Steering Columns - E36: Removal & Installation BMW Z3 E36 facelift

Removal & Installation (318i, 318is, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, & M3 )

1. Remove bottom trim panel screws at left side of center console. (Scheme 5)
2. Pull bottom trim panel to the side out of the clips. (Scheme 6)
3. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Removal & Installation (318ti)

1. Remove caps (1) and screws. Lift trim backwards to remove. (Scheme 7)
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Replace defective cover caps.

Scheme 7

Removal & Installation (Z3, M Roadster & M Coupe)

1. Turn rotary clips (1) through 90° and remove. Pull trim (2) downwards and backwards to remove. Do not damage the guides (3). (Scheme 8)
2. Remove caps (1) and screws. Unscrew trim (2) and pull outwards and downwards to remove from oddments tray (3). (Scheme 9)
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Replace defective covers (1). (Scheme 9)
4. Slide on speed nuts (1). Fit seal (2) on steering column and seal (3) on air outlet (heating) correctly. (Scheme 10)
5. Do not damage guides (1) on the trim (2). (Scheme 11)

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Removal

1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(ref-55473-S24254195602003010800000).
3. Remove lower trim section from instrument panel. See «INSTRUMENT LOWER TRIM PANEL»(ref-55473-S07906178082003010900000).
4. Remove clamping bolt. Pull steering spindle downwards out of spline in upper steering spindle. (Scheme 12)
5. On 318ti, remove bolts. (Scheme 13)
6. On all models, remove collar. (Scheme 14)
7. Remove cable for interlock if necessary. see scheme 8
8. Unlock bayonet ring by turning column counterclockwise. Disconnect all wires to steering column at plug in connections.
9. On models with AIRBAG, unscrew bolt to dashboard carrier. (Scheme 15)
10. On all models, remove steering column bracket shear-off bolts (1). Use a chisel on screw taper and unfasten with a hammer or mill off screw taper. Remove steering column. (Scheme 16)

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Installation

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Pull steering column firmly home towards interior and tighten shear-off bolts until heads shear off.
2. On models with AIRBAG, screw bolt to dashboard carrier. Ensure nut (1), spacer bush (2) (not fitted to US models), washer (3) and screw (4) (US models, 2 screws 8 x 22 mm Z1) are installed. (Scheme 15)
3. Install bayonet in proper order of bayonet (1), rubber ring (2), joint socket (3) and ball joint (4) with teflon ring if necessary. Bayonet must be heard to lock. (Scheme 17)
4. Check position of collar relative to snap ring. Recess in collar locks snap ring. (Scheme 14)
5. Screw must locate in retaining groove of upper steering spindle. See «STEERING SPINDLE»(ref-55473-S42066887572003010900000).

Scheme 17

1. Disconnect ground lead from battery.
2. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(ref-55473-S24254195602003010800000).
3. Remove lower trim section from instrument panel. See «INSTRUMENT LOWER TRIM PANEL»(ref-55473-S07906178082003010900000).
4. Take off collar. (Scheme 14)
5. Remove screws and pull off clip. (Scheme 13)
6. Pull lower section of steering column casing off upper section. On 318ti, loosen both shear-off screws on steering column mount. See «STEERING COLUMN»(ref-55473-S03582797492001011700000).
7. On all models, remove screw and pull off clip. Press retaining hook and pull off switch. (Scheme 18)
8. Unscrew grounding cable. Remove both headless screws and take off starter switch. (Scheme 19)
9. Unscrew interlock cable (1) if necessary. see scheme 8
10. Lift out snap ring (1) and take off with sleeve (2). (Scheme 20)
11. Lift out and remove steering spindle bearing. (Scheme 21)
12. Remove shear-off screws. (Scheme 22)
13. Turn steering lock to position "R". Press down on steering spindle and take off steering lock. (Scheme 23)

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Dowel pin must fit in bore. (Scheme 24)
2. Tighten Torx screws until they shear off. (Scheme 22)
3. Fit bush (2). Fit snap ring (1) with special tool (32 1 090) and steering wheel retaining screw until it engages in groove of steering spindle. Snap ring (1) can also be mounted using special tool (32 3 070). (Scheme 25)
4. Lock headless screws with varnish.
5. Guide both holders of upper section into bores. (Scheme 26)
6. Check for correct position of lock. On 318ti, use new shear-off screws. On all models (Scheme 27)
7. Check position of collar relative to snap ring. Recess in collar locks snap ring. (Scheme 14)
8. Test lock cylinder and electric operation (e.g. ignition, radio, etc.).

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

Scheme 27

Removal & Installation

1. Remove lower section of steering column trim on cars with ring antenna. Using special tool (61 3 300), press ring antenna off locking cylinder.
2. With ignition key, use workshop key for better accessibility, turn lock cylinder to "R" position (radio, windshield wiper, fan).
3. Push special tool (32 3 110) into hole of lock cylinder and swivel handle forward by approximately 90°. Remove lock cylinder.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (With AIRBAG & Sports Steering Wheel)

1. Disconnect battery and cover negative pole or terminal.
2. Remove AIRBAG unit.
3. Turn steering wheel to straight ahead position (markings on steering gear and steering spindle aligned).
4. Unscrew bolt. Mark position of steering wheel relative to steering spindle and remove. (Scheme 29)
5. Adjust contact ring if necessary. Press down spring (1). Turn contact clockwise or counterclockwise as far as stop. Turn back about 3 turns until arrows for center position are aligned. Release spring (1). (Scheme 30)
6. To install, reverse removal procedure. Coat slip ring with grease except on sports steering wheel. (Scheme 31)
7. When attaching steering wheel, lockpin (1) must engage in opening (2) of contact ring. (Scheme 32) Tighten steering wheel bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-55473-S09732982482001011700000).

Scheme 28

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

Scheme 31

Scheme 32

Removal & Installation (With AIRBAG II)

1. Disconnect battery and cover negative pole or terminal. Remove AIRBAG unit. See AIRBAG article.
2. Unscrew steering wheel screw. Mark position of steering wheel relative to steering spindle and remove. (Scheme 33)
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Coat slip rings with grease. (Scheme 34)
4. Tighten steering wheel screw to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-55473-S09732982482001011700000).

Scheme 33

Scheme 34

Removal & Installation (Without AIRBAG)

1. Remove BMW emblem.
2. Unscrew screw. Mark position of steering wheel relative to steering spindle. Pull off steering wheel. (Scheme 35)
3. Coat slip ring with grease. (Scheme 36)
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten screw to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-55473-S09732982482001011700000).

Scheme 35

Scheme 36

1. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(ref-55473-S24254195602003010800000).
2. On models without flexible coupling, remove clamping screws on steering spindle (top) and on steering gear. Slide steering spindle together and remove. (Scheme 37)
3. On models without flexible coupling (except US models), remove clamping screws from universal joint and flexible coupling. Slide flexible coupling downwards. Pull steering spindle upwards out of flexible coupling and remove. (Scheme 38)
4. On models with flexible coupling, US models with corrugated pipes, remove clamping screws from universal joint and flexible coupling. Slide flexible coupling downwards. Pull steering spindle upwards out of flexible coupling and remove. For 4 corrugated pipes (Scheme 39) For 8 corrugated pipes (Scheme 40)
5. On all models, to install, reverse removal procedure. Set steering gear to straight ahead position. For 4 corrugated pipes, install steering spindle with screw (1) horizontal and installed underneath. For all others, Install steering spindle installing screw (1) vertically on engine end. On steering spindle without flexible coupling (Scheme 37) On steering spindle without flexible coupling except US models (Scheme 38) On steering spindle with flexible coupling, US models with 4 corrugated pipes (Scheme 39) For 8 corrugated pipes (Scheme 40)
6. Fit flexible coupling with short flange facing steering gear with right edge (2), viewed in direction of travel, of flexible coupling aligned with mark on steering gear. Slot then points vertically downwards. The edge of the lower joint must align with the marking on the steering gear. (Scheme 41)
7. Ensure bolts engage in locking grooves of steering spindle (top) and steering gear spindle. Replace self-locking nuts and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-55473-S09732982482001011700000).

Scheme 37

Scheme 38

Scheme 39

Scheme 40

Scheme 41