32 31 070 Removing and installing/replacing lower section of steering shaft

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 27 other vehicles, including the 2017 BMW M6, 2017 BMW 650i xDrive, 2017 BMW 650i, 2017 BMW 640i xDrive, and 2017 BMW 640i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove trim panel for pedal mechanism. See 51 45 184 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) TRIM PANEL FOR PEDAL MECHANISM (ECE ONLY) or 51 45 184 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) TRIM PANEL FOR PEDAL MECHANISM (US ONLY) .
Remove rear UNDERBODY PROTECTION (N63/N74)
Remove underbody protection, front (F18 hybrid drive only)

IMPORTANT: If the bottom of steering shaft is disconnected from universal joint with corrugated tubing, the steering column switch cluster may be damaged when the steering wheel is turned!

All outer N63/N74 and F18 hybrid car:

Release screw connection (1) from corrugated tubing and pull off bottom of steering shaft from corrugated tubing.

Installation note:

Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Clamping bolt must rest in steering box groove or steering shaft middle section.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

Replace clamping bolt.

Tightening torque 32 31 2AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Screw Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

N63/N74 only:

Release screw connection (1) from corrugated tubing and pull off bottom of steering shaft from corrugated tubing.

Installation note:

Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Fig 2: Identifying Screw On Corrugated Tubing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clamping bolt must rest in steering box groove or steering shaft middle section.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

Replace clamping bolt.

Tightening torque 32 31 2AZ .

Only for F18 hybrid car:

Release screw connection (1) on corrugated tubing and pull off steering shaft.

Installation note:

Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Clamping bolt must rest in steering box groove or steering shaft middle section.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

Fig 3: Identifying Screw Connection On Steering Shaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace clamping bolt.

Tightening torque 32 31 2AZ .

IMPORTANT: Mark installation position of steering shaft in relation to steering column (1) with a line.

Release clamping bolt (2) and pull off steering shaft from steering column in direction of arrow.

Carefully pull bottom of steering shaft in passenger compartment through sleeve and remove.

Fig 4: Releasing Clamping Bolt

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

To simplify installation, grease sleeve with silicone spray before sliding in steering shaft through sleeve!

Do not damage splined shaft.

Recut thread in steering shaft.

Replace clamping screw (2).

Clamping screw must rest in groove of upper steering spindle.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

Tightening torque 32 31 3AZ .

After installation:

Turn steering wheel in both directions to the limit position. The airbag indicator light must not light up in the process.
After replacement of universal joint with corrugated tubing:
On vehicles with active steering, perform "ALIGNMENT/START-UP OF ACTIVE STEERING "