Idler arm bush life

[pingu]

My steering is a bit sloppy (about 2cm each way).

After a service at about 143,000 miles, one of the two Indys that I use said the steering box was worn and couldn't be adjusted.

The idler arm bush has never been changed.

Everything I've read suggests that the steering boxes simply don't wear out, at least not at that sort of mileage. I'm kinda wondering if the first Indy was feeling a bit too busy to start fiddling around with the steering box.

At the next service (with the other Indy that I use), would it be worth my while getting the idler arm bush replaced, in the hope that it might help tighten up the steering?

Thanks!

[632 Regal]

couldnt hurt to replace it. The steering boxes almost require the removal of the engine to play with the adjuster which may buy you a few months.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/steering/steering_box.htm

Maybe you'll give it a try?

[632 Regal]

easy as pie...

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

[Robin-535im]

easy as pie...

1. Pull up rear seat bottom and disconnect battery anode.
...
16. Replace both splash pans and re-connect battery,install seat bottom
What kind of pie you been eating?