Author Topic: Steerign wheel play (Read 4173 times)

oldtimer · « **on:** December 17, 2007, 08:59:52 PM »

Just noticed it this week end. My steering wheel has a degree or two play before you can feel the reponse to the wheel movement. Is there some adjustment screw or something to take up the play, like the one's on chevy's? I replaced the rack during the summer.

b318isp · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2007, 07:19:42 AM »

Nope, it's a rack a pinion rack.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2007, 07:58:14 AM »

do you mean play in the steering column?

theres a steering knuckle with a mini guibo... mine started going south, producing some steering play and a tiny clunk over large bumps. I had it replaced with a used one in better shape. Everything is now much improved.

Guys who track their cars exclusively replace the rubber guibo with a metal one, but I don't recommend for street cars, as that's the point where the steering column shears in the event of a head-on.

D. Clay · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2007, 12:17:14 PM »

If it's an air bag car, the column has a slip joint under the dash between the pedals. It has a big nut that takes the play out of the joint.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=32_0480&hg=32&fg=30

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2007, 01:02:28 PM »

whoa, is that the big nut behind the wheel everyone keeps telling me about?

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2007, 04:30:42 PM »

huh, I've never seen that before. Good to know.

jrobie79 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2008, 11:41:14 AM »

Quote from: D. Clay;39676

If it's an air bag car, the column has a slip joint under the dash between the pedals. It has a big nut that takes the play out of the joint.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=32_0480&hg=32&fg=30

what number on the diagram is this bolt you are talking about, cause if its that big one right above the number, i tightened that sucker up and nothing happened. im thinking i should replace that steering knuckle or at least the guibo in there.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2008, 01:45:42 PM »

i just got to the forum to post about that steering wheel play which i feel too
it feels like running on uninflated tires. would that be the guibo. it also almost feel like losing a bit of the powersteering feel. what should i check?

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:21:46 PM »

Quote from: hoevesruperd;40568

i just got to the forum to post about that steering wheel play which i feel too
it feels like running on uninflated tires. would that be the guibo. it also almost feel like losing a bit of the powersteering feel. what should i check?

i'll quote myself since i just did 1+1: powersteering fluid gets thicker when in cold temperatures. driving at -23Celsius sure doesnt help it i bet!

pbgd3skier · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2008, 05:37:36 PM »

The nut is down by the floor, you pull of the panels above the pedals to gain access if this is lose the wheel will be jiggle but it will not cause play in the rack as the shaft is splined together.

The guibo is easiest to check from underneath, but you can grab it from above by reaching down around the powersteering fluid and mastercylinder. Grab both sides and try to twist, there shouldn't be play but it can deflect under pressure held together by large rivets

I would consider jacking the car up, locking the steering wheel and checking for play. If anything is really lose it should be felt as vibration, not just loseness.