Inspection, removal and installation of the steering gear (BMW 5 Series E28)

Inspection

1. Jack up the vehicle and securely place it on axle stands.

2. Firmly grasp each front wheel at the top and bottom, then at the front and back, and check for play in the steering linkage by rocking the wheel back and forth. There should be no play in the linkage joints, only a very small amount. Inspect the steering arm, idler arm, center tie rod, inner tie rods, tie rod ends, and pivot arms for damage. Try to move the steering linkage parts apart. There should be no play between them. If any parts are bent or damaged, or if the joints are worn, replace those parts.

Removal

1. Before disassembling the steering gear, obtain a suitable tool for removing the ball joints. A two-jaw puller or a wedge-shaped tool will do (although this tool may damage the hinge caps). Sometimes it is possible to remove the pointed hinge pin from the socket by hitting the back of the socket with two large hammers in succession, but there is not always enough space for this, and the pin often gets stuck in the socket due to rust and dirt. There is also a risk of damaging the component.



2. To remove the outer tie rods, disconnect the tie rod ends from the steering arms (see section Removal and installation tie rod ends). Loosen the ball joint nut on the inner end of each outer tie rod to the center tie rod. Use a ball joint remover to disconnect the outer tie rods from the center tie rod. If you are replacing the ball joint on one end of the outer tie rods, mark the threads with paint so that they are installed in the same position when reassembled.



3. To remove the center tie rod, loosen the nuts securing the center tie rod joints to the steering arm and swing arm, and use a ball joint removal tool to disconnect the joints from both arms.

4. To remove the steering arm, you will first have to remove the steering gear (see section Removal and installation the steering gear). Look for alignment marks on the shaft and the steering arm. If there are none, mark them on the bottom of both parts. Remove the steering arm pinch bolt and nut, then use a puller to remove the steering arm.



5. To remove the swingarm, first remove the small cover bolted to the top of the subframe crossmember. Place a wrench on the bolt and loosen the nut recessed in the bottom of the crossmember. Check the swingarm rubber bushing for wear. If it is worn or damaged, replace it.

6. Check each joint for excessive play, jamming, and damage to its dust-proof rubber cover. Replace any damaged or worn hinges. The inner and outer tips of the outer tie rods can be replaced separately; if any of the center tie rod joints are damaged or worn, the entire center tie rod must be replaced.

Installation

Install in reverse order, keeping the following in mind:

1. Align the marks on the steering arm and steering shaft during assembly.

2. If you are replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends, install them so that the previously applied marks are aligned and make sure that they are the same length on both sides.

3. Install the tie rod end joint pins on the outer rods at an angle of 90° to each other.

4. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left outer tie rods are equal after installation.

5. Tighten all mounting bolts to the required torque.

6. After completing the assembly of the steering gear, check the front wheel alignment angles and adjust them if necessary.