Steering gets caught, lower joint assembly bent ???

[tripslipfall]

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/q/0.png

#2 in that picture, is bent badly. It rubs up against the dipstick... Looks like another thing I'll have to replace.

Does anybody have any idea why it would be bent? I'll try to get pictures tomorrow when it's daylight.

[blackongrey]

Someone used the power steering when the wheels were against an immobile force?

[tripslipfall]

You think that would do it? If so then it's very possible the PO did that, it's been like that since the day I bought it, I just now found out what it was.

[flyfishvt]

That piecee was badly bent on my 95 325. Under the rubber sheath is a ribbed portion and it bends like a bendy straw. I used a pry bar to bend it back so it was close to straight. Mine was also rubbing on the dipstick. I drove that car for about 25k after that and never had an issue.

In my case it was probably caused by and accident. My car was in a front end crash at some point many years before I got it.

[tripslipfall]

Mine was in a front end crash before I got it as well, but nothing else seems to be bent. I think I'll just replace it with a good one from the junkyard.

[flyfishvt]

I think I'll just replace it with a good one from the junkyard.

That works too. Make sure you go to confession after you swap it out. You'll need it.