Thanks for this, much appreciated .Maklo wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:36 amNot to hard to do. Before I took it out I tested the steering with the engine of, the front wheels in the air and the tie rods not connected. The steering felt loose in the center and heavy of center. The loose feeeling appeared again after one turn of the steering wheel in each direction probably due to wear on the pinion.
Dismantling the steering rack:
Take the plastic cover of, release the big clips from the rubber boots, release the inner ball joints from the rack, release the column at lower u-joint (torx bolt) and finally release the two bolts holding the steering rack. When the steering rack is out you can take a closer look at it. I only took the preload adjuster apart. A full dismantling may be better to do so everything can be cleaned up but my dust cover was stuck and I was afraid to break it. Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures during the work Don’t forget to use thread locking on the torx bolt when you reassemble.
Good luck!
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
- perttu
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
”Buy a BMW Z4, they zed. It’ll be fun, they zed.”
E85 3.0i 2003 Black Sapphire
Tesla Model 3 Performance
E85 3.0i 2003 Black Sapphire
Tesla Model 3 Performance
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Looking forward to see how it works for you. I will go on and try some more adjusting
Supercharged e85 3.0i 2003
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
I found a guide how to set the preload on the steering rack. Take a look at this clip, start from 6 min. https://youtu.be/9KUJOvYR23A I did this adjustment today without taking the steering rack of. You can feel if the movement is smooth with the wheels in the air and the engine of. It made a huge improvement to my steering issue
Supercharged e85 3.0i 2003
- NaweedMustafa
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Everytime i read prices in this forum, i think the same. I think we're just cursed that NL is a non-petrolhead country (by majority)
Current: 2003 3.0is | Sterling Grey | Dream Red
Previous: Bicycle. Never owned a car before
Previous: Bicycle. Never owned a car before
- NaweedMustafa
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
@ryushe I just remembred. theres a bloke in Belgium that has two Z4's for parts. Got my replacement wind deflector from him. I can pass his Marktplaats profile to you if youre interested
Current: 2003 3.0is | Sterling Grey | Dream Red
Previous: Bicycle. Never owned a car before
Previous: Bicycle. Never owned a car before
- perttu
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Thanks again, seems like a nice one.Maklo wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:08 pm I found a guide how to set the preload on the steering rack. Take a look at this clip, start from 6 min. https://youtu.be/9KUJOvYR23A I did this adjustment today without taking the steering rack of. You can feel if the movement is smooth with the wheels in the air and the engine of. It made a huge improvement to my steering issue
So, did I get it right: to clean and lube the rack, you take the steering gear out of the car, and then you can just move the rack left and right inside the housing and clean and lube the visible part of the rack as you go? You don't have to take the steering gear apart more than just remove it from the car?
Also, for the preload adjustment, did you use the special tool mentioned in the video, or you can do it with a standard tool only?
”Buy a BMW Z4, they zed. It’ll be fun, they zed.”
E85 3.0i 2003 Black Sapphire
Tesla Model 3 Performance
E85 3.0i 2003 Black Sapphire
Tesla Model 3 Performance
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
I did just like you discribed at first and it made my steering feel better. Today I took the rack out again and took it apart. It is worn on both pininon and rack I cleaned and lubed everything up and put it together with the pinion turned 180 degrees. I can still feel the wear in center but not as much as before.perttu wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 1:28 pm Thanks again, seems like a nice one.
So, did I get it right: to clean and lube the rack, you take the steering gear out of the car, and then you can just move the rack left and right inside the housing and clean and lube the visible part of the rack as you go? You don't have to take the steering gear apart more than just remove it from the car?
Also, for the preload adjustment, did you use the special tool mentioned in the video, or you can do it with a standard tool only?
I used a wrench to the set the preload.
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Supercharged e85 3.0i 2003
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
ryushe, hi Ryushe, finally did you fix your steering wander issue? I have the same, steering float sensation. Will we have the rack and pinion worn?
- ryushe
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
I eventually found a second hand LHD low mileage (34k ish!) steering rack in the US and had it shipped and fitted here. Seemed to fix things just fine.
My original rack had some (very minor) play in it, more than I would've liked. Took it apart, cleaned it up, and installed a grease nipple. No more play at all. Your reply reminded me I need to put it up for sale, it's just gathering dust at the moment
'06 E85 Z4 3.0si 6 speed manual - Black metallic w/ champagne interior
Prev BMWs: '04 E85 Z4 Individual 2.5i • '04 E85 Z4 3.0i • '04 E46 M3 • '04 E61 535d • '86 E28 525i • '87 E28 528e
Prev BMWs: '04 E85 Z4 Individual 2.5i • '04 E85 Z4 3.0i • '04 E46 M3 • '04 E61 535d • '86 E28 525i • '87 E28 528e
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Great! thank you. I will do the same adding grease in the rack. I am in Spain so it is easier than buy yours
- ryushe
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Good luck!
'06 E85 Z4 3.0si 6 speed manual - Black metallic w/ champagne interior
Prev BMWs: '04 E85 Z4 Individual 2.5i • '04 E85 Z4 3.0i • '04 E46 M3 • '04 E61 535d • '86 E28 525i • '87 E28 528e
Prev BMWs: '04 E85 Z4 Individual 2.5i • '04 E85 Z4 3.0i • '04 E46 M3 • '04 E61 535d • '86 E28 525i • '87 E28 528e
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E85 Steering rack issues - hard to resolve
Hi Ryushe. Is your old steering rack still available for sell? Mine is very bad, cannot be reworked.