Steering Problems (the continuing saga)

[Kevin-Ct]

[cmd512]

From what my service advisor described, they upload their case and see if any other service shops respond with similar findings and/or fixes. Enough of the same cases, you got something that's worth highlighting to BMWNA.

Not sure what the acronym stands for though.

My Z4's still in the shop... they're going to replace both the steering column/rack and EPS... I'll post results once I get my car back. Should be pretty easy to test, it's about to hit 100F consistently here in Texas nowadays.

[cmd512]

[z4toledo3.0]

How can we make sure that our service departments also mention it to PUMA?

[cmd512]

1) You've been keeping up with this issue with fellow Z4 enthusiasts and you know it is not an isolated case.

2) Let him/her know that there are service advisors around the country already escalating this issue through PUMA right this very moment.

If they give you some bs response, then they probably are the type of advisor that hates informed customers... and won't do anything about it. As much as that sucks, all you can do after that is maybe talk to the service manager.

[Kevin - Ct.]

I did get them to log my problem in the customer data file

the service rep said he hadn't heard of the problem b4 but we are only just starting to have some warm weather

I felt the wheel bind again a little this afternoon but not as bad as last week

but I figured I would register the problem with NHTSB so that at least they can track all the owner reports

the defective air bag warning light had to be replaced since it was on all the time

fuel pump recall complete

[cmd512]

.. AT ALL!

[cmd512]

BMW said they've already seen a few cases with this. There seems to be a electrical short in the EPS that is most noticable when it gets hot.

Kevin, my service advisor, also said they have to recalibrate the steering sensors and stuff after putting in the new EPS... not sure if that has to do with anything or if that's standard procedure.

He's going to talk to his shop foreman again and shoot me out an E-mail when he gets a better description of everything... I'll post it here.

[Kevin - Ct.]

[cmd512]

"I just spoke with my shop foreman. The EPS unit is actually the entire steering column, servo motor, and steering angle sensors. So when he was saying EPS, it actually meant the entire system, all three pieces."

I guess this is the official fix for it. However, with all of you guys with new "EPS's" and still having this problem, I don't know... I'll report back and let you guys know if all this did the trick.

[Zfortunate1]

No, it did not seem to be tempurature dependant. Looking back I seemed to sense a slightly "overtight" movement to the steering wheel at speed but never really thought it to be connected to the occasional rubbing noise while turning at low speeds.

good luck,

Zfortunate1
2003 Z4 2.5 titanium/black/black leatherette
2000 540i/6 Anthracite/grey
2001 K1200LT (retired)
2000 K1200RS (retired)

[duds]

I posted earlier this week about the "steering Lock/Binding " problem on our trip to Cocoa Beach ( 92 to 95 temp) Problem existed the whole trip. I used the Z again yesterday. On the morning trip to the office (70 to 75 temp)..no problem On the tip home(90 to 94 temp) the problem was back. This issue is definately impacted by temp. I called Fields BMW in Orlando. They have not run across this problem before ?? Appointment schedueld for 7/7. I will keep you posted.

[Sagan]

Thanks,
Are you sure they are going to replace the EPS system AND your rack? I\'m surprised they would do that. If they replace both units, and the problem is fixed, they won\'t know which piece was causing the problem and will have to replace both pieces on the other affected cars. That seems like an expensive way to go (replacing two pieces when one is the cause). Also, if they replace both and the problem does not go away, they know nothing. One of them may have a design flaw, but they won\'t know which one, or it may be something else entirely, like an electrical problem originating elsewhere that varies the power getting to the steering system. Replacing multiple systems concurrently is not a good idea when troubleshooting. Good luck which ever way they proceed. Keep us posted.

<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.

[cmd512]

[cmd512]

Picked up my car... which had a chance to sit out in the 90F heat for a few hours before I picked it up. Second I drove it off, I could tell the steering was sticking again... and even worse than before... the car had a mind of its own.

Good news is, when my service guy got back from lunch, he and the shop foreman went for a drive and were pretty taken back at how bad it was. They had a talk with the technician, who swore it wasn't doing it earlier. So long story short, it's back in the shop to hunt down this elusive bug.

And I'm back in the loaner... ugh.

[cmd512]

not the problem. Let them know that you know two other people that have replaced their EPS that did absolutely nothing.

It is most CERTAINLY temperature related... because when I had my car when it was nice and in the 70's, this problem went away.

But now that it's back in the 90's, it's definitely back again.

[cmd512]

[cmd512]

[Sagan]

jleydmar@copper.net

[cmd512]