Re: Do you only need to remove the cylinder? (archive)

Thanks for the help. So far I've been able to do everything as you tell me, but I can't remove the upper cover from the steering column... It's riveted... At least it eases me that a thief will have a hard time hot wiring my bimmer!!!!!

The Bentley Manual? Had it, lost it. I'm not getting a new one because I'm moving to NYC and I have to sell the car.

If all you're doing is replacing the cylinder, it should be fairly easy. I've never done it, but the Bentley Manual covers it- sort of. Remove the upper trim on the steering column. Bentley doesn't say how to do this, but I would start by removing the steering wheel, then the lower trim. (There are a few design differences between my '86 and your '85 involving the steering column.)

On top of the lock, there should be a small hole near the end where the key goes in. Stick a small screwdriver in the hole, and insert the key and turn, then pull. The cylinder should come out. Bentley has lots of pictures showing the steering column partially dismantled. In case nobody has mentioned it recently, the Bentley manual should be in the trunk of every DIYer's e28 528e, 533i, or 535i.

I can't find the way of removing the starter switch on my '85 535i. I'd prefer to do it my self since I just called a locksmth who wanted to charge me $100 for removing it and raised the price to $225 when he found out it was a BMW.

Rafael B�ez

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