Steering Bushing

[grady]

Spring arrived in Houston and out came my 280i (1986). I notice that my steering column had suddenly developed some up-down play. The column-to-dash end is tight but the firewall bushing has completely separated.
Which leads to the obvious questions 1) What is the bushing from? 2) The bible mentions substituting a metal bushing - anyone know what will fit? 3) Do I have to remove the steering column or just the steering U-joint to change bushings? Grady

[grady]

Just to complete this thread, installing the replacement stock bushing (from the engine side of the firewall) ultimately required unbolting the steering rack to gain enough clearance to replace the bushing. In the process the shop lost the centering mark so they also had to remove and re-center the steering wheel. 3 hours labor but well worth it.