Steering rack - 1990 318i touring

[MadMalx]

My power steering rack seems to be a bit worn - about 1/2" of play at the wheel.

Question is, if I was to change it to a manual rack what parts would I need apart from the rack? Or does it just a straight forward fit?

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

Very unusual for a power rack to be worn like this.
You absolutely sure the wear is in the rack itself?
To do the swap, you need the rack itself and the link between the rack and the steering column where it comes through the bulkhead.
This link has a flexible disc in it, which is much more likely to be your problem.

[MadMalx]

I thought the steering was a bit vague, tramlining bad, etc so 'wiggled' the steering while watching the wheels and with no movement at the road wheel, I had about 1/2" of play at the steering wheel. With the bonnet up, I couldn't see any play in the rubber disc on the column - seems to be moving as much as the steering wheel.

[dazleeds]

max

have you checked the steering wheel splines???

may sound daft but i had same symtoms couple months ago pulled it all apart and nothing then notice the wheels spline was worn out had a couple of near misses b4 i realised as wheel would just slip go check mate ya never know Daz leeds

[MadMalx]

Splines seem fine, think it's pretty certain to be the rack - checked under the bonnet again and however much I move the steering wheel, the column under the bonnet moves the same - only not as much at the road wheel.

Now to decide whether I put a manual rack on it or not.......

Which part of the column do I need with the manual rack? all of it, or just lower section?

[Brianmoooore]

Just the lower part with the flexible disc in it.