Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

Ok, earlier in the thread i said our temperature here is ave of 30-40 degrees celsius everyday, just the other day went on a trip, temperature is 32.5 degrees and on a straight cemented road doing 50 km/h with sport mode off, steered a little to the right then it sticks to the right, it does not go back to the center, same thing when steering to the left, it sticks to the left.

On the steering sound, I do not get knocking sounds, just sounds as if something was loose from the steering(came after EPS replaced) while moving, and this servo type noise when steering left or right at very low to no speed at all.

I do not have the sport package. basic 2.5 with auto...

The last problem I had was a trip from Orlando to Cocoa Beach. 45 min, drive. Had the Air on but the problem was with me the whole trip,. The air did not make any positive improvement for me...

After the car sat all day in the hot sun, before I started it, I opened the hood and hosed down the steering column and rack with cold water. I ran the water for a while. It should have cooled everything off. Result: no change, the setting was still tight.<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/sagan/wet2d.jpg">
'03, 3.0, 6-sp., Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Top, Black Leather, Sport Pkg., Convenience Pkg., Premium Pkg., CD-Changer, Xenon, Butt Warmers, Universal Transmitter-Mirror, Mud Flaps, Chrome Tips, 2 Under-Seat First-Aid Boxes, Drilled CDV.

respective service departments all to alert BMW NA/PUMA that this issue is TEMPERATURE related. I believe if BMW NA/PUMA gets a dozen of identical symptoms in a short period of time, they will take this issue more seriously.

I'm afraid if my service shop is one of the few service shops that have gotten to this point, then they're only going to see this as an isolated issue... which it obviously isn't.

When I park my car in the sun for a half day, my steering feels terribly heavy and gets 'stuck' when I enter a gentle curve and let go of the wheel. Turning off sport mode makes no difference, nor does turning on the A/C. I first started noticing this about 2 weeks ago.
When I park underground, I don't have the problem. It is directly related to how long my car is parked in direct sunlight, and ambient temperature allowed to rise. Also, this also occurs when my car is parked with the top down, and air allowed to circulate.

high temperatures like you do in the USA, at least that's one Z4 problem less for us!

Regards

sequence programmed into them? It seems everyone is having this issue come to light now....

I smell a massive recall.

You're quote about it sticking is just like mine

This happens a lot of the time regardless of the temperature - in toronto the temps have only gotten up to the mid 20's (celsius) and have noticed this odd behavior...where it will just stay in the direction you point it in

Try flicking the steering wheel less than 15 degrees one way, then back to center and then back that same way - you will notice quite a lot of resistance at that point..

makes me wonder??@!?!

"Ok, earlier in the thread i said our temperature here is ave of 30-40 degrees celsius everyday, just the other day went on a trip, temperature is 32.5 degrees and on a straight cemented road doing 50 km/h with sport mode off, steered a little to the right then it sticks to the right, it does not go back to the center, same thing when steering to the left, it sticks to the left."


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2004 Z4 3.0, Titanium Silver/Black
Premium, Sport - 18" Star Spoke Bolted
Canadian Edition
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5/03 here.

6/03....

production date specific.

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2004 Z4 3.0, Titanium Silver/Black
Premium, Sport - 18" Star Spoke Bolted
Canadian Edition
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Can actually bend. Perhaps at high temps the metal is causing some binding to occur. I wonder if this could be such a problem....more mechanical than electrical/computer related, particularly because those who have had the EPS replaced continue to experience problems.

BMW should be able to figure this one out.

Personally, no problems yet. But then again, temps have not been anywhere near 90.

Marc

you could look at it as if you had a recall issue that isn't addressed... regardless of whether you're in the region that is affected or not.

I don't think I would ever be at altitudes with the temperature requirements for vapor lock to happen... but I went in on that recall ASAP. I don't like knowing that there is a defect with my car, whether or not I'm going to be affected.

have had that recall fuel pump resistor put in?

That's the only electrical change I've had to the car since I've owned it... and I know it didn't drive like this last summer.