Align steering rack and steering column X5 e53 4.4i ´04

[Spiffster]

Hi!

I have changed my steering rack on my ´04 X5 e53 4.4i and I am about to mount the lower steering column. But since I have changed the steering rack I don´t have the exact position on the spindle on the rack for fitting the steering column.

Is there any good advices for how to align the rack and the column? I see that there is 2 marks on the spindle on the rack. Do I use these for alignment? I know the position for the column, but there are so many splines on the spindle that I do not know how to align in perfectly.

Petter

[kmm111]

"technically" your supposed to turn it all the way to one way & then turn it back to the other way counting the teeth turns. then divide that number by 2 & turn it back that amount of teeth. I personally just eyeball the center position as it's final position is adjustable during the alignment as long as your close.

[80stech]

I can't remember exactly what it looks like but there is a lug/tab that lines up on the rack and coupler that is exact center. I think you could even put a vice grip on it to hold it there when doing an alignment.