steering column

[gooner1]

Hi ,trying to get steering column shroud off but its not having any of it.Bottom one was easy but the top one is a b>>>>>d.there is no tilt mechanism on my steering column : annd theres no room to manuovere it off.Short of actually breaking it i cant see what else to do,its trapping wires as well ,dont tell me ive got to take centre console and facia off, please.

[ClemQjeronimo]

have you taken the steering wheel off?

[ClemQjeronimo]

have you taken the steering wheel off?
2 screws behind that

[gooner1]

Yes mate all 4 screws holding shroud are off as is steering wheel and ignitition barrel,can move upper shroud a bit but nowere near enough to get it off

[ClemQjeronimo]

i find sliding the column forward warks. i dont know if thats what u mean wen u say tilt mechanism, if that is what you meanthen i dont know, although nmaybe your not pulling har enough

[gooner1]

Cant move the column mate mines one without the adjustment lever,would have solved the problem if it had been.Reason im not pulling it hard enough is because it would snap the shroud ,its only plastic after all, plus its trapping some wires from ignition and stuff.Looks like the only thing to do is remove part of fascia F**K ing nusiance.

[Brianmoooore]

Should come off OK with the wheel off.

[Brianmoooore]

mines one without the adjustment lever,

Aren't all E30s?

[gooner1]

Thats what the haynes said too Brian but trust me its not.Begining to wonder if P/O has put one on from a different model.

[gooner1]

mines one without the adjustment lever,

Aren't all E30s?

Couldnt tell you ,my first BMW and only had it 3 weeks.

[smithy318i]

in answer to the original question... you cant remove the upper steering column shroud without loosening the entire dash.

to do this you need to remove the 2x10mm screws from the right of the ECU. then lever the dashboard upward and remove the upper cover at the same time. ( you may also need to remove the 2 screws on the left of the dash too )

[Brianmoooore]

Don't know if it'll help, 'cos I've never had the problem before, but the top of the outer column is held in place by runners in slots, while the bottom is held by a clamp.
If you slacken the clamp, you should be able to move the outer column a little. Whether this will help or no, I can't say, 'cos I can't imagine what the problem actually is.

[gooner1]

Thanks for that mate, had visions of taking the dash and centre console out

[Brianmoooore]

in answer to the original question... you cant remove the upper steering column shroud without loosening the entire dash.

to do this you need to remove the 2x10mm screws from the right of the ECU. then lever the dashboard upward and remove the upper cover at the same time. ( you may also need to remove the 2 screws on the left of the dash too )

I've never had to do anything loke this to remove an upper column shroud!

[smithy318i]

in answer to the original question... you cant remove the upper steering column shroud without loosening the entire dash.

to do this you need to remove the 2x10mm screws from the right of the ECU. then lever the dashboard upward and remove the upper cover at the same time. ( you may also need to remove the 2 screws on the left of the dash too )

I've never had to do anything loke this to remove an upper column shroud!

the upper shroud has a 1/2 inch vertical lip on the top which is obstructed by the dashboard.

[Brianmoooore]

I know it has a lip on, but, by lifting the front, it twists out.

[gooner1]

Not on mine it dont Brian.Followed Smithy,s advice and now have it sorted.Thanks to all for your help.Now my next problem is...........