Tighten That Nut Behind The Wheel!

[Don McAdams]

Tightened the 32mm nut on the steering shaft around the firewall/ floor (inside the car)- got about 10 good turns out of it- WoW, drives like a new car, no more road vibrations- I've always heard you guys talk about "the nut on the steering column base", never knew until today- Was very surprised it was that loose!

Anyway, thanks for the tip guys :)

[Bill R.]

http://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/Steering%20Shaft%20copy.jpg
Tightened the 32mm nut on the steering shaft around the firewall/ floor (inside the car)- got about 10 good turns out of it- WoW, drives like a new car, no more road vibrations- I've always heard you guys talk about "the nut on the steering column base", never knew until today- Was very surprised it was that loose!

Anyway, thanks for the tip guys :)

[Don McAdams]

That's it- Thanks Bill! Now I can go back out tomorrow & check for play! Had no idea about that! :D

Thanks for the pic!

[Dan in NZ]

It's well worth checking that one often. Mines always going loose.

[onewhippedpuppy]

How tight do you tighten it?

[632 Regal]

until the telescoping option gets snug to push and pull out.


How tight do you tighten it?

[Qube]

I swear I was ignoring this post (not reading) because I was insinuating you meant the driver behind the wheel! :) Thanks for the post. I'll check tomorrow.

[infinity5]

Thanks for the picture, Bill, I've wanted to check mine but for some reason I kept missing it, thinking it was much higher up the shaft.

[uscharalph]

I swear I was ignoring this post (not reading) because I was insinuating you meant the driver behind the wheel! :) Thanks for the post. I'll check tomorrow.
LOL!!

[uscharalph]

until the telescoping option gets snug to push and pull out.
I've never tightened it, but the telescoping option is pretty snug already.

[Don McAdams]

I swear I was ignoring this post (not reading) because I was insinuating you meant the driver behind the wheel! :) Thanks for the post. I'll check tomorrow.

Hahahaha :D
Seriously, it makes a big difference when tightened up. I cannot believe how loose mine was & the vibration I was getting through the steering wheel-

Give a look at it!

[onewhippedpuppy]

What if you have the power telescope?

[GS535i]

What if you have the power telescope?

.... or have a '90 ( or earlier) with no telescope function?

[Bill R.]

slight click when turning the wheel from center and excess play also. The later telescoping wheel i would decide if you mind the play or if you want telescoping... most people leave the telescoping wheel in one position almost all the time anyway.







.... or have a '90 ( or earlier) with no telescope function?

[skr]

i got an '89 and it has a telescoping weel. was this an euro option?

[Bill R.]

without airbag did..




i got an '89 and it has a telescoping weel. was this an euro option?

[Dan in NZ]

I have an early (11/89) with telescoping wheel. Even when the column nut is completely loose, it doesn't telescope. With the lever open, it pulls in and out a centimeter or so with a lot of resistance. I don't really have a need to telescope my wheel anyway.

A good way to tell if the nut is loose, is with the engine off, quickly turn the wheel back and forth a few times, if you hear a clunking it's time to tighten.

[2fast]

I just tighten mine about 3 turns ,steering feels better.

Love those quick easy fixs :D

[shanek]

I didn't think mine would be that loose with only 90000kms but figured I might as well check it. It was loose, took quite a few turns to get it good and snug.
Quick, easy and VERY noticeable fix.

[Rory525]

Just thought id bring this thread up again as I want to do it...

How hard is it to take the plastic trim off to get into that? Is there a page in the bentley manual explaining it ?

Thanks
Rory

[onewhippedpuppy]

Screws on the underside, as well as pulling off the carpeted panel on the side of the console. Not bad.

[632 Regal]

unscrew and unclip the buzzer so it doesnt hang on the wires.

[uscharalph]

Just thought id bring this thread up again as I want to do it...

How hard is it to take the plastic trim off to get into that? Is there a page in the bentley manual explaining it ?

Thanks
Rory
There are three or four screws toward the top of the panel and 2 of the 90 degree connectors near the firewall. As well as the gong.

[HDhandyman]

How tight do you tighten it?

Yeah--how tight?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I just did mine today, what a difference! I tightened mine about a half turn at a time, then tried the power wheel. When the wheel quit moving, I backed it off until it started again. Just trial and error, only took a few minutes though. Cut my vibrations in half, now with a Roadforce balance it might be smooth!

[e34owner]

I just did mine today, what a difference! I tightened mine about a half turn at a time, then tried the power wheel. When the wheel quit moving, I backed it off until it started again. Just trial and error, only took a few minutes though. Cut my vibrations in half, now with a Roadforce balance it might be smooth!

How loose this nut becomes?
I have all the symptoms, I tried to tighten it with the hand, but I couldn’t move it in any direction.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Mine wasn't finger tight, but it was pretty loose with a wrench. I got 5 or 6 good revolutions with a wrench before I had to back it off.

[Rob]

Seems like this is a very good and easy fix. I will definitely be doing mine up when I get back home. :D

[Rob]

Oh, you guys might as well try get some lock tight, to keep that nut tight. ;)

[Bill R.]

.
Oh, you guys might as well try get some lock tight, to keep that nut tight. ;)

[Rob]

Oh, my bad...

[Interceptor]

I just checked that nut behind the steering wheel today, and it was VERY tight - I couldn't do anything with it. I watched the steering box while turning the steering wheel, and it seems that there is no play between the wheel and the shaft that goes directly into the steering box, but there's still play noticable! Is my steering box shot?

[Rob]

Guys I've just got the VIN number from my Dad in South Africa off my 525i over there. The date it was made was, 1990/ 01. Now, is this classed as a 1989 or 1990 oe 1991 model? and will it also have the same nut as shown in the picture in this thread or not?

Thanks! :)

[kyleN20]

smae here, sounded like somthing i wouldent care about, hahaha, im going to check now, well, i looked, theres stuff in the way.

[Qsilver7]

Guys I've just got the VIN number from my Dad in South Africa off my 525i over there. The date it was made was, 1990/ 01. Now, is this classed as a 1989 or 1990 oe 1991 model? and will it also have the same nut as shown in the picture in this thread or not?

Thanks! :)
the 10th digit of the VIN will tell you what "model" year your car is.
K = 1989 model year
L = 1990 model year

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_89_full.jpg

[Rob]

Very useful, thanks a lot, Qsilver7! :D

[SC David]

I have an '89 without airbag of course, and I'm pretty sure it's not a telescoping wheel. But what is that little black plastic tab that I can pull out at the bottom base of the wheel? Seems like when it's in the loose down position the steering wheel could be repositioned, but it has never budged. Curious.

[ericcamaro]

I took all the screws out of the black panel underneath the dash and took the carpet piece out and still could not get the panel out, What am I doing wrong???

[632 Regal]

dont know...is it loose? If so you have to move it around to get one side or the other to drop down. First time I tried I had to do it 2 times, second time I was more determined. Try again...


I took all the screws out of the black panel underneath the dash and took the carpet piece out and still could not get the panel out, What am I doing wrong???

[peks]

did you take the trim peices off at the top and next to the stereo and remove the screws behind them?

[peks]

oops is he just taking the bottom panel off or the knee panel too?

[E34 530]

I finally decided to do it. Everything came off easy and I was able to get a few revolutions, but now the wheel doesn't telescope because it's tightened to much. It doesn't really matter though because the wheel is in the perfect postion anyways. The steering seems to be a bit better and a little more firm. The only problem occured when I went to put everything together again. The stupid heating/AC vents wouldn't go back into place and I went crazy for hours trying to get it to fit right. Two hours later, a smashed flashlight because off my anger, a few choice words, and a pair of ripped jeans because of my anger, everything was back together :p .

[632 Regal]

I nominate you for Moderator or "assassin" as it will come to be known.
Two hours later, a smashed flashlight because off my anger, a few choice words, and a pair of ripped jeams because of my anger.

JK

[ericcamaro]

Im just trying to get the bottom piece off not the knee bolster. I will try again tommarrow if it is not tooo shitty out. I got a lil angry too, its a bad position to try to work in. It killed my back and my neck. well see if its worth it after im all done.

[shanek]

I did mine a while ago and it is totally worth doing. I was very surprised at the difference it made.

[Kristuphir]

I just checked that nut behind the steering wheel today, and it was VERY tight - I couldn't do anything with it. I watched the steering box while turning the steering wheel, and it seems that there is no play between the wheel and the shaft that goes directly into the steering box, but there's still play noticable! Is my steering box shot?

Time to have a look at your tie rods, and maybe the wear adjustment on the steering box itself...

[t_marat]

I checked mine and it is very tight. I cannot turn it either way. But still noticeable play. Steering box? I can see and feel play at the place where the steering column enters the steering box.
The steering wheel is harder than on other BMWs. Is it because of the nut being so tight?

[632 Regal]

if you put your hand on the collar nut and turn the wheel you should be able to feel play. The nut has break away torque and takes a but of power to crack loose. I lodged a wrench on it and turned the steering wheel to crack mine loose then got almost 2 turns to snug it back up.



I checked mine and it is very tight. I cannot turn it either way. But still noticeable play. Steering box? I can see and feel play at the place where the steering column enters the steering box.
The steering wheel is harder than on other BMWs. Is it because of the nut being so tight?

[adamisbomb]

http://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/Steering%20Shaft%20copy.jpg


i got all the stuff on the bottom off, but i dont have a wrench that big. ill get one tommorow, i couldnt move it by hand it was greasy too so yeah ill try it tommorow.

[632 Regal]

It will have a lot of break away torque, crack it loose by lodging the wrench and then turning the steering wheel, then tighten as desired.
i got all the stuff on the bottom off, but i dont have a wrench that big. ill get one tommorow, i couldnt move it by hand it was greasy too so yeah ill try it tommorow.

[Alexlind123]

I did mine not too long ago. What a difference!

[sKilled]

Thanks for the pic - did know which rubber bit people meant to check. Pitty there's no rep system. Kudos to you anyway.

[nixter]

Hmm, I've been unable to budge my tilt/telescope since I've owned the car! I'll have a look under there soon.

n

[SC David]

Hmm, I've been unable to budge my tilt/telescope since I've owned the car! I'll have a look under there soon.

n
Ah, is this why I haven't been able to either?! We shall find out :)

[OneBeLow]

Hmm, I've been unable to budge my tilt/telescope since I've owned the car! I'll have a look under there soon.

n

you have tilt?

[nixter]

i don't know, maybe not. Just assumed they were both stuck.

n

[OneBeLow]

i don't know, maybe not. Just assumed they were both stuck.

n

LMK how it goes, mine has telescoping but no tilt, there was a thread on bimmerforums on how to make your own tilt...damn I couldnt find it

[acidfire52]

LMK how it goes, mine has telescoping but no tilt, there was a thread on bimmerforums on how to make your own tilt...damn I couldnt find it

Really?? I would be very interested in that if anyone has the link. :D

[swenpro]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577406&highlight=tilt+steering+wheel

[OneBeLow]

found it...

http://www.mmmobileworks.com/gmannino/pics/P1010132fdsa%20(4).JPG
http://www.mmmobileworks.com/gmannino/pics/P1010132fdsa%20(5).JPG
http://www.mmmobileworks.com/gmannino/pics/P1010132fdsa%20(8).JPG
http://www.mmmobileworks.com/gmannino/pics/P1010132fdsa%20(14).JPG

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577406

[swenpro]

just "one below" me :D

[OneBeLow]

just "one below" me :D

just below me

;)

[mamilapon]

No, do you have tit?

[mamilapon]

Tightened the 32mm nut on the steering shaft around the firewall/ floor (inside the car)- got about 10 good turns out of it- WoW, drives like a new car, no more road vibrations- I've always heard you guys talk about "the nut on the steering column base", never knew until today- Was very surprised it was that loose!

Anyway, thanks for the tip guys :)
Just did mine. Got 5 full turns out of the ole' nut. Haven't driven it yet though.

[tazman]

I got a 1991 525i. I just tighten mine after reading this thread. got about 3 full good turns. Now the steering column does not go back or forward. May be I tighten the nut too much? Anyway don't need to move the steering. But I still feel that the steering is lose for my liking. Recently I changed my front strut insert and left tie rod assembly. Need to do an alignment. May be after the alignment it will be ok? Is there any other things I can do to make the stearing feel harder. It feels like lose stearing in an american car. :(

[tazman]

wow what a difference. The steering is just perfect. I fell in love with my car again. :) sssh don't tell that to the wify

[brick8]

For those of you have done this, which way do you turn the nut to tighten it. I did mine clockwise a few turns (when looking at it from above) and it didn't seem to make much difference.

[ILoveMPower]

Eh, my wheel doesn't telescope... does it still have this?

[zhandax]

I don't care who designed that piece of ductwork under there... I would'nt piss on his head if his brain was on fire.

[zhandax]

which way does the nut turn?
Somebody should have mentioned this...UP is tight. I ran mine down almost far enough for it to come loose until I noticed (It is not really convienent to look while you are doing this). If you jam the wrench against the footrest and turn the steering wheel, turn the wheel clockwise to tighten. If you go the wrong way, look and you will see the threads.

[brick8]

Thanks, I think I must have gone the wrong way. I think I turned the nut clockwise (when looking down from the steering wheel). Oops!