DIY: S65 M3 Rod Bearing

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

What do you guys mean by a box wrench? Ring spanner or a socket? lol

Anyway, can't remember for sure what I did, but I do own some torx spanners.

Sorry, I meant box-end wrench.

[Assimilator1]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Sorry, I meant box-end wrench.

I still had no idea what you meant , American term, and I'm a Brit. Googled it, and I see it means a ring spanner

[M3Joe]

Struggling to get the steering shaft lined up correctly. There is talk about a "key" on the steering rack shaft but I do not seem to have one. Then I found this laying on the floor:


I suspect this is the key??? Maybe got caught up in the U-joint link on removal and then fell out trying to reassemble?

Does somebody have a pic on how this is supposed to look?

Thanks,

Joe

[jvictormp]

Yes, that's it. I didn't even think it was a separated piece. Unfortunately I won't be at home for days, otherwise I could try to take a picture for you.

Btw, I've done that job three times. The last time, I used a big pry bar (1 meter long) pivoting it with a large screwdriver in order to press the u-joint against the lower joint assy, and I'll definitely do it that way everytime I need to do that job.

[M3Joe]

[QUOTE=jvictormp;29917817]Yes, that's it. I didn't even think it was a separated piece.

Thanks for confirming.

I assume the flat vertical portion is oriented with the extended tail toward the rack and not the steering wheel. Looking at the U joint from below, there looks to be two slots in which the flat vertical portion can fit. Does it fit with the key in the bolt side slot or the slot 180° from the bolt?

Thanks,

Joe

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by M3Joe

I assume the flat vertical portion is oriented with the extended tail toward the rack and not the steering wheel.

Yes.

Originally Posted by M3Joe

Looking at the U joint from below, there looks to be two slots in which the flat vertical portion can fit. Does it fit with the key in the bolt side slot or the slot 180° from the bolt?

Key in the bolt side slot.

[nowayout]

SYT_Shadow are you still doing these up in CT? I want to tackle mine but I know I cant do it without hands on help.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by nowayout

SYT_Shadow are you still doing these up in CT? I want to tackle mine but I know I cant do it without hands on help.

Every once in a while! Pm if you're interested

[SN1P3]

Thank you SYT_Shadow and all contributors here. I am currently assembling my parts/tools to take on this job and will update (BE bearings on 9 day backorder).

QQ: I plan to use the below to hold my steering wheel instead of a bungie while the steering shaft is disconnected. Any concerns with this tool?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR32W5V1...sin_title&th=1

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by SN1P3

Thank you SYT_Shadow and all contributors here. I am currently assembling my parts/tools to take on this job and will update (BE bearings on 9 day backorder).

QQ: I plan to use the below to hold my steering wheel instead of a bungie while the steering shaft is disconnected. Any concerns with this tool?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR32W5V1...sin_title&th=1

We never used a tool. It's not easy to mess the alignment up as it only goes in one way, so you'd have to rotate the wheel a lot, as in 360 degrees

But it shouldn't hurt either, so it's up to you. Good luck!

[SN1P3]

Dedicating this weekend to tackling this. Hoping someone can answer these questions for me. ( SYT_Shadow )

Question - can I use brake cleaner to clean the BE ARP bolts? They came with a tacky substance on them.

Also appears the bolts fell out of the foam liner box bc they were just rattling around in the shipping box. I plan to check the threads but they should be fine as they are steel?

Brake cleaner okay to clean the BE bearings as well?

[SYT_Shadow]

I don't see why you couldn't clean the equipment with brake cleaner. And the bolts should be fine, check the threads.

Good luck with the diy!

[SN1P3]

Gentlemen the deed is done. Took over 12 hours in my garage on jack stands (including adding a time-sert for my stripped oil pan). Super thankful for this thread for giving me the confidence to DIY.

Just went on a cruise around town and experienced all RPMs. Smooth.


One issue:
As others have mentioned - reconnecting the steering joint was a PAIN. I must have reconnected it 1 or 2 threads off bc the steering wheel is off about 10 degrees to the right.


How should I proceed?
1. Fix with an alignment
2. Fix by taking off steering wheel and reattaching shifted 10 degrees (I have to take steering wheel off anyway since I have an alcantara M wheel to install)
3. Disconnect steering rack joint and reconnect (this was extremely difficult to reconnect)

[SYT_Shadow]

Jackstands! Wow. You sir have giant balls!

Doing it through the steering wheel adjustment would be just fine. If you'll be in there anyway you might as well!

[tdott]

Originally Posted by SN1P3

How should I proceed?
2. Fix by taking off steering wheel and reattaching shifted 10 degrees (I have to take steering wheel off anyway since I have an alcantara M wheel to install)

You can't do it this way, the steering wheel is keyed and won't let you move it.

If you have it apart still, you can move it over a few teeth.

If it's back together, then don't worry about it, the alignment will take care of it.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by tdott

You can't do it this way, the steering wheel is keyed and won't let you move it.

If you have it apart still, you can move it over a few teeth.

If it's back together, then don't worry about it, the alignment will take care of it.

oh duh I forgot this, you're right

[jvictormp]

Guys, I don't know if it's that simple to keep it that way if the steering wheel is tilted different, even it being just 10 degrees.

Went through my gallery to find a picture to see, and you take a look at those teeth. They look too "precise" to tolerate a tilted fitment. I guess you can fit it tilted when the spindle is open, but when you torque down the bolt, you're gone make the teeth to tighten down disaligned. I mean a tooth sitting above the other, not side-by-side.

Don't know if I'm writing down clearly, but I'm afraid it would be worth it to remove and re-fit it again.

I've done it three times, and had a hard time fitting it once, but then I found a way it fitted easily. Just can't remember what I did

I think first of all you have to unlock the steering wheel by turning the accessories on with the key.

Then you have to raise and drop the subframe several times until it fits in easily. Could turn the wheels in order to ease the operation too.

I may be exagerating, but just felt we should discuss it a little.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

I've done it three times, and had a hard time fitting it once, but then I found a way it fitted easily. Just can't remember what I did

Wiggle it, giggle it, gotta finesse it in. Can't just shove it in

[SN1P3]

I think what happens is - when it’s unbolted for too long, the top piece expands slightly which causes it to be misaligned with the diameter of the male connector.

Also - this can be disconnected and reconnected without lowering the subframe. I reconnected AFTER bolting the subframe back up.

I’m going to attempt to disconnect and refit this weekend. Will report back.

[sebm3]

Do the oil pan bolts (not the drain bolts) need to be replaced?
I noticed that most rod bearing kits come with those, but I wasn’t sure if they need to be replaced considering they’re not high torqued.

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by sebm3

Do the oil pan bolts (not the drain bolts) need to be replaced?
I noticed that most rod bearing kits come with those, but I wasn’t sure if they need to be replaced considering they’re not high torqued.

No, nobody replaces them, neither the TIS states that.

[SN1P3]

Update:

Disconnected and reconnected steering rack u joint connection. Was able to reconnect exactly the way it was previously connected based on a paint mark I had established. Steering wheel is now perfectly centered.

Although the connection is keyed, the opening is just wide enough for you to connect the two parts 1-3 splines off center. This causes your steering wheel to be off center.


Tip: reinsert the bolt with the u joint disconnected to bring the joint connector back to the correct diameter. Once you remove the bolt, quickly line up where you’d like to make the connection and as the u joint slowly expands start to wiggle it into place.