Steering coupler slop / looseness

[LateFan]

We've replaced all the tie rods, ball joints, bushings, control arms, etc. Rack is tight. Alignment good.

There's still a bit of looseness on-center in the steering, and a bit of a rattle / chatter in the steering column sometimes.

I think it's in this joint, which looks a bit different than the OEM drawings I've found. Was something changed here?



Does this piece replace only the rubber spacer piece on the right in the photo above?



The play is in the coupling joint between the shaft sections. That steel plate between sections isn't sandwiched tight in there.

Should it be?

Thanks -

[LateFan]

I found a reference to a recall…."#86V-138 is for the steering coupling recall." ..and…"Service bulletin 32 02 86 (1281)"

http://da3rx.com/vares/BMW%20E30%20M3%20Repair%20Manual/BMW%20E30%20M3%20Repair%20Manual/miscellaneous/recall_campaign_codes.htm

But so far I haven't found any description or photos.

EDIT - Found a thread with clues…

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=99423

[LateFan]

I got an email from e30_302, but I don't see his post appearing here….here's what he said:

"Yikes. Unless that's some variant of OE linkage I'm not aware of....that's not right. "

[LateFan]

Recall description:

"32 02 86 (1281) Recall Campaign 86V-138; steering coupling.

Install plates on column knuckle to prevent it separating , causing loss of steering in accident.

December 1986"

I think ours has the plates.
But the steering column is rattling on-center.

I'll check the joint and the one under the driver's panel and see what I find.

[e30_302]

I posted that and deleted it because I'm fairly sure I was wrong...

[LateFan]

Well, maybe not...

I think maybe your photo is OEM, and my photo shows the recall plates added to it.

I just want to get all the play out of the sytem.