HEAVY steering

[abh3]

My '73 Series 3 has developed very heavy steering with a 'gronk' sound in what seems to be the upper steering column when the wheel is turned. Is there an upper bearing that seizes? Does this send bits down the tube requiring the whole box/shaft/column to be disassembled to get the pieces out? Any pullers or specialized tools needed?

I'd like to have what I need on hand so as to be able to R&R at the same time as it's dissasembled, I'm really bad about taking things apart, with the intention of ordering parts, where they then sit for years until they wind up as scrap, several old BMW 2002s that deserved better can attest to that!

Thanks for your input.

[jimfoo]

On my IIA, which is probably similar, I forgot to put the spring back in place behind the steering wheel which applies pressure to a bearing back there. The balls started coming out and binding the wheel. Yours could be failing, and yes it does cause very heavy steering. Take the wheel off and you should be able to see it.

[launchpad]

be careful, when you start taking things apart you will have ball bearings everywhere.

Pull the steering wheel off and look at the top race, if there are bbearings missing they could be down in your steering box or in your steering column. the steering box is extensive to put back together, lots of bigger ballbearings. if you are going to take it apart, order your gaskets and spacers ahead of time.

dont break the steering nut, the steering box is a little spendy and hard to find since they are no longer manufactured for a decent price.

[abh3]

Thanks for the info, maybe I'll get lucky and the bearings haven't migrated down the steering tube... While messing with it yesterday it does seem there is too much side to side play at the top of the column so this makes sense to me...