Removal and installation steering rods (BMW 3 Series E30)

Removal

Loosen the wheel bolts.

Raise the front of the car and remove the wheel.



Loosen the nut securing the steering tip joint. Press out the steering tip joint using a suitable puller.



Release the tension strap and slide off the corrugated cover.

Bend back the counter-bend.

Loosen the steering rod lock nut using BMW tool 322100 or 322110 (on vehicles with steering damper). If a special tool is not available, loosen the steering rod using a pipe wrench or a 32 mm spanner.

Examination

Rotate the steering tip joint in different directions. If it moves easily or if there is play, replace the steering tip joint.

Check integrity and sealing (no traces of grease) cuffs. If the cuff is damaged, replace the steering tip joint.

Installation

Measure the old tie rod. Screw the tie rod end onto the tie rod, maintaining dimension -c-. Lock the tie rod end.

If necessary, clean the steering knuckle joint pin and the seat on the steering knuckle arm from grease.

Check and replace the corrugated cover if necessary.

Tighten the steering rod with a new locking nut.



Protrusion "1" on the locking piece enters into notch "2" of the toothed rack.



Tighten the steering rod to a torque of 75 Nm. In workshops, a 32 mm flat spanner mounted on a torque wrench is used for this purpose. Such a wrench can be made independently from a 5 mm thick steel sheet.



Bend the lock with a pipe wrench.

Caution: To avoid damaging the rack, do not bend the counter-bolt with a hammer under any circumstances.

Put on the corrugated cover and secure it with a tightening strap. Do not allow the corrugated cover to twist.



To install a retaining ring on a corrugated cover, place a piece of thin sheet metal bent into a cone on the corrugated cover and slide the ring along the cone onto the cover.
Insert the steering rod into the steering linkage arm. Tighten the new self-locking nut to a tightening torque of 35 Nm.

Put the wheel on.

Lower the car.

Tighten the wheel bolts crosswise to 110 Nm.

Check the alignment.