Steering wheel play

[Weasel]

The metal double joint has a habit of causing a binding on some high mileage E53's, a good soaking with penetrating lube offers temporary relief but doesn't fix the worn parts. I'd call this one preventative maintenance as it is a part that can/does cause issues when worn.

[RichardSA]

I had this exact same problem. The dealer replaced the nuckle joint on the steering column and this improved the issue but did not solve it. The issue was then diagnosed as worn gear and bushes in the steering rack. The worn bushes were easily seen when removing the rubber boots as steering fluid had leaked out through the bushes and filled the boots.
The steering rack was replaced and now there is no clicking/knocking at all when making big or small movements to the steering wheel. The front end feels really taught and quiet and makes the car feel new again

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by RichardSA

I had this exact same problem. The dealer replaced the nuckle joint on the steering column and this improved the issue but did not solve it. The issue was then diagnosed as worn gear and bushes in the steering rack. The worn bushes were easily seen when removing the rubber boots as steering fluid had leaked out through the bushes and filled the boots.
The steering rack was replaced and now there is no clicking/knocking at all when making big or small movements to the steering wheel. The front end feels really taught and quiet and makes the car feel new again

when you say that they change the steering rack you mean the lower joint assembly or the hole steering rack from under the car?
thanks

[bosanci28]

after doing few more tests today i come to conclusion that maybe my lower joint assembly is bad ,i guess,

here what i did:

i did test first,the
inside cab ,and nothing is moving,i put my dear wife to turn left/right the steering wheel and me i put my hands on the steering shaft to see if any movement up and down when turning,but was none!,
then i did the same test under the hood,and when i put my hands on the double joint and go up and down i can see little movement ,not much but is there and my wife said that she was feel it to the steering wheel when i was going up and down,,


so now question remains can the lower joint assembly here be changed,,is there a bearing or..?



thank you friends!

[RichardSA]

Initailly the lower joint assembly was replaced. Then the whole rack was replaced. It is called Hydro Steering Gear in the parts manual.

[Foose]

What kind of work is involved in replacing the double joint? Will a diy'er be able to tackle this.

I've been having the clicking/knocking steering feel since '06 3k miles on the odo. I only drove 14k miles four years later and haven't noticed any changes. However, I'm not so sure down the line...

[RichardSA]

Foose - the dealer did both jobs on mine so I can't comment.

[Brit6]

What kind of steering rack did they install? A Remanufactured ZF one?

Mine has the same problem with the loose bearings, tried a used rack with 1/2 the milege and same issue, so i'm trying to source a better one that isnt $2000 including core charge of $500 from the dealer.

Originally Posted by RichardSA

Foose - the dealer did both jobs on mine so I can't comment.

[RichardSA]

Originally Posted by Brit6

What kind of steering rack did they install? A Remanufactured ZF one?

Mine has the same problem with the loose bearings, tried a used rack with 1/2 the milege and same issue, so i'm trying to source a better one that isnt $2000 including core charge of $500 from the dealer.

Brit6 - The dealer originally refused to cover the rack as the car had just come out the mainteneance plan and so I considered a remanuafctured item as it was 20% of the cost of a new rack. The local ZF operation assured me that it really was as good as new as all moving parts are replaced and only the original outer assembly is used. It also carried a 12 month guarantee - the same as a new rack.
I then had a fairly protracted fight with the BMW customer care centre and they eventually agreed to replace the rack with a brand new item their cost as the dealer had failed to diagnose the issue correctly before the vehicle was out of plan.

[Brit6]

My indy mechanic install the reman ZF rack and a brand new double-joint and steering shaft. My steering is now smooth going left to right and there is no more clunking coming from the rack below. Finally i can say this issue is fixed