
I've seen this problem on other type of cars too though (but relatively rare though)
It's not a common problem but it does happen and lubrication is almost always the answer.
Remove the clip from the rubber boot, lubricate and refit the boot with a jubilee clip or something like that.
BMW sells these specific hose clamps seperately:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/E ... _tie_rods/
The bmw hoseclamp needs a special pair of hoseclamp crimping pliers to fit; it's a use once hose clamp, cv boot clamp style.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CV-JOINT-BOOT ... 0900097324
(but I guess you can just as easily fit a normal style of hoseclamp that you can tighten with a screwdriver)
I've seen this problem on other type of cars too though (but relatively rare though)
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
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Re: Groan from steering
Before you start with the gators.
My Bmw Indy sprayed lube into the seal where the steering column shaft goes into the steering rack. That was 6 months ago and mine is perfect now. Once under the car, it's a 10 second job.
Mine used to do it only when hot by the way.
My Bmw Indy sprayed lube into the seal where the steering column shaft goes into the steering rack. That was 6 months ago and mine is perfect now. Once under the car, it's a 10 second job.
Mine used to do it only when hot by the way.
2005 Z4 3.0 Black, Zhp gear knob.
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Re: Groan from steering
Mine used to do it driving through London in the traffic to a football game.
Sounded like a whale calling out for a sex buddy !!!
Sounded like a whale calling out for a sex buddy !!!
2005 Z4 3.0 Black, Zhp gear knob.
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Re: Groan from steering
I'd say it was more sad than frisky!Rob_benton wrote:Mine used to do it driving through London in the traffic to a football game.
Sounded like a whale calling out for a sex buddy !!!
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Re: Groan from steering
Took a video in case it didn't perform for garage, this is the noise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDfe-5Q ... e=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDfe-5Q ... e=youtu.be
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Re: Groan from steering
Just come back from garage who diagnosed the noise being heard/felt through front axle top mounts and said they should be replaced to stop it. As someone with zero mechanical knowledge I wanted a sense check that this sounds like a reasonable cause for noisy steering.
Thanks very much
Thanks very much
Last edited by Duckers26 on Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
- GuidoK
- Lifer
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Re: Groan from steering
Yes they can make noise too, alhough I imagine that would rather be a knocking or grinding noise.
If it's the cause or not is hard to tell from behind this computerscreen
But my money is on the outgoing riggers of the steering rack.
But if the garage can solve the problem... they solve the problem. They do that with 'no cure no pay'?
If it's the cause or not is hard to tell from behind this computerscreen
But my money is on the outgoing riggers of the steering rack.
But if the garage can solve the problem... they solve the problem. They do that with 'no cure no pay'?
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
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- Lifer
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Re: Groan from steering
I like the sound of that plan, get them to put their money where their mouth is!
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
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Re: Groan from steering
I would still have to pay I think even if it doesn't solve it. I will ask them to do the greasing you describe as well.
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Re: Groan from steering
Start with my spray as there's no labour involved ! Unless they charge for 10 seconds. Mines been fine for months now.
2005 Z4 3.0 Black, Zhp gear knob.
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Re: Groan from steering
It was done a week ago (I didn't post in case it started again!) and seems to have cured it. PMW were excellent, very professional and talked and showed you the problem. Can now swing about in carpark without everyone turning around!