MOT Advisory Lower Steering column

[BinJuice]

Hi all,

Had the following advisory on the past 2 MOTs on the Z3.

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play

Thing is it drives and steers fine no grating noises or extra vibration, play to the steering wheel. As I've not seen much mention of these failing I would get your thoughts on plan of action.

Replace with second hand unit?
Replace with new unit?
Leave as is and put it down to over zealous testers!

Thanks Keith

 

[andyglym]

@t-tony @Stevo7682

 

[t-tony]

Were the last 2 tests carried out by the same tester? How much mileage between the 2 tests? Sometimes a tester will look at pervious test results and think “It can only have got worse” and copy the item over. Never take your previous test certificate with you for this reason.
Unless it fails, and there has to EXCESSIVE wear, play or insecurity for it to fail the test, I wouldn’t replace it.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Is this by the same tester or 2 different ones.
If 2 different ones have to imagine there is some sort of wear to it .

Have you tried looking at it yourself.
With wheels on ground get someone to sit it car shake steering gently side to side see if you can feel any play in the UJ
If play evident even if slightly I would make inroads into changing it as if you forget about it and it deteriorated further it could lock when turning the steering and guaranteed it will be when you dont want it ( back in the day Fiestas were really bad for worn UJ)
Not something I have come across on all the zed 3's I have seen but that does not make it not a problem.
Stephen.

 

[BinJuice]

Thanks guys for the reply's, its 2 different testers, car has just topped 101k probably done 5k between tests and looked and its the last 3 with this advisory.
Stevo, I'll get out at the weekend and look for play as advised.
Not seen this as an issue as a common wear part, looks like its z3 part only and no longer available, what about a second hand unit or recon, is this an option?

Keith

 

[Andyboy]

They are still available but are about £400.

They can wear when water gets into the UJ. However it's rare and so rare that you'll pick up a good used lower column for 30 quid or whatever. I've thrown them away before. I've never been asked for one.

The part number is 32311092646.

 

[t-tony]

I would suspect that that little movement at the joint is more likely to be in the splines than the universal joint itself. Try tightening the pinch bolt(s) and see if the movement lessens or disappears.

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

Did you resolve this? @BinJuice Think I may have the same issue,

 

[BinJuice]

Hi Ian,
No didn't get this sorted it was an MOT advisory that in last 2 years has gone away.
Steering always felt fine no knocking etc, a different opinion from tester I guess!

Cheers Keith

 

[Ianmc]

Thanks Keith. Lee noticed some play in the steering UJ a few weeks ago at the Zshed. Hadn't really noticed any problem but now think I have some movement/play at the steering wheel. Due to return to the Zshed this weekend, perhaps a closer look might reveal any issue.
Cheers
Ian