2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 320201 Date: 010701

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 320201 Date: 010701

Steering Gear - Replacement Due to Accident Damage

GROUP 32

Steering and Wheel Alignment

32 02 01

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

July 2001

Service Engineering

This Service Information bulletins replaces S.I. 32 04 84 dated September 1984. Please remove S.I. 32 04 84 from your binder and discard.

SUBJECT

Replacement of Steering Gear Due to Accident Damage

MODEL

All

SITUATION

Impacts due to accidents or similar driving conditions can cause damage to steering boxes or racks. It may be extremely difficult to diagnose internal

damage to steering boxes or racks which otherwise appear undamaged externally.

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A thorough internal check of steering gears is generally not economically feasible. However, damage to other related components can be taken into

consideration when deciding whether a steering gear must be replaced.

PROCEDURE

The steering gear does NOT have to be replaced if:

There is no visible damage to front axle parts such as spring struts, hubs or spindles, control arms or wish bones, thrust or tension rods or stabilizers

performing a locating function, steering drop arms or Pitman arms, track rods or drag links, tie rods, front axle subframe, steering column, and

attachment points for suspension components to body.

-- There is no binding or increase in turning effort when operating the steering gear from lock to lock with engine off.

-- The impact has not caused the wheel alignment to become not adjustable within specified tolerances using normal adjustment procedures.

The steering gear MUST be replaced if:

-- There is visible damage to the steering gear, including blackening or discoloration of the housing from fire damage.

-- There is any permanent deformation or cracks on:

Steering gear mounts;

Front axle subframe;

Steering drop arms or Pitman arms

Spring struts;

Spindles or hubs;

Steering column;

Control arms or wishbones (except damage caused by improper towing or tie-downs);

Thrust or tension rods or stabilizers performing a locating function (except damage caused by improper towing or tie-downs);

Track rods or drag links and tie rods (except damage caused by improper towing or tie-downs)

If a recommended replacement under the criteria described above is refused by the customer or insurance company, the repair order should be so

noted and signed by the refusing party.