bent steering column?

[unknown user]

i already started taking things out today,

[bmwstudent]

You must remove it to really check the u-joints for binding. Not the easiest job but thats probably what your problem is. Don't ignore it, it could lock up mid turn if it gets bad enough.

[unknown user]

everything looks fine, there are no cracks or anything broken.

[Gregs///M]

There is a steering linkage between the column end and steering rack. Its intention is to join the two together and break in the event of a collision. I would check that first.

[unknown user]

alright so i have an 1986 325e and when i turn the wheel it gets tough at certain points. pretty much every quarter turn it get tough. i thought it was my power steering going out but at closer inspection you can actually see the steering wheel turning awkwardly. i took the steering wheel off and then turned the column with a wrench and it was still giving me troubles. the car is currently on jack stands with no wheels. when i bought the car everything was fine and when i put a new differential in and took it for a drive it started doing this, so there is accident that could've caused this. the car has literally been in my garage ever since ive had it. so im either thinking its either a bent steering column or maybe a bad bearing? i plan to just replace the steering column with a used one but i thought id see if anyone on here has heard of this before or can tell me its something else.

sorry for the long post and thank you in advance.