Steering link disconnect

[kestor]

US left hand drive 280i, trying to disconnect the steering ujoints
I have loosened up all ujoints and the main rod won't slide enough in either direction to come apart. I tried the top and bottom ones as well.
Any suggestions?

[phillpot]

kestor said:

Any suggestions?

Un bolt the rack and move it forward ?

Pull steering column out a bit?

[mrzigazaga]

Make sure you have made a note of where the UJ's are on the shafts...they are probably stuck on there, once the bolts are out then as said pulling the steering column back should release the top UJ....then the joining shaft will be easier to remove...


Ziga

[adam quantrill]

I've done this before and you don't have to unbolt the rack. Yeah probably move the column - pull the wheel back.

[Grady]

First time my bushing was replaced, the mech said he had to move the rack. When I redid the bearing, I removed the the steering column. Somewhere in the process, I removed the clamp that holds the in-out movement. Be careful as the clamp handle contains a small spring.

[Steve_D]

OP you say the bolts have been loosened but they most likely need to be removed as the shafts probably have grooves in them that the bolts lay in preventing the joint coming off the shaft.
I say probably as some shafts are different.

Steve

[adam quantrill]

Ahh yes - that too - quite often there is a groove that the bolt lies in preventing disassembly.

[mrzigazaga]

Steve_D said:

OP you say the bolts have been loosened but they most likely need to be removed as the shafts probably have grooves in them that the bolts lay in preventing the joint coming off the shaft.
I say probably as some shafts are different.

Steve

Yep definitely remove the bolts completely...

[Grady]

Ha- Forgot to mention that too.

[Steve_D]

Just looked again at the photos and can see a bolt and a missing bolt in each joint.
If you want to remove the shaft without removing/releasing the rack then all bolts must be removed so the shaft and joints can be removed far enough apart to release the shaft from one of the joints.

Steve

[350zwelgje]

I put the joint in such a position that it can be taken off without moving the rack or steering column.
Need brute force to dismantle and put it on as well. It doesn't slide off that is for sure.
Rob

[kestor]

Appreciate the help!
With the steering column loosened up I was able to get enough movement to get the lower shaft to slide free. It appears that the firewall bushing is shot so I get to add that to my list....

[mrzigazaga]

kestor said:

Appreciate the help!
With the steering column loosened up I was able to get enough movement to get the lower shaft to slide free. It appears that the firewall bushing is shot so I get to add that to my list....

Its worth doing the bulkhead bush and the UJ's makes a whole lotta difference to the steering..any play in the system after that would be in the rack...which if its hasn't been rebuilt then would also be beneficial...

[Grady]

If you are not up to speed on the "fix", here are a couple of links with internal links to the UK vendor(s). Google the part and that will get you a vendor in the US (~$20.00). Mine needed a 3/4" bushing with no fitment issues.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=5&...