Help changing E30 325i steering universal joint

M3Frank · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:46 AM

Hi all.
Have a friend who has the problem where the universal joint rubber that joins the steering column knuckle has worn out and has tons of play in the steering.
Looking at his car, it seems he has the type that is riveted in place rather than bolted in. Looking on realoem it would seem that the riveted type may be replaced as piece. How does he replace the rubber on the riveted version ? Do we need to remove the complete steering joint ? Had anyone removed the assembly , cut off the rivets and replaced them with locking nuts ? I can't see why not.

Thanks in advance.

DTME30ic · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 02:47 AM

The official BMW repair is to drill out the rivets and replace them with bolts with self tightening nuts. BMW have 4 bolts, nuts and washers for this. I had to do this a few years ago.

Part numbers should be on the ETK

M3Frank · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 02:52 PM

Thanks for that. Thats exactly what we ended up doing and its all good.
Cheers,
Frank.