Genuine BMW 330i Intermediate Shaft

BMW 330i Intermediate Shaft Parts Questions & Answers

• Steering Shaft
  32-30-6-769-166
  Q: How do you remove the intermediate shaft in a BMW 330i?

  A: To remove the intermediate shaft in a vehicle, start by blocking the rear wheels and applying the parking brake. Then, raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Set the front wheels in the straight-ahead position and remove the bolts and engine under-shield. Next, remove the fasteners and the driver's knee bolster panel. Pry the rubber boot upwards from the base of the column. Use paint or a marking pen to make alignment marks between the intermediate shaft universal joint and the Steering Column, the shaft and flexible coupling, and the flexible coupling and the steering gear pinion. Loosen and remove the clamp bolts, slide the two halves of the shaft together, and remove the shaft assembly from the vehicle. Inspect the intermediate shaft universal joint for signs of roughness in its bearings and ease of movement. Also, examine the shaft rubber coupling for signs of damage or deterioration, and check that the rubber is securely bonded to the flanges. If the universal joint or rubber coupling are suspect, replace the complete intermediate shaft. To install the intermediate shaft, ensure that the front wheels are still in the straight-ahead position and that the steering wheel is correctly positioned. Align the marks made during removal and engage the intermediate shaft joint with the steering column and the coupling with the steering gear. Insert the new clamp bolts and tighten them to the specified torque setting. The remainder of the installation is the reverse of removal. If a new shaft has been installed, it will be necessary to recalibrate the steering angle sensor using BMW diagnostic equipment. Entrust this task to a dealer or other qualified shop.