Just wanted to make a small DIY thread about a problem I had with my steering column not going up or down. I asked how much it would cost at the dealership to fix this problem. They told me that I would have to replace the whole steering column to fix it. They quoted me $800. Well I wasn’t going to pay the dealership $800. You can hear the motor trying to going up and down, when you hit the button. I took off the bottom cover in front of the gauge cluster and then I was able to see some of the linkage and steering column. There is a retainer clip that was stuck and causing the motor to lock up. I took a long screw driver and used a hammer to lightly wedge the screw driver tip into the clip. This was enough to free the linkage. This may not fix every ones steering column problem. But I would try this if you can hear the motor trying to go up and down.
dannydos
Steering column up and down DIY fix.
Just wanted to make a small DIY thread about a problem I had with my steering column not going up or down. I asked how much it would cost at the dealership to fix this problem. They told me that I would have to replace the whole steering column to fix it. They quoted me $800. Well I wasn’t going to pay the dealership $800. You can hear the motor trying to going up and down, when you hit the button. I took off the bottom cover in front of the gauge cluster and then I was able to see some of the linkage and steering column. There is a retainer clip that was stuck and causing the motor to lock up. I took a long screw driver and used a hammer to lightly wedge the screw driver tip into the clip. This was enough to free the linkage. This may not fix every ones steering column problem. But I would try this if you can hear the motor trying to go up and down.
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I appreciate your reply dannydos, forgive my trepidation in this matter, that's just me. Did you use a special tool to lever the facia panel up? When you hammered the screw driver into the washer does this mean it is a split washer or are you inserting the tip between the rod and the washer? I'm just paranoid about getting this right. Thanx.
Mine moves manually fine. But when I turn the car off it used to go to adjust itself, and when turning the car on it would go back to the position you had it in - this does not work on mine anymore. It doesn't automatically adjust when turning car off and on, I wonder if this is similar to your problem you had.
Really surprised the sdealer wanted $800 without even checking to see if they can fix it. Thieves straight up.
Really surprised the sdealer wanted $800 without even checking to see if they can fix it. Thieves straight up.
the worm wheel is stuck..you just have to find that sweet spot to free it...or you could try taking the linkage out.
dannydos, this may be an 'idiot' question but how do i remove the above mentioned fascia? i just want to make sure i don't break any clips or plastic parts. otherwise, thanks for the write-up.
I fixed my issue, not sure if this is what the OP meant when he was trying to explain where to put the flat head but if it is this may help clarify...
My steering wheel would not go up and down, but it would go in and out. To fix the up and down i took a flat head screw driver and stuck it into the little gap in the washer looking thing pointed out by the green arrow in the picture below. I then tapped it with a hammer and it "unlocked"... I put some anti-seize on it and have yet to have the same issue. Hope this helps guys..
![Image]()
My steering wheel would not go up and down, but it would go in and out. To fix the up and down i took a flat head screw driver and stuck it into the little gap in the washer looking thing pointed out by the green arrow in the picture below. I then tapped it with a hammer and it "unlocked"... I put some anti-seize on it and have yet to have the same issue. Hope this helps guys..
awesome pic man! That's what I was trying to show. I wasn't able to get a great pic like that. Glad my tip helped you out.
Where was this write up at last week?? hahah..i'm getting my steering column replaced at the dealer tommorow (under warranty)...hmm..i could try this first and save myself the 50$ CPO fee.
danny, you are the man! i bought my car a year ago and this up/down never worked. this fixed it! i will try to attach pics to this to show the other posters who were having problems getting the cover off.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294864&stc=1&d=1317136388
just lift on the wood trim and it pops off. my car has a cloth boot that has a finger rivet attaching it to that panel. just pop it off the panel.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294865&stc=1&d=1317136388
when you stand tall and look down that panel (i had to look through the windshield) you just opened you can see the gear.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294866&stc=1&d=1317136388
i gave it about 5 taps with the hammer and screwdriver and the last tap made a different sound so i knew it was loose. in this pic you can see what the gear looks like when its all the way down.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294867&stc=1&d=1317136388
i shot it with grease and it works great! now i have to fix this:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294868&stc=1&d=1317136388
can you believe the shift lever broke??
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294864&stc=1&d=1317136388
just lift on the wood trim and it pops off. my car has a cloth boot that has a finger rivet attaching it to that panel. just pop it off the panel.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294865&stc=1&d=1317136388
when you stand tall and look down that panel (i had to look through the windshield) you just opened you can see the gear.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294866&stc=1&d=1317136388
i gave it about 5 taps with the hammer and screwdriver and the last tap made a different sound so i knew it was loose. in this pic you can see what the gear looks like when its all the way down.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294867&stc=1&d=1317136388
i shot it with grease and it works great! now i have to fix this:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294868&stc=1&d=1317136388
can you believe the shift lever broke??
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i was looking at that today. when i took off the panel that is in front of the gauges, there were 2 lift up screw covers. so, those have to come out. also 1 under the steering wheel on the bottom. once those are off it is probably a cinch to get it out. did you buy the lever yet? i found one on the internet for $135 (OEM). most out there are 160-180. free shipping too!
i will call BS on that right now. i already know for a fact you can get to the steering column without taking off the wheel. see if you can find the two plastic covers for the screws under that panel i removed. look under the column for a third. i bet it splits apart once you have those three screws out. i already pulled the column cap off. that cap is the piece directly under the steering wheel. i just lifted up with my fingernails and it came off very easily, actually a lot easier than i thought it would. to get that cap off the column then yes you would have to remove the wheel but we dont need to go that far for what we are doing.
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