Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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
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
https://www.iemotorsport.com/product/ur ... g-coupler/
TIA
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
https://www.iemotorsport.com/product/ur ... g-coupler/
TIA
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3312
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:28 pm
- Location: scottsdale, arizona
- Contact:
Re: Serier 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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"
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
- Slownrusty
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:22 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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.
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.
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Thanks Bert and Yasin, I greatly appreciate the feedback
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
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
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
- Ralph in Socal
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 2745
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:32 am
- Location: High Desert of SoCal
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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
Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.
85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Ralph, you should post that photo that you sent to me via text, or I guess I can as well
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
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
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Here's the pic of the E28 steering coupler
- Attachments
-
- E28 steering coupler.jpg (30.28 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
+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.
Dale
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.
Dale
1980 633CSi
1987 325is (sold)
2001 740iL Sport (sold)
2007 328xiT (Sold)
2014 320dT (Sold)
Current: 2023 Jetta GLI M/T
2007 GMC Sierra,
1972 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible
1987 325is (sold)
2001 740iL Sport (sold)
2007 328xiT (Sold)
2014 320dT (Sold)
Current: 2023 Jetta GLI M/T
2007 GMC Sierra,
1972 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3312
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:28 pm
- Location: scottsdale, arizona
- Contact:
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Thanks for the tips gents, Dale, great to hear from you
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
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
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
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
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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
Here's how it looks
Now I can get back to the original problem, replacing the leaking brake M/C, after refinishing the vacuum booster
Here's how it looks
Now I can get back to the original problem, replacing the leaking brake M/C, after refinishing the vacuum booster
- Attachments
-
- IMG_4439.JPG (1.08 MiB) Viewed 2430 times
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
- Slownrusty
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:22 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Bob - How does the steering feel with the E28 coupler vs the older E24 design?
Thanks,
Yasin
Thanks,
Yasin
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Well, I wish I could tell you Yasin, but I haven't got the 6er back together yet
The weather has been cool and crappy, just dealing with other things and stalling
But I will report back, soon, I hope
The weather has been cool and crappy, just dealing with other things and stalling
But I will report back, soon, I hope
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
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
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
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
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
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
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
- hornhospital
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 2929
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
- Location: Silverhill, AL
- Contact:
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Hope you and the missus both have speedy recoveries!
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3710
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:24 pm
- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
Thanks Ken, light at the end of the tunnel (and no, it's not an oncoming train, I would have heard your refurbished horn ) just a few more days
I wouldn't wish this on my enemas, er, enemies
I wouldn't wish this on my enemas, er, enemies
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
- 86_6series
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:08 pm
- Location: West Nyack, NY
Re: Series 1 steering coupler - OEM or aftermarket?
I had it last year, no fun indeed. Wishing you and your wife an easy recovery.
86-635CSi
96-MB C220 SOLD
98-740i
71-Continental MK3
96-MB C220 SOLD
98-740i
71-Continental MK3