Adjusting the steering rack

[Speedtouch]

My '88 325iSE recently passed its MOT but there was an advisory of slight play in the steering rack. The Haynes manual says you have to remove the rack to adjust it, but is it possible to do it in-situ?

TIA,
Maurice,
E. Kent

[bottlecapE30]

i have never heard of ajusting the steering rack. not sure what there is to ajust?

[cliffybabe]

I have never heard of this i know u can refurb and buy tear down kits etc

[Brianmoooore]

There are shims, etc., to set up most racks from new, but there's no adjustment for wear.
Trackrods and their balljoints are available seperately.

[Speedtouch]

Oh, OK, thanks for the replies. Maybe the Haynes manual is wrong then. It mentions about any knock or slackness being adjustable by removing the rack, sticking it in a vice and turning an adjuster ring nut once you've undone a few items...I guess it's probably better to buy a new rack once you've gone to all the trouble of taking the old one off though! The car's done 125,000 miles. To be honest, the steering doesn't feel too bad at all - i'll live with it for now

Maurice,
E. Kent

[Brianmoooore]

Haynes manual for the E30 (1948) specifically says that no adjustment is possible to the steering rack.
You've been looking at the manual (276) for the pre E30 3 series, which does have an adjustable rack.