Author Topic: 1995 318i rack (Read 2298 times)

lqbanotxano · « **on:** February 02, 2012, 07:08:07 PM »

The guibo was really on there rusted & I could not have gotten it off, last Saturday. My mechanic had to do it & he had a hard time but...it's done. All the part on the shifter are "new" (complete shifter kit from Pelican Parts) New Z3 shifter. Man what a difference shifting...incredible.

It turned out my tie rod ends were fine. It was the steering shaft lower flex joint that was bad. A new one was $60.00 from the stealer...but it would take till next week to get it & my car was up on the mechanic's lift. I knew where there was a 1995 318i that I had been getting parts from (only a block away). The used flex joint felt solid & it had been on the rack & "inside" the car. After haggling & $20.00 later, I was out of there. The rack is still back there. It looks good...dry with no fluid all over it. Tie rods are attached & they look good. The junkyard wants $100.00. Anybody need a rack?

Houston, Texas.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:21:23 PM »

I saw a post recently about an upgraded poly guibo for the steering shaft. Odd coincidence to see this twice in less than a month...makes me think I should be checking this out on my car...she's developed a shimmy and I'm thinking this may be my trouble too.

lqbanotxano · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2012, 06:40:45 AM »

Go under the car & grab both sides of the flex joint with opposite hands. Twist them in opposite directions....back & forth. You will notice slop there if it's bad.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2012, 07:05:18 PM »

That said, it is very unusual for them to fail. On a 318is, it is far more likely for the compression nut under the dashboard on the steering shaft to be loose and causing slop and clunking. It needs to be torqued down HARD.