Never Again Rack and pinion

[Firstbmw528]

Never again rack and pinion for sure took over two hours to seperate the old from the steering column and three hours later I have to go back at it in the morning because there is a quarter inch or a little more that wont seat. probably going to lower the subframe farther as I have seen suggested to ensure everything lines up.


Also broke a motor mount lifting the motor to do the rack and pinion. It has been a rough few days hopefully tomorrow is a new start.


Any tips on how to get this fully seated the car is a 98 528i with the m52.


motor is lifted as high as I can, sub frame is dropped a little and screw driver has been used to spread the jaws this work way better than other tries at first but now I am stuck again and at my wits end.

[WBAD530i]

your issue is the subframe still being slightly dropped.

The rack doesnt seat into the splines on the column unless the subframe is in the normal resting place. Once you jack the subframe up all the way you should be able to get it in there with some prying and wiggling to let the upward force of the subframe push it in. If its already started it should be fine. Just make sure that thin piece of metal goes into the slot on the column.

[Firstbmw528]

So fully tightening the subframe and rack and with jostling it will work itself on? Ok ill keep that in mind

[Ateyourv8]

What WBAD530i said! Bolt the subframe all the way back up. Whenever I do rack jobs I clean the teeth on both the rack and steering column with a wire brush And spray some lubricant on them. It also helps to tap with a hammer on the rack near the shaft when trying to fully seat, which will give it that little push. But be careful not to spin the steering wheel when it’s seperated from the rack and in pretty much free spin, can cost you a new clock spring and the steering wheel won’t be straight. Good luck!

[WBAD530i]

Yeah for the most part. I wouldn't fully torque down the bolts, but put them is loosely so its aligned where it needs to be. Then use your floor jack/wood combo to jack it up that last little bit as needed and work with the rack/column to get it seated. It's annoying. Especially when doing this with the car on jack stands, but it'll go.

I remember using my pry bar for this as it was frustrating being my first time doing it. Just be careful where you are using the leverage on the bar. You would use it to kinda pull the shaft into place.

[auaq]

I'll be honest I didn't had to fight on mine during my steering overhaul. I was able to pry it out with little resistance. I did make sure to thoroughly clean the threads with a wire brush and then sprayed a little bit of WD-40 on the shaft/threads to make it easier to go back in.

[Firstbmw528]

Thanks for the WD40 Idea I'll have to try that as well and also about the prying idea I am so afraid to hammer on it I don't want to mess it up. I'll report back after I try some more today.

[Firstbmw528]

So far I got all but an 1/8th of an inch but it’s as though the column isn’t long enough it just won’t go on

[auaq]

Did you make sure to line up the shaft to the rack?

[Firstbmw528]

Yea it seems like it’s getting stuck on the dust cover but it just won’t go the last bit.

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But for the sake of being thorough what’s the procedure for lining it up and lining up the dust cover

[Firstbmw528]

The damn thing bolted higher than I thought and I was chasing more splines for no reason 2 days wasted

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