Steering gear facts:
In the event of accidents or driving conditions similar to accidents, shock-like loads can cause different types of damage to steering boxes. When a steering box is externally undamaged, it is sometimes only possible to identify damage with great difficulty and with great effort. However, damage of this nature poses an unacceptable risk to the vehicle because it can result in failure of the steering system.
Due to the disproportionate amount of effort involved, it is generally not sensible to check thoroughly all the individual components of the steering box and as an alternative it is necessary to take into account other components which can be checked more easily.
Steering gear procedure:
The steering box must be replaced if one or more of the following points apply:
A. Visible or noticeable damage to the steering box
B. Unacceptable torque increase and jamming when the steering box is turned from lock to lock (without hydraulic/electrical assistance)
C. Permissible tolerances exceeded during axle/wheel alignment (include alignment record with invoice/report if necessary)
D. Fire damage
E. Damage, permanent deformation or fractures to:
NOTE: If the steering box replacement work which is required for safety reasons is refused by the customer or an insurance company for cost reasons, a memorandum to that effect must be drawn up and countersigned by the party bearing the costs of the accident repair.
Facts on steering column and steering shaft: In the event of accidents or driving conditions similar to accidents, shock-like loads can cause different types of damage to the steering shafts and to the steering columns. In case no external damaged of the steering column and the steering shaft can be noticed, it is sometimes only possible to identify damage with great difficulty and with great effort.
Procedure for steering column and steering shaft: The steering column and the steering shaft need to replaced if one or more of the following points apply:
If there is no visible damage to the steering column, the steering column needs to be checked for an activated crash system:
NOTE: If the replacement of the steering column/steering shaft work which is required for safety reasons is refused by the customer or an insurance company for cost reasons, a memorandum to that effect must be drawn up and countersigned by the party bearing the costs of the accident repair.
IMPORTANT: The vehicle's operating licence will be invalidated whenever the function of any of its safety components is compromised!
This guideline is binding for all accident repairs to BMW and MINI vehicles!
BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual > Front axle: Extractor
Extractor Mechanical tool
NOTE: For removing the track rod from the front axle
Storage Location
C41
SI number
01 03 00 (554)
Extractor Minimum set: Mechanical tools AM
NOTE:
For removing the output shafts from the front axle differential --> E46/16
Storage Location
A41
B41
SI numbe ...