bmw E39 steering column up/down adjustment failure

[BAM3]

The white plastic cover with the molded wire just slides into the slots to drive the system .
Just use some needle-nose plyers and pull it out .

My 540 just started some weird behavior tonight. When i turn the car off, the wheel adjusts all the way to the bottom. The stalk will only adjust the wheel up if i add pressure. Did you fix yours yet? Did the adjustment shaft fix your issue?

[Jason5driver]

My 540 just started some weird behavior tonight. When i turn the car off, the wheel adjusts all the way to the bottom. The stalk will only adjust the wheel up if i add pressure. Did you fix yours yet? Did the adjustment shaft fix your issue?

Yes , I replaced the wire rod .
Look on post #8 , 2nd picture , there's a picture of the part with the white plastic around it ...

[BAM3]

Yes , I replaced the wire rod .
Look on post #8 , 2nd picture , there's a picture of the part with the white plastic around it ...

Got it. I ordered from FCP this morning. Reminds me of the seat motor (with twist) set up.

Do you think the common failure mode is the threaded rod shearing like yours? I’m not 100% what broke but the fix doesn’t seem terrible. I was a bit worried earlier in this thread when i read about steering column replacement.

Thanks for the help!

[Jason5driver]

Got it. I ordered from FCP this morning. Reminds me of the seat motor (with twist) set up.

Do you think the common failure mode is the threaded rod shearing like yours? I’m not 100% what broke but the fix doesn’t seem terrible. I was a bit worried earlier in this thread when i read about steering column replacement.

Thanks for the help!

I think the wire rod gets stretched and eventually breaks over time .

[BAM3]

I just pulled everything apart and replaced the rod. Go figure.....my rod was fine. The white nut stripped. Does anyone have an idea of what size that bolt is? Looks like i will have to lock my wheel in the highest position.


EDIT - I bought a whole bunch of metric nuts. I believe M12 was the one. I also unplugged the up/down motor while i was there.

[Jason5driver]

I just pulled everything apart and replaced the rod. Go figure.....my rod was fine. The white nut stripped. Does anyone have an idea of what size that bolt is? Looks like i will have to lock my wheel in the highest position.


EDIT - I bought a whole bunch of metric nuts. I believe M12 was the one. I also unplugged the up/down motor while i was there.

Pictures ?

[BAM3]

Pictures ?

No pics. I was moving at pace on this one between work calls.

[BringsManyWins]

Sorry, i may have missed something how do i go about MANUALLY ADJUSTING it? I just want to put it in a nice position then pull the plug. I use my car for time attack, and the wheel position is kinda annoying all the way up. I also have a quick release, so getting in and out is no issue. 🤙

[crdiscoverer]

See if there's a fuse just for it? That'd be the easiest thing to do IMO. If the fuse disables other things, see if you can live without them (say, electric mirrors or such). Otherwise, there should be a pigtail connecting to the motor, get some hints from this E53 video which should be fairly similar if not identical: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHntPDeX938

[BringsManyWins]

I'm pretty sure the seats and the wheel are on the same fuse that's why i wasn't going to take it out. I was just going to unplug the pigtail. That's no big deal. My wheel only adjusts in and out and grinds when trying to move up and down. I would only like to know how how to manually adjust the wheel up, and down. Do i need to go inside the motor and spin the gears? Or can i just spin something on the outside? I appreciate the help though.

[MtnGn]

Yes, BringsManyWins, the seat and the steering column motor are on the same circuit/fuse.