Lower steering-column UJ on X5

[Windymiller]

Just found out that the 'sticky' steering on my girlfriends '02 X5 is actually the lower UJ on the column jamming up now and then. BM say I need to replace the entire lower shaft (£470 fitted at my BM indy)

Someone in the US has suggested soaking this into the joint, but I'm not sure if it's available in the UK. Anyway, aside from that, how do I get to the UJ? Guessing it's in the engine bay, but do I access it from below or above?

Think it's this...