32 31 090 Removing and installing/replacing steering column

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW 328i xDrive, 2016 BMW 328d xDrive, 2015 BMW 328i xDrive, 2015 BMW 328d xDrive, and 2014 BMW 328i xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary work:

Move steering column into "extended" position
Disconnect BATTERY EARTH LEAD
Remove airbag . See 32 34 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING AIRBAG UNIT (SPORT STEERING WHEEL) , 32 34 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING AIRBAG UNIT or 32 34 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING AIRBAG UNIT (M SPORTS STEERING WHEEL)
Remove steering wheel . See 32 33 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING STEERING WHEEL , 32 33 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SPORT STEERING WHEEL or 32 33 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) M SPORTS STEERING WHEEL
Remove TRIM PANEL FOR PEDAL MECHANISM
US vehicles only: Remove AIRBAG MODULE for driver's knee protection
Remove upper and lower STEERING COLUMN SHROUD
Remove STEERING COLUMN CONTROL PANEL
Unclip wiring harness and place to one side.
Release electronics box . See 12 14 550 REPLACING ELECTRONICS BOX (N47 D16/20 K/U/O/T 1) or 12 14 550 REPLACING CONTROL UNIT BOX (N47 D20 O 1 WITH SCR) at the spring strut dome and only lay to the side (only N47)
Release steering shaft . See 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SHAFT , 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING STEERING SHAFT LOWER SECTION (N47 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE) or 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING STEERING BOTTOM STEERING SHAFT (N20 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE) from steering column in engine compartment

Undo nuts (1) at top of steering column.

Tightening torque 32 31 1AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Steering Column Nuts (Top)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure steering column against falling out.

Undo nuts (1) at bottom of steering column.

Tightening torque 32 31 1AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Steering Column Nuts (Bottom)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Align steering shaft and steering column! (encoding at spindle and joint)

With the assistance of another person, hold the universal joint in the engine compartment and slide spindle of steering column at plastic sleeve (1) from the footwell onto the universal joint.

When pushing in the steering shaft (1), ensure that the steering shaft collar is correctly positioned.

Sleeve must be clipped into the bulkhead.

(See REMOVING AND INSTALLING SLEEVE FOR STEERING SHAFT )

Fig 3: Pushing Steering Shaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Turn steering wheel in both directions to the limit position. The airbag indicator light must not light up!