Steering universal joint…

[Spencer]

Is this a wear item? If so, how long does it typically last? My car has been babied with only 110K miles and my mechanic is telling me it needs to be replaced to pass an inspection. Origianlly I didn't question him but he also said it needs pads but when I took it home to replace the pads myself I noted that the front pads were >50% and the rear were almost NEW.

TIA
Spencer

[Kip]

Just fought with mine last night while putting a new rack on. 200K+ miles, and the damn thing is fine. I believe that rubber flex joint can wear, check it. As for the u-joints, check like any U-joint.

Sounds like you may be getting played, altho why anyone would want to change this cocksucker is beyond me. Ultra PITA to work on.

[Spencer]

Well he brought me under the car and put like a pry bar on the thing and gave it a little jiggle. He said " there should be no play here". It hardly moved if you ask me but I don't know how it should be. :-S I"m just questioning him b/c of the brakes.

-Spencer

[DanGillan]

tell him to shut his fucking mouth and go to another gas station for your inspection.

[RobertK]

It's a vulcanized rubber flex disc designed to absorb shock of course it's going to flex when you pry on it.

If you absolutely feel that you have to replace it I would fab an aluminum replacment that will never have to be replaced again. But even a new one will flex. I'm with DanGillan. go somewhere else

[JRowe]

Turn the mechanic in to the BBB or some regulatory body in the area. It pisses me off when anyone tries to rip another person off.

[HST]

I call

[Spencer]

HST - you call bs to replacement???

Anyway, in what way would this part fail? Are there driving symptoms to the failure?

-Spencer

[Kip]

Are there driving symptoms to the failure?

-Spencer

The utter inability to steer would suggest failure... if it sheared and completely failed. Loose steering could be an example of wear.

Jack it up, jackstand it, have someone turn the wheel slightly side to side as you look at from underneath. If U-joints are bad, you should be able to see it or feel it if you hold joint. Be careful they don't rip your hand off with turning the steering.

As stated, they are supposed to flex at flex disc.

Is your steering sloppy? What led you to this part? Just the mechanic doing a state inspection?

[Spencer]

Thanks for the reply.
The front of my car is on jackstands right now as if just did the front pads and rotors and I'm attempting control arms tonight. I'll take a look at the U joint tonight - thanks for telling me wha tto look for.

This is an out of province inspection so I guess like a state inspection. The shop didn't even drive the car - except from the parking lot to the lift. I don't find the steering to be sloppy at all I don't know what led him to this part. As I said before he put a pry bar on it and jiggled it around a bit :-S

-Spencer

[HST]

HST - you call bs to replacement???

Anyway, in what way would this part fail? Are there driving symptoms to the failure?

-Spencer

Yup. There is a "flex disk" there that might need to be replaced as stated above, but you steering would be really really terrible if it was bad. When we did RK's rack his disk was it perfect shape at over 200K. So I say I bet your fine.

[RobertK]

I don't believe the flex disc is really meant to ever be replaced as a single part because the motherfucker is riveted in place.



Here is pic from when I had to modify my steering rack for the E36 steering rack swap. The flex disc is that black rubber piece riveted on the knuckle. My car has over 250K miles and when I removed my steering knuckle it was just fine. My U joints were perfect too so I'm doubtfull either is bad

Your mechanic is either (A) Not worthy nor knowledgeable enough about BMWs to work on them or (B) Running low on smokes and cigs and needs some extra kizzal.

[Spencer]

The shop has a great reputation and I've used them before. I think I'm going to try to find another shop to do the re-inspection.

Thanks for the info people.

[Brew]

Those joints can wear out and they will cause some play in the steering.
The joints can also stiffen up and cause binding.
It should be replaced if it's binding or there is a significant amount of play (there is a specification in MA State Inspection rulebook for the max play, not sure about elsewhere).