ok - well, you are going to need a couple of jackstands, a decent size block of wood (4x4) to put underneath your jack to jack the engine up, your basic tools, socket wrench ( and a decent length socket extension will help), assorted sockets, pickle fork or special BMW tie rod removal tool.
First drain as much PS fluid out of the reservoir as you can using a syringe. Make sure you are on a level surface and jack up the car and put it on jackstands, then pull both wheels off. Remove the splash guard. Remove the right and left engine mounts. Put the jack under the car and put the peice of wood on the jack and very, very, carefully and slowly raise the engine about 2 inches. The fan will start to bump into the fan shroud, but you can take it probably another cm or so after it touches, that should be far enough. If you feel you need to raise it further, you can probably undo the shroud and lift if up a little more.
Ok, next remove the right tie rod fastener from the right steering knuckle, as well as the left. If you have the special BMW tool to press the tie rod out, use that, otherwise, stick a pickle fork in there and give it a few whacks. This part can be tough, but keep at it, it will eventually come loose. Make a measurement reference on the tie rod so you know how far to screw it back on when you put it on the new rack. This is to approximate correct wheel alignment when you put it back together. You will need a professional alignment done after you finish, but doing this will get it close enough to get you to the shop.
Ok... on to the rack... remove the banjo bolts on the steering rack. Some fluid will come out, so put a bucket underneath it and let it drain as you remove it. The banjo bolts are 14m and 16m. You should get some new o-ring seals (thin metal washers) to replace when you put them on the new rack.
Now remove the pinch bolt from the from the lower steering column. Pull the flex joint off the steering rack shaft.
Now remove the steering rack mounting bolts.. If I remember right, I think there are two of them. Once those are loose, you pull the rack out to the left. (to the driver's side).
This is the most difficult part of the whole procedure. Its like a puzzle, and I would most definitely enlist the help of someone to get it out. Once you get it perfectly positioned, it will basically just fall out and you should be able to pull it free from the car.
Oh... and DONT take off the little plastic peice on the new rack on the part that connects it to the steering column. That is supposed to stay on... it's there so you correctly align the steering column with the rack's position. You dont want to be driving down the road straight with your steering wheel cocked at 45 degrees... haha
The install is just the reverse of the removal procedure. Put the old tie rods on before you put the new rack on, its just easier that way.
Once you get it all buttoned up, the wheels back on, and dropped down off the jackstands, fill the reservoir with fluid, turn the car on and turn your wheel slowly to the left and right extremes. Shut it down and check the fluid level. Add some more and repeat until the fluid level stays constant. Then take it to your freindly neighborhood shop and get an alignment done.
Hope that helps.. If you get into it and get lost or need me to answer any questions you can email me at
jason.winters@fnis.com - that will go to my blackberry and I should be able to answer you right away, or give you a call.