Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
32 31 070 Removing And Installing/Replacing Lower Section Of Steering Shaft
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).
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 .
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.
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!
Replace clamping bolt.
Tightening torque: 32 31 2AZ
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.
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 "
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.