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In Reply to: Dilemma - Steering Wheel posted by Kurt on June 10, 2000 at 15:57:52:
It took all of about 15 minutes. Easy to figure out, undo the plastic screws, remove the false cap on the hood release unscrew it, off it comes, off comes the hard plastic kickpanel trim. Then remove the upper/under the dash black cover
(4 plastic screws)(one mysterious elec switch no one told me about fastened to black under/cover, I will have to find out what it goes to later)
off it comes,
Remove the Uphl colored trim piece in a U shape going around from door to consul just under the dash instrument and steering column area by removing two phillips head screws and pulling straight out to bring other screws out of press plugs in the metal backing of the inner/under dash.
Then looking under I found a piece of hard black plastic heater pipe that had a phillips screw, I unscrewed it, then jockey the long hard piece back and forth till it pops loose and then
"Presto", lying on my back I can see the whole steering assembly all the way from just behind the back of the steering wheel down to where it disappears into the engine compartment.
What I found surprised me. It seems that Justin was right after-all when he said he had to replace a coupling in his steering shaft assemb.
If you remember I had been told by several BMW mechanics (professional) that there was virtually nothing that could break under there, "If it was the same as most other BMWs". Well, either they were wrong, or the 850 is different from most other BMWs, because there is (and it shows in the steering wheel/column diagram of parts etc.) a rubber coupling #17 that is a U-joint of sorts that connects on one end to the "lower(underdash)shaft assembly" #15, and on the other end to the Flange #16,(which is a small metal piece with splines fitting over the steering wheel shaft as it comes down from the area behind the steering wheel and is held firm not to be moving by a bolt that tightens it. This rubber coupling can definitely break, tear, rip, wear out and come apart leaving you no steering.
Anyway, this coupling 17# is mounted to the flange #16 on one end and to the lower shaft #15 that heads down toward the eng compartment on the other side of the coupling.
So the coupling #17 is a very thin 1/4 thick round piece of rubber with fiber insides that has 4 holes in it. Two bolts from the flange #16 go into two of the holes with nuts to hold them tight from one direction (just under steering wheel) and the other two holes are for two bolts that come from the lower shaft assembly #15 that heads down for the eng compartment.
So this round piece of rubber with 4 holes in it, with 4 bolts pushed through and held by 4 nuts is obviously a direct U-joint type of link in the steering wheel/column (under dash) steering shaft assembly.
If this rubber gets old and tired and decides that it doesn't want to hold together any more....for whatever reason....then it simply rips and tears and comes apart....as it has done on my car.
It is not the Dealers fault, unless the service technician purposely cut it or ripped it or ignored normal wear and tear, or didn't notice it. But, I hate to think that any of those possibilities are feasible, I would hate to go through my daily life thinking that. So I will choose to think that it just happened one day as it just finally after 9 years decided to wear out and come apart!
The main message here is that every one of you with an 850 has the same weak rubber link in your steering (under-dash)shaft assembly. Unless it was changed somehow after 1991. Should be easy enough to check out with the parts books.
Anyway, it looks simple to replace. Remove 4 nuts from 4 bolts and slowly remove the old torn shredded rubber piece and put in a new strong piece and place it carefully over the bolts of the lower shaft #15 on one end and then over/into the bolts of the flange #16 and replace the nuts to the proper torque and you are done and you have good steering for another 5 to 10 yrs.
However, it is such an easy thing to check, it would seem a good idea to check it out when you have the lower dash trim pieces off for any other repairs or work such as speakers, heater stuff, electrical etc. etc. With those lower pieces off all you have to do is lay on your back, take a light that shines up and reach up and check it with your hand or watch it as someone turns the wheel (turn it yourself-eng running power steering) etc.
If the rubber shows cracks or tears or looks dry and brittle or the bolts seem to be wearing oblong holes in the rubber, then replace it.
Amazing revelation to me today. Now all I have to do is find a new rubber coupling piece on late Saturday or Sunday.....and I got it made!! :-)
I hope this information helps anyone who is interested and those in the future who begin to notice strange happenings in their steering especially when everythiing under the car, steering arms, joints, gears linkage etc. all look fine. Then it would be a good idea to check this very easy to find rubber coupling under the dash.
Have a good weekend gentlemen and thanks again to all who helped.
Kurt
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