Steering column up and down DIY fix.

Originally Posted by denalixtc

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 removed)

any tip on removing the cover/fascia surrounding the steering column?

thanks.

jim

Originally Posted by jimtomas

any tip on removing the cover/fascia surrounding the steering column?

thanks.

jim

i got the steering wheel trim off, finally. not hard at all. i think i was just too cautious to try it, fearing i would mess something up. anyway, mine is stuck in the up position, just as in denalixtc's photo. i've tapped on the washer a couple of times but it has not fixed the problem. i'll try to tap it harder next time around and hope it works.

Originally Posted by jimtomas

i got the steering wheel trim off, finally. not hard at all. i think i was just too cautious to try it, fearing i would mess something up. anyway, mine is stuck in the up position, just as in denalixtc's photo. i've tapped on the washer a couple of times but it has not fixed the problem. i'll try to tap it harder next time around and hope it works.

yo jimtomas; I think you already answered my question about needing to remove the steering wheel cover along with the bottom cover in front of the gauge cluster in order to access the washer. Any DIY tips on removing the steering wheel cover would be appreciated.

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/att...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/att...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/att...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/att...1&d=1317136388

i shot it with grease and it works great! now i have to fix this:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1317136388

can you believe the shift lever broke??

Out of curiosity, do you only have to remove the top trim of the steering column to replace the gear shifter? I actually have to replace my gear shifter as well, but was never bold enough to venture near the steering column fearing I will accidentally deploy the airbag.

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've had the replacement shifter for months now. I need to put it on asap.

Also...I wonder if it has to be programmed to the car. I assume it's plug and play.

it looks like a plug and play unit. if you get to it first, take lots of pics and post a DYS thread.

Someone told me you have to disconnect battery, take off the wheel and be careful as you can deploy the bags. Based on the pics at he beginning of this thread, it didn't look so complicated.

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.

OK. I took a look at the steering column and I see the 2 clips that can be removed. I assume those are for removing the top part of the column. DO you need to remove the bottom part of the column as well when changing the gear shifter?

I'm glad my thread helped out a few of the members. And thanks to those that added to it.

Very interesting DIY. I got the same problem on mine. The column will move 1mm up/ 1mm down but that is it. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Still haven't got my facia apart, does anyone have a picture of the panel removed illustrating the pins etc. I have tried pulling up to no avail I have arthritis in my fingers. If I could see it apart maybe I could devise a prybar?

look at the picture i posted (2nd one) with my thumb under the edge. just put your thumb under the edge of the wood trim like in the picture and pull up. it comes out very very easily. no prying needed.

@udoknow, i have some bad news. yes, you can get to the shift lever from the column but the screws that secure it to the column are directly behind the steering wheel. i would not recommend removing the steering wheel unless you are confident in your skill set. if you dont know what you are doing and set off the air bag, its going to get expensive. its a 20min job for a mechanic so dont let them tell you its a $300 job.

I went to an INDY shop and the owner told me 1.5 hrs. Then one of his techs told me maybe a half hr. Don't know who to believe. I'm not going to mess with it since I could set off that airbag. But I don't want an INDY to rip me off because I have a 745 either.

30 min tops. here is the procedure:
1. disconnect neg lead on battery.
2. unlock airbag with special tool.
3. disconnect wires from airbag and set aside.
4. remove center lug from wheel.
5. pull wheel off and set aside.
6. remove lever.
7. reverse procedure to finish.

how long would that take you?

Originally Posted by viperjay

30 min tops. here is the procedure:
1. disconnect neg lead on battery.
2. unlock airbag with special tool.
3. disconnect wires from airbag and set aside.
4. remove center lug from wheel.
5. pull wheel off and set aside.
6. remove lever.
7. reverse procedure to finish.

how long would that take you?

Just wanted to add that the steering wheel airbag can be removed with a small flat-head screwdriver.there are 2 access holes to insert screwdriver at about 45* angle and pry screwdriver handle toward rear of car. Just replaced my steering column last week.

Originally Posted by viperjay

30 min tops. here is the procedure:
1. disconnect neg lead on battery.
2. unlock airbag with special tool.
3. disconnect wires from airbag and set aside.
4. remove center lug from wheel.
5. pull wheel off and set aside.
6. remove lever.
7. reverse procedure to finish.

how long would that take you?

The fact that I have to deal with that airbag bothers me. Out of curiosity what special tool do you use to unlock the airbag?

its bmw tool 32 3 170. you can notch a thin flat head screwdriver and get it done but you should take the car to an indy shop and let them deal with it. you will most likely trip the computer and get a airbag warning so they would have to reset that code anyway.

Originally Posted by dannydos

I'm glad my thread helped out a few of the members. And thanks to tho that added to it.

I'm impressed. This saved me hundreds of bucks! Took me all of 10 mins to fix it. 5 gentle taps with a hammer and screwdriver. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks dannydos and all who contributed...I dont have a squeaky steering column anymore. It was pretty easy to remove the top cover and spray some grease on the joints and moving parts

Originally Posted by teejaylentz

Very cool. Didn't realize it was that easy to get to the steering column mechanism. Mine works fine, but makes some noise. Probably just needs to be lubricated.

Mine makes a squeaking noise too when it retracts once I turn the engine off. I'll try this weekend to take the cover off and lubricate! Good info.