Looking for a decent steering box for 91 525

[Dave M]

I posted in the classified section, but I'm afraid its rarely visited.

Anyhow, I'm hoping someone has a lower mileage unit without play in the centre. Mine is way over the hill....

Thanks for reading,

Dave

[632 Regal]

Wish I had a little 6 instead of the monster V8. My box is real bad, reminds me of one of those antique cars at the theme parks. Any clue if yours is servotronic (?) or not? I dont even have enough room to look at the box in mine.

[Dave M]

Ha, I don't envy you. If you drop something in your engine bay, it may not hit the ground, ever :D Mine is easy to see, its not servotronic (no wires to it).

It might be a good small business to get a proper bmw steering box rebuild going, with gears et al. Its getting more difficult to find boxes in any state of repair and I'm not sure I trust the shiny new new ones on ebay they call re-manufactured.

Anyhow, if you know of any good sources, lemme know.

Thanks Jeff,

Dave

[632 Regal]

Apparently the ebay rebuilt ones have actual new parts in them. We had a discussion a while back regarding this and they do make replacement parts that they use in them. Other than that it's trying to find low mileage usits via craigslist and ebay or junk yards. We have a pick a part here and they have one, haven't seen the car yet but it also has the V8 so it's not an option lol.

[Dave M]

Apparently the ebay rebuilt ones have actual new parts in them. We had a discussion a while back regarding this and they do make replacement parts that they use in them. Other than that it's trying to find low mileage usits via craigslist and ebay or junk yards. We have a pick a part here and they have one, haven't seen the car yet but it also has the V8 so it's not an option lol.

Hmmmm, new gears? I'd pay a few $100 bucks for my steeering back. If I do, I'll be sure to report back to the board.

[632 Regal]

32131139285 (32131139681 Rmfd) is for 03/92 - 06-96 530 and 540 only, wonder what is up with that? Probably clearance issues. *has 7 bolts on top.

32131121813 (rebuilt) is for your car, supercedes 32131139735, 32131137505, 32131135629 and 3213114265 *has 4 bolts on top.

So if you ebay search you might want to search all numbers that fit your car. 4 bolts fit your car 7 bolts don't.

[Dave M]

Hey Jeff, I ordered this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221841846821

Hopefully tightens things up. I'll let you know.

[632 Regal]

Looks like that unit comes w/servotronic.... Not sure how the box acts with that not hooked up. It also says nothing about being rebuilt, just seals and bearing. The only other one I saw that rebuilds them costs 350 + 250 core! I didn't do a lot of research on this though.

I don't like that part numbers these guys use, no way to cross that with the stock #s. Let's hope for the best.

Edit: Also says it fits 94 & 95 530 which goes contrary to what I found in the above post I made. No pictures of the adjustment side of the box to see if it's 4 bolts or 7.

[Dave M]

Looks like that unit comes w/servotronic.... Not sure how the box acts with that not hooked up. It also says nothing about being rebuilt, just seals and bearing. The only other one I saw that rebuilds them costs 350 + 250 core! I didn't do a lot of research on this though.

I don't like that part numbers these guys use, no way to cross that with the stock #s. Let's hope for the best.

Edit: Also says it fits 94 & 95 530 which goes contrary to what I found in the above post I made. No pictures of the adjustment side of the box to see if it's 4 bolts or 7.

Its 4 bolts. Not sure why it lists 530, but if you choose 540, it states it doesn't fit. The servotronic can be left unconnected. I did some research and many others have disconnected servo from from cars that were spec'd with it as they found it better. Regarding rebuilding internals, I could not find a source that confirmed they replaced internals.

We'll see how it goes.....

[632 Regal]

Very interesting. Take some pictures of your old box and the new one. Include if they have part numbers too.

Here is what I found quickly searching ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E34-525i-530i-535i-89-95-Power-Steering-Gearbox-Gear-Box-/201044159135?hash=item2ecf2a6a9f:g:h7UAAOSwZ1lWcgY V&vxp=mtr

Right now that's the only rebuilt one out there for 525/535 E34.

[Dave M]

Yeah, thats in my watch list. If the other one doesn't work out (if it has play right out of the box), I'llbe attempting to return it and will likely get the reman'd one.

[632 Regal]

for 299 your gold, they figured out how to fix them. Can't wait for results.

[632 Regal]

Did you try to tighten that adjuster on the top of the box? Some say it works and others say it dont.

[Dave M]

Did you try to tighten that adjuster on the top of the box? Some say it works and others say it dont.

Yeah, I tried it. All it did was get was stick in the middle. Its ttally worn out. I'll be getting to the box replacement soon and will post results.

[Dave M]

for 299 your gold, they figured out how to fix them. Can't wait for results.

Yeah, so you may read, they sent the worng f'in box. I'm returning it and will try again. After getting mine on the bench, I noticed the pitman arm connection to the output shaft was lose, which may have been part of the issue. Once tightened, there was very little play in the box. In the meantime, I may reassemble everything and check all other sources of play.