Anyone replace this part on their steering column?
 

#1 in this diagram?

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2f246c34.jpg


I'm looking for the cause of rattle/clunking in the steering column.

With the steering wheel centered, turning it left or right very slightly will cause a rattle/clunk you can feel through the steering wheel. It occurs engine running or not.

I see posts referencing the steering coupling (#2 in diagram above). I checked this by having someone turn the wheel back and forth with my hand on the coupling. I could hear the clunk but could not feel any problem with the coupling so I ruled it out for now.

This clunking/rattling problem occurs on e46's as well, and on those cars it can be caused by a part they call the steering coupler, which is a rubber bushed steering joint whose riveted parts can fail and cause looseness and noise. I was looking for it's equivalent on E53's and it looks to to be integrated at the end of part #1 on the diagram above (it's a separate part on E46's). This turns what is a $30 repair for E46 owners to a $200 repair for us E53 owners. :rant:.

Anyway, so I am wondering if anyone has replaced this part because of noise/excessive steering play? I havent seen this part referenced by any E53 owner yet.

Still no pic. Link goes nowhere. Maybe you didn't copy the whole url address.

I had that clucnk in the steering on my 02 X5, had to replace the steering shaft. I greased the joint in the shaft and it would go away for a while.

Pic fixed!

Harj, I tried lubing the joint (#2 in diagram) with lithium grease spray, no change and still clunks.

I had the exact same symptoms on my 02 4.6is and replace the steering column u-joint (pictured) and it all went away. Very right steering now.

Hey X5Alpine, just to clarify, it's #2 you replaced in the diagram?

Yea

Ok, thanks brah! Off to do more research on this!