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Catastrophic Steering Failure


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Hey all, 

 

I've recently purchased a 1973 BMW 2002 in seemingly good condition. Car drives great and I've had only minor  troubles so far. Ive had the brake boosters reconditioned, had brake lines replaced with braided lines. replaced fuel lines etc. No major issues or call outs so far. 

 

This morning when maneuvering out of a tight parallel park I over exerted the steering and it seems like i catastrophically busted some bushing in the steering assembly. The steering now spins freely without moving the wheels at all. Photos attached.

 

To the best of my knowledge this is the stock ball joint BMW steering. 

 

Seeking some feedback on the following. 

 

  • General advice and comment
  • Best mechanics to send the car too for repair. (for those in Sydney, NSW)
  • repair/replace with stock parts? switch to rack and pinion?  upgrade to power steering?
  • Any ideas on indicative costs and effort?

 

My mechanical experience is pretty much limited to changing fluids and brake pads only, so apologies if my description is off. 

post-46987-0-79097600-1397356615_thumb.j

post-46987-0-20224400-1397356634_thumb.j

post-46987-0-20376600-1397356651_thumb.j

post-46987-0-76854300-1397356667_thumb.j

post-46987-0-88502400-1397356682_thumb.j

post-46987-0-84600300-1397356692_thumb.j

Edited by Marcus Ashley
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Looks like the steering coupler bushing disintigrated.

 

#4 in the illustration.

https://bmwmobiletradition-onlinecom.x-shops.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=ST11&mospid=47129&btnr=32_0971&hg=32&fg=30

Andrew Wilson
Vern- 1973 2002tii, https://www.bmw2002faq.com/blogs/blog/304-andrew-wilsons-vern-restoration/ 
Veronika- 1968 1600 Cabriolet, Athena- 1973 3.0 CSi,  Rodney- 1988 M5, The M3- 1997 M3,

The Unicorn- 2007 X3, Julia- 2007 Z4 Coupe, Ophelia- 2014 X3, Herman- 1914 KisselKar 4-40

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Lordy- do you bench press #400 on a regular basis?  That thing is tough.

I've never seen one die a natural death... did set one on fire once, tho...

 

There's a urethane one at Ireland, but maybe you want the stock one, as I suspect it's tougher.

 

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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Catastrophic for the steering assembly in that an event damaged the assembly to the extent that the entire unit is no longer functional or operational.

Definitely not a catastrophic life event or catastrophic for the car no.

The real painful thing is the nose of the car is now stuck jutting out onto the road. Unable to move past the car parked in front, and unable to move backwards without making contact to a pole. The street is narrow too so towing is going to be a bitch.

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Lordy- do you bench press #400 on a regular basis?  That thing is tough.

I've never seen one die a natural death... did set one on fire once, tho...

 

There's a urethane one at Ireland, but maybe you want the stock one, as I suspect it's tougher.

 

t

 

I'm wondering if they might have a shorter lifespan on RHD cars, due it being closer to exhaust heat.

 

Also, does it have a little heat shield on RHD cars, as it appears in the pic?  I didn't think that was on LHD cars.

Edited by KFunk

Bring a Welder

1974 2002, 1965 Datsun L320 truck, 1981 Yamaha XS400, 1983 Yamaha RX50, 1992 Miata Miata drivetrain waiting on a Locost frame, 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 I'm trying to figure out a quick-fix using some wood pieces and duct tape to restore just enough steering to push the car to a more reasonable location/positioning for towing .....

 

Anybody got a quick-fix idea ??

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

Edited by OriginalOwner
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You can usually shove the wheels enough to cock them in the right direction, at least enough to push the car to a safe position.

Replacing that bushing isn't hard; although I've not worked on a right-hand steer, I suspect the parts are similar if not the same.

1987 E28 535is -- Buttercup

1974 2002tii -- Pretty Penny

1994 E34 M5 -- Horehund

2001 E36/7 M Roadster -- Shaggy

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how about rolling the front wheels onto plastic grocery bags and then turning the wheels by pushing on the tires.  doubled up plastic bags are slippery.  roll onto bags, steer, repeat...?

     DISCLAIMER 

I now disagree with some of the timing advice I have given in the past.  I misinterpreted the distributor curves in the Blue Book. 

I've switched from using ported-vacuum to manifold, with better results. 

I apologize for spreading misinformation.  

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Lordy- do you bench press #400 on a regular basis?  That thing is tough.

I've never seen one die a natural death... did set one on fire once, tho...

 

There's a urethane one at Ireland, but maybe you want the stock one, as I suspect it's tougher.

 

t

 

 

I broke mine also. New york city parking did it in. 

 

Get a polyurethane one from an old VW beetle. Same part. Identical to the ones made specifically for our 2002s, but half the price. 

 

for a quick fix wedge a piece of wood between the coupling to get them to engage temporarily. Under no circumstances whatsoever should you drive it like that. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/16-5150-URETHANE-STEERING-COUPLER-BUGGY/dp/B00BYHFVHK

Oh, and good luck getting the old one out and the new one in. You'll be wrestling it for a while. Having a buddy helps. And don't install the steering wheel in upside down ;)

 

Ask me how I know. 

1974 Grey European Market BMW 2002 

1976 Yellow BMW 2002 "GOLDENROD" SOLD

1972 Yellow Austin Mini 1000

A bunch of Bikes...

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Hi Marcus,

I would recommend BimerTech 9948 1310, guy who owns it is Matt, they are in Balgowlah, http://www.bimmertech.com.au/

Matt has always been very honest and fair with me and knows 02's well, his brother races one, he always has a good spread of cars in the workshop.

I would get him to fit a heat shield as well, I think you can still get them, try Jaymic in the UK, Rogers Tii in the US or Walloth in Germany for the shield and rubber joint. You can try bmw dealers in Sydney but they are very expensive, ridiculous mark ups, just like most other Aussie vendors, captive audience and all that. Long live the Internet :-)

Good luck.

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