Airbag and Non Airbag Steering column difference?

[gnarlycreature]

I have an 85 325e. I am replacing the steering column linkage, bushing, ect.

I am running an e36 m3 rack.

Reassons i am replacing the lower column.
The steering feels floaty and disconnected.
It binds and clunks at low steering speeds.
If you shake the steering wheel and look at the column you can see the bushing flex a lot. There is also play in the universal.

Is anyone aware of the differences between an airbag and non airbag column?
Are the splines different?

[110stx]

The splines are the same between my 1989 nonairbag car and my 1991 airbag car.

The difference is in the depth of the shouldered area just below the threads for the steering wheel.

You have to add about 9mm of spacer between the nut and the wheel.

I used a bmw spacer , but I don't have the part number handy.

[gnarlycreature]

The splines are the same between my 1989 nonairbag car and my 1991 airbag car.

The difference is in the depth of the shouldered area just below the threads for the steering wheel.

You have to add about 9mm of spacer between the nut and the wheel.

I used a bmw spacer , but I don't have the part number handy.

So it is only the upper part of the rack that differs?

[gnarlycreature]

Uppppp