BMW X3 Quiz

Steering column

In this manual: Steering column
General information on preservation measures — 1Body cavity sealing — 1Body corrosion protection — 1Body repair instructions — 1Support members — 1Luggage compartment floor — 1Wheel wells — 1Side frame and door pillars — 1Roof outer skin — 1Dash cowl — 1Front trim panel — 1Rear trim panel — 1Side panels — 1Front side doors — 1Rear side doors — 1Front lid — 1Rear lid — 1Other flaps — 1Body special tools — 1General information — 1Handling brake fluids — 1Brake testing and bleeding — 1Front brakes — 1Rear brakes — 1Master brake cylinder — 1Brake lines — 1Brake booster — 1Electrical components/wear indicator — 1Parking brake — 1Mechanical/hydraulic components — 1Electronic components — 1Brakes — 1Front brake — 1Pedal mounting block — 1Brake pedal with linkage — 1Clutch pedal with linkage — 1Accelerator pedal actuation — 1Pedals — 1Specified grease — 1Propeller shaft, general — 1Propeller shaft assembly — 1Center console assembly — 1Front propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft complete — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Output shaft — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1With suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Brake pad replacement reminder — 1Emissions maintenance reminder — 1Maintenance service reminder — 1Tire pressure monitor system reminder — 1Description — 1Troubleshooting — 1Ignition wires, spark plugs — 1Ignition coil — 1Electronic switching or control units — 1Preheating relay — 1Preheater plugs — 1Alternator with drive and mounting — 1Controller — 1Starter with mounting — 1Starter lead — 1Engine wiring loom — 1Oil pressure/oil temperature/oil gauge — 1Switches and relays — 1Engine electrical system — 1Cabin air filter — 1Cabin air filter applications — 1Operating fluids - air conditioning and heating — 1Air conditioner refrigerant — 1Refrigeration oil — 1Note, overview components climate control — 1Heater with operation — 1Auxiliary. heater with control elements — 1Nozzles and outlets — 1Microfilter — 1Air conditioning, leak detection — 1Ac housing/evaporator, switching elements — 1Compressor — 1Condenser and dryer with lines — 1Heating and air conditioning — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Integrated suspension systems repair instructions — 1Front control and suspension elements — 1Rear control and suspension elements — 1Electrical components — 1Electronic damping force adjustment — 1Integrated suspension systems — 1Approved hydraulic fluids — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1Springs with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Electronic chassis alignment — 1Mechanical steering gear — 1Steering gear with servo unit — 1Steering arms, tie rods, steer. damper — 1Steering column — 1Steering wheel — 1Steering wheel for airbag — 1Pump and oil supply — 1Steering and wheel alignment — 1Wheels — 1Disc wheels (rims) — 1Tires — 1Wheels with tires — 1Tire mounting paste — 1Engine mounting — 1Transmission suspension, automatic. transmission — 1Engine and gearbox suspension — 1Transmission in general — 1Transmission case, oil sump — 1Extension housing, bearings, seal — 1Mechanical attachments — 1Hydr/el control components/elements — 1Oil pump — 1Shift valves, parking lock — 1Torque converter — 1Automatic transmission — 1Automatic transmission fluid for zf-transmission GA8HP45Z / GA8HP50Z / GA8HP70Z / GA8HP90Z / GA8P70H / GA8P75H / GA8HP75Z — 1General information on automatic transmission fluids — 1Approved automatic transmission fluids for initial fillings and correcting fluid levels — 1Checking transmission fluid level — 1Transmission fluid change intervals (if applicable) — 1Transfer case, general — 1Transfer box — 1Transmission shafts — 1Transfer box special tools — 1Transfer box in general (atc 45l) — 1Transmission in general — 1Bearing in housing, sealing ring — 1SELF-DIAGNOSTICS DTCS — 1
~4min read
  • Removing and installing/replacing lower section of steering column shroud
  • Removing and installing/replacing steering column
  • Removing and installing/replacing universal joint with corrugated tubing
  • Removing and installing/replacing upper section of steering column shroud
  • Replacing steering column adjustment lever
  • Replacing steering shaft sleeve

Removing and installing/replacing lower section of steering column shroud

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove TOP SECTION OF STEERING COLUMN CASING.
  • Move steering column in "top" and "extended" position.

Press retaining lugs outwards a little and unclip steering column shroud downwards.

Installation note:

Align steering column shroud by means of retaining lugs to steering column and press up as far as it will go.

Press steering column shroud on both sides together a little and then press upwards completely until retaining lugs snap into place.

Check installation position, correct if necessary.

Suspension

Tilt steering column shroud in downward direction.

If necessary, unlock plug connection (1) on steering column adjustment switch and (2) emergency starting aerial and disconnect.

Remove steering column shroud lower section.

Suspension

REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING STEERING ANGLE SENSOR

NOTE: The steering angle sensor is integrated in the EPS steering gear!

Removing and installing/replacing steering column

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Move steering column into "extended" position.
  • Disconnect battery earth lead.
  • Remove steering wheel .
  • Remove upper and lower steering column shroud .
  • Remove trim panel for pedal assembly .
  • Remove STEERING COLUMN CONTROL PANEL .
  • Unclip wiring harness and place to one side.
  • REMOVE universal joint with corrugated tube.

Undo nuts (1) at bottom of steering column.

Suspension

Secure steering column against falling out.

Undo nuts (1) at top of steering column.

Remove steering column by pulling upward.

Suspension

After installation:

  • Turn steering wheel in both directions to the limit position. The airbag indicator light must not light up!

Removing and installing/replacing universal joint with corrugated tubing

IMPORTANT:

After the steering shaft has been loosened on the steering gear/steering column, do not turn the steering wheel any more. If the lower section of the steering shaft is separated from the steering box/steering column, the steering column switch cluster may be damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove intake silencer housing .
  • Move steering column in "top" and "retracted" position.

Remove clamping bolt (1) at steering box to the side over the wheel arch.

Installation note:

Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Replace clamping bolts.

Suspension

Pull down corrugated tubing until clamping bolt (1) is accessible with tool (2).

Release clamping bolt (1) and remove universal joint together with corrugated tubing.

Installation note: Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Replace clamping bolts.

Counter-hold the steering shaft in the passenger compartment on the steering column when sliding the universal joint onto the steering column!

Suspension

Connect universal joint with corrugated tubing first to steering shaft and then to steering box.

Clamping bolt must rest in groove of steering box or steering column.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

After installation:

  • Turn steering wheel in both directions to the limit position. The airbag indicator light must not light up in the process.

Removing and installing/replacing upper section of steering column shroud

Move steering column in "bottom" and "extended" position.

Pull steering column gap cover up carefully and clip out gap cover.

Suspension

Pull steering column shroud (1) up.

Clip steering column gap cover (1) out of steering column shroud upper section.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Carefully pull steering column shroud upper section (1) upward at rear and clip out.

Suspension

Replacing steering column adjustment lever

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove : trim panel for pedal mechanism.

Release nuts (1) from footwell and detach adjustment lever.

Installation note:

Replace nut (1).

In installed or closed condition, the adjustment lever must be positioned parallel with the steering column!

Suspension

Replacing steering shaft sleeve

Special tools required:

  • 00 9 321

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • REMOVE lower section of steering shaft.

Press the steering shaft (1) into the inside of the footwell.

Pull out locking pins (2)!

Suspension

Unlock the steering sleeve by pressing it in the direction of the arrow and remove it towards the outside.

Remove sleeve in direction of engine compartment.

Suspension

Unlock the holder (1) at the top by pressing it in the direction of the arrow and remove it towards the footwell.

Suspension

Test yourself

A quick BMW X3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.