1991 318i steering clunk???

[318idol]

Hi, all...

Got a 1991 318i. I have small, but nagging "clunk" that is heard under the dash, seemingly part of the steering. If I wiggle the steering back and forth about a inch quickly, I get a clunk, clunk, clunk. It also clunks if you drive the car over small, sharp road irregularities, like a shallow pot hole, at slow speeds (under 20 mph).

I have replaced the steering coupler to the rack and tightened the big nut on lower section of the steering column that affixes the telescoping inner column.

What else cold it be? Would a ball joint, tie rod make that sound? The steering still feels tight.

I'm flummoxed!

Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks, Gary

[Knockenwelle]

Airbag car, right?

Get rid of that POS column and replace it with a pre-airbag version. Do this, and the earlier 2-joint coupler bolts right in, too. Just did mine this way ('91 325i), using my stock rack, too. Lots of bullshit little plastic bushings and garbage in the airbag column to wear out, and not worth fixing...

[91e30181]

Both of my 91's do that and I was told to tighten the nut (or bolt?) even if it appears to be tight....just keep tightening Im told. Havent tried it yet because one car is in storage and the other in a million pieces. Will be trying it next week though, so I will keep you posted or vice-versa

[gearheadE30]

Tightening the nut on the bottom of the shaft helped for me. There is a little clunk still, but I think it is something else because steering doesn't effect it anymore.