Removal and installation the steering rod (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Mark the position of the front wheel relative to the hub with paint. This will allow the balanced wheel to be installed in its original position. Loosen the wheel mounting bolts with the car on the ground. Raise the front of the car and remove the wheel

2. Remove the lower engine compartment cover, refer to Section Removal and installation the lower engine compartment cover.

3. Remove the steering tie rod joint from the steering knuckle using a puller, refer to Section Removal and installation the steering rod end.



4. Loosen the clamp and slide the cover back.

5. Push the rack as far as possible to avoid possible damage to the rack and its supports.



6. Unscrew the steering rod from the toothed rack (arrow on the illustration).

Installation

7. Measure the toothed rack. If a new steering rod is being installed, screw it in to ensure the dimension taken when measuring the old rod.

8. Tighten the tie rod end clamp nut to 80 N·m.

9. If necessary, clean the steering rod joint pin and the seat in the steering knuckle from grease.

10. Check the cover and replace it if necessary.

11. Secure the steering rod to the toothed rack with a torque of 100 Nm.

12. Put on the cover and secure it with the clamp. Make sure that the cover is not twisted.

13. Insert the tip into the steering knuckle. Screw a new self-locking nut onto the steering rod joint pin and tighten to 65 N·m.

14. Reinstall the wheel so that the markings applied during removal match. Pre-lubricate the wheel disc seat on the hub with a thin layer of bearing grease. Do not lubricate the wheel mounting bolts. Replace rusty bolts with new ones. Secure the wheel with bolts. Lower the car onto the wheels and tighten the bolts crosswise to a torque of 100 N·m.

15. Install the lower engine compartment cover, refer to Section Removal and installation the lower engine compartment cover.

16. Check the track at a service station and adjust if necessary.