Can I lower my steering column?

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oldskool_fool
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:00 pm
Location: Sunny North Wales, Flint

Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:10 pm

Hey, i've just recently fitted a deep dish steering wheel and now it feels like it points straight up, a little too high, i'm 6ft 5 so I sit low and quite far back anyway lol,

I just wondered if there was any way of lowering the column a tad? It's a 94 touring 1.8,
Taa, mark.
Don't take life too seriously, you'll never make it out alive ;)
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Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
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Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:29 pm

Yes, I usually drop mine about 1/2" at the column top mount. There are two bolts that hold the column up which you need to remove and replace with longer ones through a custom made box section spacer. When the bolts are out, force the column down a bit to bend the bulkhead slightly where the column goes through, to avoid leaving anything under stress.
The main problem you will encounter is that the two bolts you need to remove are of a special thief resistant type, where the heads shear off when the correct torque is reached, leaving a smooth sided cone. A chisel can be used to loosen them, or, if you have a welder, you can weld something on to them that you can grip with a tool. You can use a grinder to put flats on the side of them as well.
Normal 8mm bolts can be used to replace them.
ross_jsy
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Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:47 pm

Just use a grinder to cut a slot in and use a flat head screwdriver, easiest way.
oldskool_fool
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:00 pm
Location: Sunny North Wales, Flint

Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:07 am

Awesome! Cheers guys, i'll have a pop on my day off and let you guys know how it went
Don't take life too seriously, you'll never make it out alive ;)
Quaser
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Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:46 am

good idea!
BMW E30 2.0 Convertible (M52B28)
BMW E30 2.0 2 Door (M20B28 Turbo project to start)
BMW E36 328i Sport (M52B28 Turbo Project)
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