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Steering sticks to central position

I do not have BMW, but I experience pretty much the same problem! My car is Skoda Octavia (essentially VW Golf under the hood). The steering feels fine below 100km/h. Above it noticeably starts sticking to the central position as described here. It definitely also depends on temperature.
I started to focus on this issue a bit more and found out that it does not feel sticking at lower speeds just because the power steering is helping a bit more and gets over the "locked center" position easier, but the sticking is there. If I move the steering wheel faster, the feel is not there. The power steering probably also helps to get over it.
It is possible to feel it also on standing car with the engine turned off. Then it is very strong.
It feels to me like if some magnet holds the steering in position - is it an issue of the power steering motor? There is also a torsion bar in the steering that is used to measure force on the steering from driver. This could also maybe cause this kind of behaviour (?)

steering problems

as above i have a 2003 z4 and also experience steering problems at different times some days its perfect other days its hard to steer like as if i lost my power steeringand also noticed will not centre would be nice if someone found a cure

Z4 Sticky Steering / The Temperary Fix

Add another to the list. 2004 Z4 2.5 ~ In Texas Cool mornings no problem, hot afternoons and it rears its ugly head. Now have 52000mi. 1st noticed it last summer at about 39K. It's always felt to me as if the sticking was happening high in the steering column like close to the steering wheel so the following made sense to me! Here's maybe some good news, I found the following 'possible' temporary fix on another blog site, haven't had time to try this on mine yet but I plan to in the next few days so here it is folks what someone else did that fixed their sticking steering and the hopeful temp fix----

If you remove the panel under the steering column (6 screws) pull the telescoping wheel all the way up, you can clean and re-grease the column shaft. Then work it in by sliding the wheel in and out and turning left to right. Again not a permanent fix but not hard to do. You don't have to remove the column. I just did mine and it's never felt smoother.

The 6 screws and panel look easy enough but after removing the panel exactly what did you do to lube the shaft? Can you see the bearing at that point? did you use a lithium grease or some other lubricant?

Follow the steering shaft down from the wheel and you will come to a shinny shaft. This is the inner race of the bearing. The bearing is inside the upper part of the column. When you pull the telescoping wheel in and out it slides up and down this stationary shaft. I used white lithium grease on my fingertips and coated the shinny part of this shaft. Easiest when the wheel is all the way up and pulled all the way out. Oh and I took the lower half of the steering column cover off too. 2 screws. One near the wheel unlock lever and one on top by the instrument cluster. Then it pops apart. Then just work the grease into the bearing by pushing the wheel in and out while turning the wheel side to side. Hope that's clearer.

Steering problems are real and sometimes scary!

Purchased a used 2004 BMW Z 4 in February, the steering was fine until the daytime temps started reaching 65 degrees. Now in April with temps averaging above 65, this has really become a problem. It isn't too bad in the city, but kind of scary on the highway at high speeds. The steering "sticks" in one position, if you need to turn slightly to follow a curve, you have to give it a quick but slight turn, then it sticks in that position and you have to counter turn it back to where it was, were it will stick again. My vehicle is not under any kind of warranty, and was hoping this was a simple fix, however it doesn't sound like it. If people say this is normal, they are crazy.

Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

Hi Guys

I'm having the same problem for my Z4 as well. Meaning i just need to replaced the steering column will do (even though it will not solve my problem permenantly). Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Z4 Steering - Possible fix?

I have had my 2004 Z4 for about 5 years. I quickly noticed the steering issue that many other have complained about and tried to fix. I thought someone described it very well when they said the power assist seems to come and go as you drive, causing the car to constantly over-correct as you drive down the road...usually in a somewhat zig-zag path.

I only drive my car in the summer and store it in my garage in the winter. I always disconnect the battery for storage. A couple of years ago, i took it out of storage and a few of the lights on the instrument panel no longer worked. On example was the outside temperature indicator which only had a couple of dashes instead of numbers. I didn't worry about it.

Eventually, I took the car in for routine service. The service writer informed me that everything checked out good, but a few sensors on the car needed to be reset since apparantly the battery had become too weak or had been disconnected at some point. This caused the sensors to require resetting. The service technician reset the sensors so all of my indicators on the instrument panel then worked. He also mentioned that if it happened again, reinitialize the sensors by turning the steering wheel all the way to the left and then all the way to the right (or vice versa). That process will reinitialize the sensors (according to him).

That was in June 2011. It wasn't long after that I realized I didn't have the steering issues anymore. My assumption or hope is that reinitializing the sensors also apparently reinitialized sensors in the steering system. And these sensors apparently make the system work properly.

I have no proof of this other than the fact that my car doesn't have the problem any longer and driving is much more pleasurable.

C Harter (cdharter3@yahoo.com)

Just did mine. Shame on me for taking this long to complain to this entity or BMW. On a hot day this car is nuts in terms of steering.

Z4 steering problem

In regards to the steering problem the proper agency to contact and file a complaint is; the national Highway traffic safety agency their telephone number is; 888-327-4236, these are the people that will investigate how large a problem this is and if it is noteworthy of a recall. In other words, if enough people complained to this particular agency something will actually get done like a recall! I just got through filing a complaint with this agency do not waste your time with the Bureau of automotive repair they are a toothless agency and are worthless to this particular cause! So people that have this problemFILE A damn complaint! Even if you have paid to have this repaired. File A complaint if you don't file a complaint you might as well bend over now and wait for the next time you get screwed

03 Z4 steering problems

This problem is no myth, my Z 4 with 95,000 miles has the same mysterious steering problem, I 1st noticed it at 75,000 miles when I bought the car, I was driving to Oregon one Christmas in the snow and the exact symptoms described in this thread were happening to my car. As soon as I got into warmer climate the problems seemed to dissipate, however in temperatures above 75° the problem occurs again and increases in severity as the temperature climbs,, I was going around the turn at high speed on the freeway and I literally had to jerk my steering wheel to correct back to center which scared the hell out of me and I'm fearless!!!!! I have heard something about a recall, is there any truth to this rumor? And who do I speak to to increase the odds of a recall happening,,.. I love my Z 4 because it's so much fun to drive, but this steering problem takes all the fun out of it!!!! and it has all the potential of becoming a lethal problem,,, help!!!!!!

Z4 steering

I have a shop up here in BC. One of my customers has this problem. The only difference being his vehicle does it all the time.
I did some research, BMW did produce a service bulletin stating that they were aware of the problem and were looking into it. That was back in 2004.
I also talked to the local BMW dealer and, although they were tight lipped about the problem, explained to me that they succesfully repaired this problem previously at the cost of around $2500.00.

Phil Harts Auto Repair Ltd

BMW Z4 steering lock up

My 2003 with 29k does it. Just like you mention. Took it in last year - to a BMW dealer that I did NOT buy it from (used). They said it was OK - just the "high performance" steering package. Sounded goofy - but? Took it out of storage this year - and it has gotten worse. At 70mph, you have to almost break the wheel free. And the car swerves at that speed before you can counter the trun. Going back to where I bought it. Fortunately I bought a Warrranty. We'll see. With all I have recently read, don't see how they can say this is unheard of.

Re: Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

Having steering issues with 1998 328i BMW, please help?

Re: Oh... and here come his forum bros

Re: Oh... and here come his forum bros

Re: Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

I experienced the same problem with daughter’s 2006 Z4 with 28,000 miles. I drive her car only occasionally. The first time I notice it was when I took it to the track last fall and on the straight section, when hitting speeds over 100mph, I felt that the car would not track straight but since I seldom drive at those speeds, I just assumed it was a result of the high speed or perhaps the track.

I noticed it again several weeks ago during a trip on the highway at about 60 mph and higher. I didn't connect the two incidents at the time and felt that perhaps is was a slight alignment problem and was going to take it in to a shop that understands alignments and sports cars. I stay away from the dealers on these types of issues because you can’t talk to the mechanics. There are just too many layers of people there and only the government has a bigger bureaucracy than the BMW dealer.

Before I had a chance to take it in for an alignment, I took it in to the dealer to fix the broken light lens on the bottom of the interior mirror (still under warranty). As I picked up the car and started to head home, I notice that the steering didn’t want to correct itself completely and wouldn’t track straight. I turned around and went back in. A senior tech went for a drive with me and he acknowledged the problem, although it was slight. It was 80 degrees outside and the car had been baking in the sun for several hours so maybe that is what brought it on. Some of these posts say it’s more apparent when the inside of the car is hot. The tech thought it was the EPS. Said that some of the units had problems in the past. He called someone and that person pretty much confirmed the problem so I left the car with them.

He said that the entire steering column would need to be replaced. Hopefully that solves the problem. Lucky me, the warranty is still good for another 7 days!

Re: Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

If you feel it is a safety issue, file a formal complaint with NHTSA:


NHTSA Complaint Site

If they get enough complaints, it greatly increases the odds that BMW will finally address this issue and issue a recall. BMW will not do anything, IMHO, unless the Government twists their arm. And the government will not do that without formal complaints.

Be sure to include your VIN if you do file a complaint, as it increases the odds of action.

Re: Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

I am having the same problem with the steering on my 2004 Z4. On warm days the steering seems like it just locks up and you have to continue jerking the steering to keep the car under control. In the winter months the car is ok. I love the car but if this problem were to go away it would be more exciting to drive in warm weather. BMW needs to come up with some sort of a recall before someone gets hurt.

Re:thought we were crazy-bad steering in hot weath

So my wife and I both thought we were nuts, we both felt it but didn't say anything until one day (temp at about 98degrees) is was unbareable! It wasn't until I saw this post that we felt like we weren't just losing it~ I mean perfect steering in temps below 85??? Unheard of! we are taking it to the dealership in the morning. The worst part is we bought it last Sept (cool weather) and the warranty ran out in May (still fairly cool). Didn't start "acting up" until June.. Ofcourse! It is quite bazarr to leave the garage in the morning with it handling like a dream and 4 hours in the lot at work in the middle of summer and you may as well be driving home in a used go-cart. We have filed a complaint with the NHTSA thanks to the posts here. I suggest we all do the same to see if MAYBE they do something about it. Meanwhile- I'll prepare for the fight with the dealer tomorrow since we are 3 months out of warranty on a car with only 26,000 miles. Helluva thing when you've waited 40 years for a car that won't steer.

Re: Agree.....

hey johnny quest, i have a z4 can u tell me how they fixed it, and what part was redesign

Re: any known fixes yet

File a formal safety complaint with NHTSA. Be sure to have your VIN handy when you file the complaint online, as having the VIN get the complaint much more attention. If NHTSA get enough complaints, it will open an investigation which may lead to a recall. And pass the word to any others you know that have this problem.


NHTSA site to file safety complaints