Stiff steering

Daytriff

Regular Member
Joined
May 26, 2022
Points
13
I have just purchased a red 2000 Z3 and I notice that the steering is quite stiff. Is this normal or have I got a problem? I live in West super Mare if there is anyone on the forum that might help.
 

mwpe

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Points
178
Location
Camberley
Model of Z
3.0
It depends by what you mean by stiff. The steering is definitely heavier than most moderns but better for it, the Z3 has great feel.
 

Rod and Kate

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 11, 2021
Points
143
Location
York
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Quite, mine does track, sometimes new tyres may help? Check bushes and track Rod ends. Think alot of cars suffer from scuttle shake. hope this helps.
 

Andy 4D

Zorg Legend
Joined
Jan 2, 2020
Points
79
Location
Glasgow
Model of Z
Z3 Individual 2.0
My Z had intermittent hard then soft steering issues when I bought her 3 years ago but quickly realised there was a filter in the power steering reservoir. I swapped out the old reservoir for a cheap Meyle brand, flushed the system through with new fluid from Halfords and have had no problems since. Some times it’s just a simple fix. This might not be your problem but worth looking into. The filter on the reservoir is not interchangeable, it’s just part of the system and if it hasn’t been changed in the past 20 years then it’s well worth doing. Can’t promise a quick fix but £15 or so for a new revervoir + a couple of bottles of Halfords automatic transmission fluid…£15 ….shouldn’t break the bank…..pretty sure it’s automatic transmission fluid that’s needed and not power steering fluid as you would think. I’m sure someone will clarify as I’m not at home just now to check my service history. Hope this helps.
 

AntStark

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 15, 2021
Points
143
Location
Hampshire
Model of Z
2002 3.0 Sport
New tie and track rod ends transformed mine. Squirted some lithium grease on the uv joints on the steering column too.. not sure if that helped or not. Steering is much stiffer and heavier compared to a modern car
 
Last edited:

Daytriff

Regular Member
Joined
May 26, 2022
Points
13
Thanks guys for all the advice. I will slowly work through your suggestions starting at the cheapest.😎and I will let you all know. Many thanks again
 

IainP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Points
125
Location
Out of my Tree, North of Perth, Scotland
Model of Z
1.9
The steering is slightly heavier than modern fwd, it should not however be stiff.
Jack the front up and cycle lock to lock. If it’s stiff it’s because this
36C1698D-FFDB-402B-B169-EA4AD37B027F.jpeg
the column steering joint, is in the process of seizing.
Known problem on the e36, don’t bother trying to free the uj’s off, it doesn’t work. If buying a s/h one make sure both uj move freely.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Pop up to Zedshed West (Lydney) not too far away this Saturday and happy to have a look-see. There will be a few of us there AM to early PM.
Message me for directions if you are interested.
 

Daytriff

Regular Member
Joined
May 26, 2022
Points
13
The steering is slightly heavier than modern fwd, it should not however be stiff.
Jack the front up and cycle lock to lock. If it’s stiff it’s because this
View attachment 231686
the column steering joint, is in the process of seizing.
Known problem on the e36, don’t bother trying to free the uj’s off, it doesn’t work. If buying a s/h one make sure both uj move freely.
Thanks, I will try that and see if there is a problem with the joint.
 

Daytriff

Regular Member
Joined
May 26, 2022
Points
13
Pop up to Zedshed West (Lydney) not too far away this Saturday and happy to have a look-see. There will be a few of us there AM to early PM.
Message me for directions if you are interested.
Many thanks for the invite, unfortunately I have a previous engagement this Saturday, so I will go to the meeting in W-s-M next month. I believe it is on the first Wednesday of the month. Many thanks again for the invite.
 
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