32 31 102 Replacing bottom steering shaft

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 18 other vehicles, including the 2015 BMW Alpina B7L xDrive, 2015 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive, 2015 BMW 750i xDrive, 2015 BMW 750Li xDrive, and 2015 BMW 740Li xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove COVER OF PEDAL MECHANISM .
Remove underbody protection at front and rear. See REMOVING FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION and REMOVING REAR UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Remove stiffening plate.
Remove EXHAUST SYSTEM (N63 only).
Remove CATALYTIC CONVERTER (only N63).
Remove heat shield (N63 only).
Release screw connection for universal joint with corrugated tubing on bottom steering shaft and pull off universal joint.

Release screws (1) from cover (2) on bulkhead.

Fig 1: Identifying Bulkhead Cover With Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull cover towards front until steering shaft collar is visible.

Pull out both expanding pins (see arrows) from steering shaft collar.

Fig 2: Locating Steering Shaft Collar Expanding Pins

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Before removal: Mark connection of steering shaft/steering column in relation to each other with mark (1)!
Non-compliance results in steering wheel inclination!

Release screw (2) and pull off steering shaft!

Installation note:

Replace screw.

Clean screw threads to remove all remnants of screw locking adhesive.

Fig 3: Identifying Steering Shaft Screw And Mark

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Screw must lie in groove of steering column shaft.

No subsequent retorquing permitted!

Tightening torque 32 31 3AZ .

Press in latch mechanisms (see arrows) from footwell and press out complete steering shaft collar (1) with steering shaft from bulkhead.

Remove steering shaft towards bottom from engine compartment complete with cover for bulkhead and steering shaft collar!

Fig 4: Identifying Steering Shaft Collar

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.