Steering column refresh - bearings replacement
 

I'm tracing a noise on steering that I've isolated to the steering column. A combination of light clicking and slight scraping.

Anyone here who happens to have done all the steering column bearings?

While I'm there I'd like to do all the bearings and I've identified the following. Am I on the right track?

For the upper steering column I am seeing 2 bearings, numbers 2 and 7 in the diagram?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_31t.jpg

And the for the steering column lower joint assembly I see 2 plastic rings number 3 in the diagram?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_1qpr.jpg

I saw a nice diy on here for upper steering column upper plastic bearing, nothing yet on the rest of the bearings/rings.

I'm watching with interested

Steering joint is a known wearing item but never heard of the axle bearings causing trouble. Slight scraping could be the clock spring.

My similar noises turned out to be the u-joint.

+1 on the clock spring for the scraping noise.
I think that's a whole unit which includes the signal switch and a bit pricey, I needed to do mine but was a looong time ago.

Thanks for the tip on the clockspring, will add to the list to check.

Any tips on confirming?

We were poking around underneath and inside the car, we didnt find play on the usual steering rack to column u-joint, and rack itself. At this point we think its above that, so column.

Clock spring will sound like it's coming from right behind the steering wheel, because that's where it is! ;) The u-joint shaft assembly will make an annoying clicking sound that seems to be more audible in the car and is a common (and expensive) problem. The green plastic seals (no.3, lower diag.) can make noise but a bit of silicon or similar spray should help with diagnosing. I think it's pretty rare for the bearings to give any trouble.

Thanks guys for the input so far!

It does sort of come from directly behind the wheel sometimes, but then again when we removed the kneepad it seemed to be from the lower column too.

$350 for the clockspring, jeez! There's a Bremmen for less than half but...it may be you get what you pay for.

I just remembered IIRC there is a paddle shifter mod that involves putting on a heated steering wheel version clock spring to get a path for the wiring from the shifter to the wheel. If I need to replace the clockspring might as well rig up paddles too lol!

EDIT: so I thought I misremembered as the E53 paddle shift retrofits I found looking now involved an E46 SMG steering wheel ($$$), bit I found a DIY for the E38 that will probably work.

Putting the link.here to so I dont lose it lol!
HowTo-> Paddle shifters from Mercedes on a E38 and yes it works! (long)

@80stech, when you replaced your clockspring, did you happen to compare both?

I'm wondering, if it were the clockspring, could it be tested by pulling the wheel, removing the clockspring, and manually spinning it left/right (within the range of motion of steering of course)?

@Clavurion @Henn28, had a tech turn the steering with another feeling the joint and no movement according to them.

No, I'm a mechanic so I knew what the noise (probably) was right away. There is a chance something else is rubbing so take the wheel off before you order if you want to make sure.
I did have the clicking from the u-joint and that was not easy to pin down exactly but it's very common so very likely that is a problem.