Replace entire steering coupling?

[noahb]

Has anyone else had to replace the whole steering coupling instead of just the flex disk? I thought I needed just the disk but upon further inspection, the disk doesnt seem to have any play, but there is definitely play in the wheel. So should I replace the whole steering coupling or could it be something else that Im missing?

Thanks!

[E30 331is]

Try tightening the shaftnut in the footwell.

[noahb]

that helped a little.. still kinda loose though. kinda looks like its happening where the steering column meets the rack. Is this common? the car has 160K on it

[Gooch]

I replaced the entire steering u-joint assembly when I did my S52 swap. There was always play in the steering even with the large nut under the knee bolster tightened, as well all new tie rods, control arms, THR eyeball arms, etc. When I took the old assembly out the u-joints just flopped around loosely. A new u-joint assembly plus a Z3 steering rack was one of the absolute best upgrades I've done to the car. Everything is tight now and the car feels so much more nimble.