Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

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GRNSHRK
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Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Well, looks like I'll need to have a leak repaired on the steering box at the pitman arm connection, and this is a good opportunity to replace the steering coupler as well :-k

I've seen that Ireland Engineering offers a urethane version, inexpensive at $20, but I'm concerned that it may be too harsh over the OEM rubber version :-?

Any experiences out that that can be shared [-o<

https://www.iemotorsport.com/product/ur ... g-coupler/

TIA \:D/
:mrgreen:
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Re: Serier 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by bpoliakoff »

In my bushing searches over the years, I have determined poly bushings are too hard and if you aren't racing, they aren't the way to go. I am using a new original steering coupler from BMW and am more than pleases with it.There is not any vibration in the column and drives smooth. Aside from the fact that it is a NOS BMW part , there is a reason why the poly is so much cheaper. Read Ireland's description.."A must have for racing and performance cars"
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by Slownrusty »

Bob - Got your PM and thought I would reply on this thread so that others could benefit from my experience.

I installed the IE poly urethane steering coupling and was very happy with the following:
1) Quality of the part
2) Price of the part
3) Ease of Installation
4) Feel of the steering after the installation, on other words perfect for a street driven car.

Pictures.
1979_bmw_635csi_16203356514054afec1684ba8fb2New-Steering-Coupling-1.jpg
1979_bmw_635csi_16203356514054afec1684ba8fb2New-Steering-Coupling-1.jpg (664.81 KiB) Viewed 2638 times
1617589692684ba8fb26Chassis-31.jpg
1617589692684ba8fb26Chassis-31.jpg (450.49 KiB) Viewed 2638 times
GRNSHRK
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Thanks Bert and Yasin, I greatly appreciate the feedback =D>

I also spoke with Klaus, well known BMW master mechanic, and while he has an OEM version sitting in the shelf, he too is planning on going with the urethane IE version :-"

Ironically, he too also has the same steering box leak that I have ](*,)

Figures I guess, since our 6ers are only 1 MY apart :-"

I have already ordered the IE version and will follow up once the repairs are complete, hopefully next week when I can get her into a shop [-o<
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by Ralph in Socal »

I abandoned the e12 style steering coupler and upgraded to the aluninum U-joint type used on the e28. There was a reason BMW changed the design so I'm just following their lead.

Ralph
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Ralph, you should post that photo that you sent to me via text, or I guess I can as well :roll:

I've never seen that version, but then I'm not all that schooled on the E28 chassis either [-(

It does appear impressive and far more robust :-k
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Here's the pic of the E28 steering coupler :-"
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E28 steering coupler.jpg
E28 steering coupler.jpg (30.28 KiB) Viewed 2618 times
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by Dmckim »

+1 on the leaking steering box.

Would be interested in your experience on the repair and what was done. I was told by one shop that I needed to replace the entire box.

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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by bpoliakoff »

Get ahold of Jay Stratton. His work is impeccable. He just did my PS pump and I am very pleased. By the way, the pump was a Rockauto rebuild and lasted about 60 miles
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Thanks for the tips gents, Dale, great to hear from you :shock:

Turns out that it's not the steering box that's leaking after all, it's the brake M/C :-({|=

I should have known better, since the fluid that was dripping out was amber in color, not red, the ATF used in the power steering system #-o

I'm still working on getting the top clamp of the coupler removed, as the retaining bolt is not cooperating ](*,)

More to follow in a new thread once I get that issue sorted [-o<
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

OK, after finally getting the original coupler brackets removed, I decided to go with the E28 U-joint version, which appears to be a nice upgrade to the rubber disk, which, by the way, was in surprisingly good shape =D>

Here's how it looks \:D/

Now I can get back to the original problem, replacing the leaking brake M/C, after refinishing the vacuum booster :-"
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by Slownrusty »

Bob - How does the steering feel with the E28 coupler vs the older E24 design?

Thanks,
Yasin
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Well, I wish I could tell you Yasin, but I haven't got the 6er back together yet :oops:

The weather has been cool and crappy, just dealing with other things and stalling :roll:

But I will report back, soon, I hope [-o<
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Follow up, I did finally get the green shark out last Saturday, but I was on the hunt for meds and wasn't really paying any attention to the steering feel :roll:

I really need to get her on some twisty roads, but that's gonna be a while, since I was out for COVID-19 test kits and whatnot, which I now have as well ](*,)

Not fun fellas, this has currently got me down pretty good, 4 days in :-?

The missus (likely source, long story :-" ) came home from a gals outing last Friday sick with COVID and is sounding much better today, so I am hoping that I am just a couple more days from recovery [-o<

Bottom line, I do think that BMW went to the U-joint version of steering coupler for a reason, although my original was in amazingly good condition \:D/
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by hornhospital »

Hope you and the missus both have speedy recoveries!
Ken Kanne
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Thanks Ken, light at the end of the tunnel (and no, it's not an oncoming train, I would have heard your refurbished horn :lol: ) just a few more days [-o<

I wouldn't wish this on my enemas, er, enemies :roll:
:mrgreen:
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Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?

Post by 86_6series »

I had it last year, no fun indeed. Wishing you and your wife an easy recovery.
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