NHTSA Complaint #10526005 — 2004 BMW Z4

THE STEERING ON THE CAR BECOMES NOTCHY AND TWITCHY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IN WARM WEATHER. THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP LIKE THERE IS A FLAT SPOT SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. IT TAKES EXTRA PHYSICAL EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING OFF THAT FLAT SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP RESPONDING TO DRIVER INPUT FOR A SHORT RANGE. THEN SUDDENLY START WORKING AGAIN AFTER EXTRA APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL. WHEN THE STEERING IS IN THE NOTCHY/TWITCHY CONDITION IT WILL PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION BECAUSE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE PROBLEM IS GREASE ON A BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE BEARING IS NOT SEALED AND THE GREASE IS EXPOSED TO HOT TEMPERATURES. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE BEARING WITH A NEW IMPROVED VERSION, BMW DOES NOT OFFER THE BEARING ON IT'S PART LIST, BUT DOES RECOMMEND REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $4000.00. *TR