Steering rack alignment

simon · 12-14-2015, 07:18 PM

I'm about to drop subframe for oil pan gasket repair. How does one ensure rack and pinion alignment of steering rack when you remove and install? I guess the goal is to not move tie rods or steering wheel once it's removed, but say it is moved by accident for whatever reason. Is there a good way to realign in the same way?

Simon

simon · 12-15-2015, 07:09 AM

After some more thought I guess it doesn't really matter since I plan to get an alignment afterwards anyway. I can just get it as close as I can and call it a day and then alignment will make it right.

Simon

Volasko · 12-15-2015, 09:48 AM

My mechanic says the best way to do the oil pan gasket is to lift the engine up a few inches instead of dropping the whole subframe. It is much easier than trying to drop the subframe as all you need to do is remove the engine mount nuts and leave the transmission mounts on. You would need an engine lift to do this but it does leave your entire suspension and steering rack in place which saves the alignment. You need to remove the upper cowl deck and engine cover. Once removed you can thread in the tow eyelet to the engine to lift it up.

mlifxs · 12-17-2015, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volasko

My mechanic says the best way to do the oil pan gasket is to lift the engine up a few inches instead of dropping the whole subframe. It is much easier than trying to drop the subframe as all you need to do is remove the engine mount nuts and leave the transmission mounts on. You would need an engine lift to do this but it does leave your entire suspension and steering rack in place which saves the alignment. You need to remove the upper cowl deck and engine cover. Once removed you can thread in the tow eyelet to the engine to lift it up.

can this be done with just an engine support bar?

PhaseP · 12-17-2015, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

I'm about to drop subframe for oil pan gasket repair. How does one ensure rack and pinion alignment of steering rack when you remove and install? I guess the goal is to not move tie rods or steering wheel once it's removed, but say it is moved by accident for whatever reason. Is there a good way to realign in the same way?

Simon

Having an XI and recently done this job, I disconnected the steering wheel shaft from steering rack u-joint and dropped the subframe all the way down. Disconnected the tie-rods also since XI work requires removal of both CV axles, among others things.

I started with a straight steering wheel. Marked the position of the steering wheel shaft to the u-joint, and took a picture just in case, before disconnecting it. When all said done, positioned the wheels straight by eye, positioned the steering wheel shaft back into its place to the u-joint with their marks aligned. Steering is as straight as it was before. I may have changed alignment angles somewhat but nothing I can notice.
The steering shaft goes into the rack u-joint in only one way, which allows only 180 or multiples of 180 degrees steering wheel misalignment if placed wrong.

I don't know for RWD if you would need to disconnect the steering wheel shaft, or the tie rods.

Volasko · 12-18-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlifxs

can this be done with just an engine support bar?

I honestly don't know, anything strong enough to support the weight of the engine enough to lift it up a few inches should be fine.

simon · 12-18-2015, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the tips!

I dropped the subframe completely. I disconnected tie rods but left the steering rack combined to the pinion and untouched other than removing from subframe. Also disconnected control arm and thrust arm and anything else on subframe to completely remove it from the car.

Volasko I must say your mechanic must be some sort of wizard to be able to do this job by just raising the engine a few inches. I can't imagine how to remove the oil pan at all with the subframe in the way. Complete removal was a necessity since the old gasket was fused on the pan and cleaning it up was a mild PITA.

Overall tough job, but doable.

Simon

stashtrey · 12-18-2015, 06:13 PM

Bravo! Love seeing these threads of members tackling heavy duty jobs. Glad it worked out, OP!

TheBingoBalls · 12-18-2015, 08:19 PM

Oh man...I'm going to dread doing this. I was lucky getting to 200,000km without any serious oil leak but now I think it's getting to the point where I need to address it. The leak hasn't triggered the low oil lamp but bad enough that I'm seeing it on the underbody shield.

12-14-2015, 07:18 PM	#1
simon Second Lieutenant 66 Rep 222 Posts Drives: E92 Montego Blue 328i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Steering rack alignment I'm about to drop subframe for oil pan gasket repair. How does one ensure rack and pinion alignment of steering rack when you remove and install? I guess the goal is to not move tie rods or steering wheel once it's removed, but say it is moved by accident for whatever reason. Is there a good way to realign in the same way? Simon
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12-15-2015, 07:09 AM	#2
simon Second Lieutenant 66 Rep 222 Posts Drives: E92 Montego Blue 328i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	After some more thought I guess it doesn't really matter since I plan to get an alignment afterwards anyway. I can just get it as close as I can and call it a day and then alignment will make it right. Simon
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12-15-2015, 09:48 AM	#3
Volasko Colonel 726 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	My mechanic says the best way to do the oil pan gasket is to lift the engine up a few inches instead of dropping the whole subframe. It is much easier than trying to drop the subframe as all you need to do is remove the engine mount nuts and leave the transmission mounts on. You would need an engine lift to do this but it does leave your entire suspension and steering rack in place which saves the alignment. You need to remove the upper cowl deck and engine cover. Once removed you can thread in the tow eyelet to the engine to lift it up.
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12-18-2015, 06:01 PM	#7
simon Second Lieutenant 66 Rep 222 Posts Drives: E92 Montego Blue 328i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the tips! I dropped the subframe completely. I disconnected tie rods but left the steering rack combined to the pinion and untouched other than removing from subframe. Also disconnected control arm and thrust arm and anything else on subframe to completely remove it from the car. Volasko I must say your mechanic must be some sort of wizard to be able to do this job by just raising the engine a few inches. I can't imagine how to remove the oil pan at all with the subframe in the way. Complete removal was a necessity since the old gasket was fused on the pan and cleaning it up was a mild PITA. Overall tough job, but doable. Simon Last edited by simon; 12-18-2015 at 06:22 PM..
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12-18-2015, 06:13 PM	#8
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 295 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Bravo! Love seeing these threads of members tackling heavy duty jobs. Glad it worked out, OP!
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12-18-2015, 08:19 PM	#9
TheBingoBalls Brigadier General 4299 Rep 4,854 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 F36 BMW 440i x ... [0.00]	Oh man...I'm going to dread doing this. I was lucky getting to 200,000km without any serious oil leak but now I think it's getting to the point where I need to address it. The leak hasn't triggered the low oil lamp but bad enough that I'm seeing it on the underbody shield.
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