BMW 5 series E61 inner tie rod change

[reb78]

I need to change the inner tie rods on my 2006 E61 5 series.

I am going to do the inner and outer tie rods on both sides even though its just the inner ball joint on the driver side where it connects to the rack that has gone.

The rack is just a stainless ram - it has no flats to support it when disconnecting or tightening the new inner toe rod into the rack. Putting any pipe clamps on the ram will damage it. Do I just tighten the inner nut up and against the rack and let the internals stop it from turning. Its 81ft lb so not silly tight but it just seems counterintuitive not to grip both the nut of the thing you are tightening and the thing you are tightening against to support it. The WSM just says to turn the wheels to retract the rack on the side you are working on.

This guy shows the whole process - he undoes without holding anything and doesnt show doing up.

(see 12:15)

This guy puts mole grips on the rack end but you can see he has scuffed it up and dug into it by doing so -

(see 5:00 and the mess it makes at 7:03)

Do i just nip it up tight with nothing holding the rack ram

 

[Kram]

Dont know on this specifically but using grips directly on chrome is terrible.

If you have any cheap/scrap webbing, wrap that tightly around before the grips to protect it.
If the webbing slips, then coat it in superglue, allow to dry before adding the grips. Superglue easily removed after with acetone/thinners/solvents.

 

[reb78]

Dont know on this specifically but using grips directly on chrome is terrible.

If you have any cheap/scrap webbing, wrap that tightly around before the grips to protect it.
If the webbing slips, then coat it in superglue, allow to dry before adding the grips. Superglue easily removed after with acetone/thinners/solvents.

Yes. The damage the guy with the mole grips caused wasn't good IMO. I suspect that section doesn't run inside the seal because if it did it would soon ruin it!

 

[dieselman]

Ideally you need to either remove the rack, or have some of the rack teeth exposed, then use a flat wide spanner, such as an adjustable, grip across the flat of the rack teeth.
I've not done a BMW rack, but have some experience on Citroen ones. 81Lb-Ft sounds enough to stress the pinion.

 

[Kram]

I should add to my above post, do a test on a scrap bit of steel/chrome to see if it marks, it shouldnt if webbing is used, as its stronger and thicker than normal cloth.

 

[reb78]

Ideally you need to either remove the rack, or have some of the rack teeth exposed, then use a flat wide spanner, such as an adjustable, grip across the flat of the rack teeth.
I've not done a BMW rack, but have some experience on Citroen ones. 81Lb-Ft sounds enough to stress the pinion.

All the how to videos show the passenger side. Both Haynes and the official BMW wsm make no mention of holding the rack... but that still doesmt feel right!! However, having had a look at some pictures of second hand racks, on the drivers side the rack itself will protrude and it does indeed have some flats on it.

So I think do both sides as planned and I can hold the rack on the drivers side when I attach the inner tie rod to the passenger side.

Should I use a medium thread lock on these tie rods where they screw into the rack ends?

 

[AVI_8]

I’ve done quite a few of these on BMW’s, I’ve just unscrewed it from the rack, same with tightening, never had any issues, it’s not that tight and comes off with minimal force.

 

[reb78]

I’ve done quite a few of these on BMW’s, I’ve just unscrewed it from the rack, same with tightening, never had any issues, it’s not that tight and comes off with minimal force.

I like to worry. I am probably worrying about nothing. Its more judging when to stop tightening it - given what it is I know i will want to make sure it is tight!

 

[AVI_8]

I like to worry. I am probably worrying about nothing. Its more judging when to stop tightening it - given what it is I know i will want to make sure it is tight!

You’re possibly overthinking it, judge by how much force is needed to remove it, there won’t be any rusty parts here, and try to replicate that force when tightening, it’s not that tight.
I didn’t have a spanner big enough, used my Stilsons with a rag so as to not mark the splines, that worked fine.

 

[Superbad]

I don't understand the need to clamp the rack...is it likely to turn? When I did my Focus,I used one of these tools

 

[reb78]

I don't understand the need to clamp the rack...is it likely to turn? When I did my Focus,I used one of these tools

I looked for those but cant find stock anywhere. Where did you get yours? (although reddit opens a whole other can of worms with this tool with people arguing that it needs a different torque so as not to overtighten due to the way the torque is applied!)

 

[reb78]

You’re possibly overthinking it, judge by how much force is needed to remove it, there won’t be any rusty parts here, and try to replicate that force when tightening, it’s not that tight.
I didn’t have a spanner big enough, used my Stilsons with a rag so as to not mark the splines, that worked fine.

I think my big adjustable will get up to 38mm, if not, the neighbour will have a set that big for his tractor.

 

[AVI_8]

I looked for those but cant find stock anywhere. Where did you get yours? (although reddit opens a whole other can of worms with this tool with people arguing that it needs a different torque so as not to overtighten due to the way the torque is applied!)

I wouldn’t use any tool to hold any part of the rack which runs through the seal, doing so would risk the seal to fail as it needs a smooth surface, and it’s not necessary, in my opinion.

 

[reb78]

I wouldn’t use any tool to hold any part of the rack which runs through the seal, doing so would risk the seal to fail as it needs a smooth surface, and it’s not necessary, in my opinion.

That tool goes round the 38mm nut of the rod end and is supposed to let you use a torque wrench on it I think.

 

[AVI_8]

That tool goes round the 38mm nut of the rod end and is supposed to let you use a torque wrench on it I think.

Ah ok, I thought it was for holding the rack arm.
Stilsons work just fine though if you have one, if not a cheap 38mm spanner probably wouldn’t cost any more, I just used what I had.

 

[Superbad]

I looked for those but cant find stock anywhere. Where did you get yours? (although reddit opens a whole other can of worms with this tool with people arguing that it needs a different torque so as not to overtighten due to the way the torque is applied!)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155914715502 I used a impact gun on low setting....400nm...might of been 135nm.....hand tight is about 25nm,and that will suffice

 

[premmington]

4pc Inner Track Rod End Remover Tool Steering Rack Knuckle Tie Rod Axial Joint | eBay UK

28pcs Radiator Pressure Tester Coolant Purge Refill Vacuum Cooling System Kit UK. Without the need to dismantle steering rack form the bulkhead. 8Pcs 1/2" Drive Alloy Wheel Nut Thin Wall Deep Impact Socket Set 15mm-27mm set.

www.ebay.co.uk

I got a three part kit like this - plus one other early roller/tube one

 

[reb78]

4pc Inner Track Rod End Remover Tool Steering Rack Knuckle Tie Rod Axial Joint | eBay UK

28pcs Radiator Pressure Tester Coolant Purge Refill Vacuum Cooling System Kit UK. Without the need to dismantle steering rack form the bulkhead. 8Pcs 1/2" Drive Alloy Wheel Nut Thin Wall Deep Impact Socket Set 15mm-27mm set.

www.ebay.co.uk

I got a three part kit like this - plus one other early roller/tube one

And with that, do you just put it on and torque up without worrying about holding the rack?

(I seem obsessed, even to myself! I just don't want to damage it!)

 

[premmington]

And with that, do you just put it on and torque up without worrying about holding the rack?

(I seem obsessed, even to myself! I just don't want to damage it!)

I never "held" a rack ever....

You just gotta retract the rack - by turning the steering wheel all the way - the other way (if you understand what I am weakly trying to say...?)

If you turn the steering wheel so it retracts the rack ram - all the way "in" - it is then supported.

"the risk is - if you bring the rack out all the way to get access and do it with stilsons - big spanner"

 

[Kayos]

Never done a BMW but done a few Vauxhalls and my old Escort van

No issues unbolting with either a spanner on some flats or just turning

I did thread lock the Escort but then thought how could it ever undo? So I haven't threadlocked one since