could i be a bigger tit.....

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:21 pm

ok ive made the fuk up of the century.....

i managed to crossthread the steering wheel column last time i took the wheel off somehow...

today i fcuked it apart from the bottom 3 threads on the column.....

i ground off the messed threads... and put the nut on without a washer.... for the time being.... i was still able to tighten the nut very tight using a breaker bar.... so hopefully it wont come off but theres no washer...as the nut wouldnt get on the threads with it.......

so what i need to know is how on earth do i take the column off to replace ot or replace the bit that needs replacing,....

i was thinking of maybe getting a smaller nut and working it on behind.... just to make sure.....

heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp

yes i know i am stupid....

cheers
Karan

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:23 pm

u must be animal to cross thread that puppy it's like a 22m nut that fits on!!!

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:34 pm

Removing the colums is easy mate.

All you need to do is prise out the top bearing (worth changing while you're at it) and then undoing the pinch bolt on the UJ in the engine bay. You actually have to remove the bolt not just loosen it because the column is recessed and this bolt holds it in place.

Once these are undone, refit the steering wheel and use this to pull the shaft out and replace it with another one.

It's also worth changing the lower bearing and associated parts while you're at it and your steering will be silky smooth. Both bearings and all new washers etc only come to about a tenner from the dealer.

HTH

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:34 pm

Whoops!

I'd personally try a 21mm nut first,the threads are already shagged so what have you got to lose?

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:35 pm

Jesus325iTouring wrote:Whoops!

I'd personally try a 21mm nut first,the threads are already shagged so what have you got to lose?

It's 100% 22mm. Don't bother trying to repair it, the steering is quite an inportant part of the car and you don't want to start trying to bodge it for the sake of a couple of quid.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:38 pm

E30Adam wrote:Removing the colums is easy mate.

All you need to do is prise out the top bearing (worth changing while you're at it) and then undoing the pinch bolt on the UJ in the engine bay. You actually have to remove the bolt not just loosen it because the column is recessed and this bolt holds it in place.

Once these are undone, refit the steering wheel and use this to pull the shaft out and replace it with another one.

It's also worth changing the lower bearing and associated parts while you're at it and your steering will be silky smooth. Both bearings and all new washers etc only come to about a tenner from the dealer.

HTH

cheers adam.... do u not have to remove those shear bolts.... ordoes the column literally just lift out....

jesus, fellow bodgemeister.... its ok for the time being as i did still manage to get the nut on very tight still...... so hopefully it wont come off middrift.....

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:39 pm

adam.... msn pleeeeease

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:48 pm

Karan, your such a muppet sometimes!

Have you bought another steering wheel or something?

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:53 pm

is it safe to drive 2moro then?! won't fall off in my hands?!

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:05 pm

E30Adam wrote:
Jesus325iTouring wrote:Whoops!

I'd personally try a 21mm nut first,the threads are already shagged so what have you got to lose?
It's 100% 22mm. Don't bother trying to repair it, the steering is quite an inportant part of the car and you don't want to start trying to bodge it for the sake of a couple of quid.

I'm not sure I understand your reply.

I'm aware the steering wheel bolt is 22mm,i was suggesting replacing it with a 21 mm bolt as this would rethread itself.

What difference would 1 mm make?

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:06 pm

Karan wrote:hopefully it wont come off middrift.....

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:12 pm

Jesus325iTouring wrote:
What difference would 1 mm make?

22 or 21mm is just the head size, changing this would have no effect on how it fixes at all. If you're thinking a different thread size then this is a definate no no because you don't want to be rethreading the steering column as it weakens the metal.

Karan, on MSN now mate, was just having dinner.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:14 pm

E30Adam wrote:
Jesus325iTouring wrote:
What difference would 1 mm make?
22 or 21mm is just the head size, changing this would have no effect on how it fixes at all. If you're thinking a different thread size then this is a definate no no because you don't want to be rethreading the steering column as it weakens the metal.

Karan, on MSN now mate, was just having dinner.

ok

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:46 pm

you could re-thread it as there is plenty of meat left on the column and would be hassle free and easy to do.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:45 pm

ok....
update...

i took column out of my other e30... 318iS....

and put it in... still not finished cos it got very cold.....

easy enough to do, but little clearance with my 6 branch manifold in the way....

i gave up trying to put the top clip back on...... its very hard.. how did u do it adam? its really hard pushing that spring down then putting the clip in the groove....

Karan

Post Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:58 pm

Simon13 wrote:is it safe to drive 2moro then?! won't fall off in my hands?!

u better not drive it just to be on the safe side...

LOL

Post Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:56 am

job done!!!

big thanks to Adam, Demlot and Jesus!!!

u boyz are da manz!!!