BimmerFest BMW Forum banner

Please help - Bentley manual owners or any other tech (steering rack)

2357 Views 41 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Mike 325xi
Hey Guys,

I just had 2 parts replaced on my steering rack and wanted to know if you could check the bentley manual and tell me if these parts are correct for my car

I have a 330Ci June 2000 production without the retrofit.

The part numbers replaced were

1 - #32-41-1-093-730 (bolt)
2 - #32-41-1-093-596 (ring)

The invoice said ' replaced special order valve bolt,
Top off fluid

My steering definitely feels different with the new parts

thanks for your help ! ! !
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
Bentley manual doesn't break down the part numbers. You'll need someone with the BMW parts CD (ETK).
pps-325xit said:
Bentley manual doesn't break down the part numbers. You'll need someone with the BMW parts CD (ETK).
thanks for letting me know that !!
that's simply a hollow bolt and related crush washer. I'm really not sure why they would replace just that unless the one that came with your original steering rack had a different sized orfice. I highly doubt that the bolt was the problem. are you sure that there aren't any other parts listed?

in the attached pic, the parts are numbers 5 and 6.

Attachments

See less See more
either they really fixed something else and aren't telling you or perhaps there's some placebo effect going on..?? :dunno:
31st330i said:
either they really fixed something else and aren't telling you or perhaps there's some placebo effect going on..?? :dunno:
I think you may have just ruined the placebo :eeps: :rolleyes:

Alan you need to follow up on this one. I think you might be getting hosed:mad:
The last 7 digits are JU30377,

It's strange that I think it felt different at first, it actually felt lighter . . .
The invoice also said -
1 ATF trans fluid "top off fluid' was also written on the invoice

Is it possible that the additional fluid was put into the steering rack ? ?
Alan F said:
The last 7 digits are JU30377,

It's strange that I think it felt different at first, it actually felt lighter . . .
The invoice also said -
1 ATF trans fluid "top off fluid' was also written on the invoice

Is it possible that the additional fluid was put into the steering rack ? ?
I hope they only put it into the left hand reservoir, so that it balances out the steering effort :rolleyes:

:D
AHH!!!! I know.... maybe the tech that originally installed it left air trapped in the system. and what you REALLY went back in for was so that they could bleed the air out some more. that's where the bolt and washer come in. they replace it because they are going to bleed it at that point and they need to replace a part to cover their buts and get paid by BMWNA. this is a TOTAL GUESS on my part.
the reason I wanted your serial number was to see what the production date was. I looked up the bolt for my car and we have the same production date. anyway, they replaced the bolt with the SAME thing. hence, my guess above.
Mike 325xi said:

I hope they only put it into the left hand reservoir, so that it balances out the steering effort :rolleyes:

:D
I thought there was already a left bias. If they load more to that side won't it amplify the effect:dunno:

Alan, my advice.........follow up I think you're getting hosed:mad: :mad:
31st330i said:
the reason I wanted your serial number was to see what the production date was. I looked up the bolt for my car and we have the same production date. anyway, they replaced the bolt with the SAME thing. hence, my guess above.
I could swear my steering felt lighter at highway speeds when I first drove away from the dealer but that was 2 days ago, then for some reason today it felt heavy again . . .

I called the dealer and asked them to replace the bolt with the old part and the service advisor thought I was nuts . . . (well we all know he's right)

Anyway, is it possible that by removing that bolt and putting more fluid in the steering rack that I WOULD feel a difference or am I just freakin crazy (no need to comment Mike)

Or am I totally off base here and they don't ever put any fluid in the steering rack :dunno:
PM 325xiT said:

I thought there was already a left bias. If they load more to that side won't it amplify the effect:dunno:

Alan, my advice.........follow up I think you're getting hosed:mad: :mad:
What are you talking about Phil?? Were you a mechanic in a past life? I think NOT...

:D
Mike 325xi said:

What are you talking about Phil?? Were you a mechanic in a past life? I think NOT...

:D
No but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express:D :lmao:

I would also comment that my sport wagon has a heavy feel to the steering is it the same in your xi Mike:dunno:
PM 325xiT said:

No but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express:D :lmao:

I would also comment that my {b]sport
wagon has a heavy feel to the steering is that the same in your xi Mike:dunno: [/B]
Well...I'm not a mechanic but I played one on TV...maybe you saw it on your home theater Phil??

My xi has very tight steering...but the damned thing sits so high off the ground that it's hard to tell...

but without a doubt when I take one hand off the wheel to shift it definitely takes more steering effort than with two hands :dunno:
Mike 325xi said:
but without a doubt when I take one hand off the wheel to shift it definitely takes more steering effort than with two hands :dunno:
Maybe it has something to do with straight pipes. :dunno:
Alan F said:
Anyway, is it possible that by removing that bolt and putting more fluid in the steering rack that I WOULD feel a difference or am I just freakin crazy
if they left air trapped in the system, that might have caused it. the air will compress and the fluid will not. imagine spongy brakes but in this case only when you turn the wheel one way. I don't know how BMW power steering is designed so I don't know if this is actually possible. I suspect that it is, though.

I just thought of another possibility.... it's also possible that the threads on the new steering rack start at a different point than the threads on your original rack. the bolt now screws in a little differently, possibly obstructing the flow. another GUESS.
alee said:

Maybe it has something to do with straight pipes. :dunno:
hahahaha... :lmao:
31st330i said:
I just thought of another possibility.... it's also possible that the threads on the new steering rack start at a different point than the threads on your original rack. the bolt now screws in a little differently, possibly obstructing the flow. another GUESS.
I thought Alan skipped doing the retrofit?
Mike 325xi said:

Well...I'm not a mechanic but I played one on TV...maybe you saw it on your home theater Phil??

My xi has very tight steering...but the damned thing sits so high off the ground that it's hard to tell...

but without a doubt when I take one hand off the wheel to shift it definitely takes more steering effort than with two hands :dunno:
ROTFLMAO
:lmao: :lmao:

Steering tight just a little heavy at slow turn because of all wheel drive. I have Step so I don't experience that difficulty.:confused:

You should check out my bangin new HDTV 43" Mitsu :bigpimp:
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top