530 steering box Holey Crap!

[632 Regal]

I just decided I am skipping this project!


IF YOU HAVE A V8 (530i - 540i) Procedure from Michael Evans
Well, look where the steering box is located, as you can see, there is no room up top to adjust it.
Be sure to disconnect the battery prior to touch anything.

1. Pull up rear seat bottom and disconnect battery anode.
2. Jack up front of car and put on jackstands.
3. Remove both front splash pan and rear splash pan
4. Remove 4 nuts on top of plastic engine shroud and remove shroud.
5. Remove 4, 10mm bolts that hold metal heat shield under steering gearbox and slide out by tire(one bolt is thru an access hole, use extension)
6. Remove the two nuts (17mm and 13mm) under gusset that hold the front engine (rubber donut) mounts to frame.
7. Place piece of wood(10"x2"x8") under oil pan and place (3 ton) floor jack under wood. Gently jack-up engine until the lower engine bolts just clear their holes by 1/2".
8. Using 13mm socket(on 1/4" drive) remove nut on rear of steering box that holds heat shield and a a/c spacer. Remove same bolt on top of box. Now slide out the heat shield to the rear and remove.
9. Douse the adjusting nut on top of steering box with WD40
10. Using 17mm socket, 3/8 short extension, 3/8 long extension and two 3/8 univ joints, snake down from top of engine comp't and with tbar break the adjusting nut loose.
11. Turn steering wheel 1 turn CW. Make sure nut is loose and using 4.5mm allen key turn CW til nut is tight then back off a few hairs and snug-up nut. Turn wheel throughout range. You want no slop and no tightness. If too tight back-off. When feels good.
12. Tighten nut. I used a 1/4"rachet with 3/8 adapter to 17mm socket.
13. Retest steering should be silky smooth - no slop.
14. If OK Replace top heat shield and bottom heat shield.
15. slowly lower middle jack making sure mounts(bolts) go into holes. Then replace mounting nuts
16. Replace both splash pans and re-connect battery,install seat bottom

[Messerschmitt]

It made a big difference on my 1994 530i. You might want to tackle it on a day off though.

Messerschmitt

[632 Regal]

While Im in there I should plan things out and replace the steering hoses and whatever else I wont ever do because of the PITA factor. I have a slight bit of play but havent had the chance for anyone help me to isolate it.

[DueyT]

Jeff, that beats the crap out of the timing belt on my Jetta TDI!!!

Duey

[Jeff N.]

No big deal...just jack up the motor a bit to get it out of the way.

Of course, on the 535i, you just reach down and tweek it.

[632 Regal]

Im just kidding, the 3.5 is very close to the power and I never rode in one so I have no comparison.
I just wrenched on it tonight but refused to venture into the steering box view.