32 21 231 Replacing Left Or Right Tie Rod

Special tools required: 

• 32 3 160 

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing  . See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .
• Remove gaiter from power steering gear  and slide back. See 32 11 100 REPLACING GAITER FOR STEERING GEAR ON LEFT OR RIGHT .

Unscrew tie rod with special tool 32 3 160  from rack of power steering gear and remove

Tightening torque 32 21 2AZ  . See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (32 3 160)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clean rack and check surface for damage (e.g. by corrosion).

Replace O-ring (1).

Grease rack and O-ring (1). Refer to OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 2: Identifying Rack And O-Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assembling new component with gaiter: 

Release clamping nut (2).

Screw off tie rod end; if necessary, grip tie rod with open-end wrench.

Remove clamping ring (1) and screw off clamping nut (2).

Slide gaiter (4) and band clamp (3) onto tie rod.

Screw clamping nut (2) onto tie rod.

Slide clamping ring (1) onto tie rod.

Determine measurement (A) on old part to simplify following adjustment of front axle.

Screw tie rod end onto tie rod to measurement (A).

Tighten down clamping nut (2).

Tightening torque 32 21 5AZ  . See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 3: Identifying Clamping Ring Slide Gaiter And Band Clamp Onto Tie Rod

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation: 

• Perform chassis alignment check  . See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION  or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
• Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment  . See 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .