Steering gear — removal, repair and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Note: When installing, you will need new tie rod end joint nuts, steering gear mounting nuts, intermediate shaft tie rod bolt and line fitting sealing washers.

Removal

1. Chock the rear wheels and apply the parking brake. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands (see "Raising and Supporting the Vehicle on Jack Stands"). Remove both front wheels, then remove the screws and engine underbody guard.

2. Loosen the steering rod joint nuts and remove the joint pins from the steering knuckles using a puller.

3. Use a marker to mark the position of the intermediate shaft coupling relative to the steering gear shaft.

Note: Some models already have marks on the pinion flange and on the steering gear housing. Before disassembling, align these marks (Fig. 21.3).

4. Unscrew the coupling mounting bolt (Fig. 21.4).



5. Clamp the power steering hydraulic hoses near the hydraulic reservoir. This will help reduce fluid leakage. Label the hoses (to facilitate subsequent assembly), then unscrew the bolts of the pressure and return hose fittings. Remove the sealing washers. Prepare for fluid leakage. Place a container under the hoses (Fig. 21.5). Plug the ends of the hoses and the openings in the steering gear to prevent fluid leakage and dirt from getting into the hydraulic system.





6. Unscrew the bolts and nuts securing the steering gear and remove it from under the vehicle (Fig. 21.6).

Repair

7. Inspect the steering gear for wear and damage. Make sure the rack moves smoothly and without binding throughout its entire range. Make sure there is no play between the rack and pinion. The steering gear cannot be repaired. If any of its parts are damaged, the entire unit must be replaced. You can replace only the rack boots, tie rods, and end joints. The procedure for replacing these parts is described later in this chapter.

Installation

8. Install the steering gear and insert the mounting bolts. Screw new nuts onto the bolts and tighten them to the required torque.

9. Install new sealing washers on both sides of each hose, insert the fitting bolts and tighten them to the specified torque.



10. Align the marks made before removal and connect the intermediate shaft coupling to the gear flange. Insert a new tie bolt and tighten it to the specified torque.

11. Insert the steering rod pivot shafts into the steering knuckles, screw on new nuts and tighten them to the specified torque.

12. Install the wheels and engine guard, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel mounting bolts to the specified torque.

13. Bleed the power steering hydraulic system (see paragraph 23).