Re: Steering Box Parts (archive)

There is a rebuild kit available from BMW, but it will only replace the internal and external seals. It's about $130. Removal of the steering box is a PITA unless the engine is out of the car. If you have any mechanical aptitude, you can rebuild it yourself. It's not an involved process. Only replace the teflon seals, rubber o-rings, and external shaft seals. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE the power steering unit that sits under the tiny 8mm-head bolts. This will screw up the balance of the power steering, and your box is now a huge paperweight.

You can adjust the "center play" in the steering box. The complete instructions are in the BMW factory repair manual for any E24 or E28.

You basically jack up the car, put the key in the ignition to postition 1, remove the steering wheel, install the "breakaway torque" gauge, turn the wheel to center and measure. If the breakaway gauge doesn't slip, then you have to adjust the stud coming out of the top of the steering box. Turning it clockwise will tighten the steering.

Since none of us have the "breakaway torque" gauge (maybe Brett Anderson does), you have to feel the increase in resistance manually. Leave the steering wheel on. Loosen the nut on the steering box, turn the stud counterclockwise about 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Tighten the locknut back. Go to the steering wheel and turn past the center. Turn back toward center. You should feel a SLIGHT increase in resistance as you reach the center point and it will ease up as you pass it. The breakaway torque is somewhere around 4 N-cm, which is a very small torque. Adjust the stud in the steering box until the wheel gives you just a tiny increase in effort as you turn it through the center point. Adjusting the box too tight will lead to internal damage.

JamesM

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