E24 6-Series

1976-1989 / Coupe / Germany

All E24 6-Series problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension and Steering

12. Steering Box Wear

Symptoms

Excessive play in the steering. The car wanders at highway speed. The steering feels vague off-centre and requires constant correction.

Cause

The E24 uses a recirculating-ball power steering box. The internal ball bearings and races wear over time, introducing play. The adjustment screw on the box can take up some slack, but excessive adjustment causes binding.

Fix

A rebuilt steering box is the proper fix.

Do not over-tighten the adjuster, this causes the steering to bind at certain angles.

Rebuilt units: $800-1,200 exchange.

Fitting: 2-3 hours.

A specialist can rebuild your unit for $600-900.

Aftermarket aftermarket ZF-type boxes are available but quality varies.

Cost mentioned in fix

$800-1,200$600-900

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// More E24 6-Series problems

Other known issues

Critical Suspension and Steering

13. Front Strut Tower Cracking

Cracks appear in the sheet metal around the front strut top mount. In advanced cases, the strut tower deforms under load, changing the front suspension geometry.

Minor Structural and Body

1. Front Subframe Mount Corrosion

The front subframe mounting points corrode from road spray and accumulated grime. In advanced cases, the mount tears away from the body under braking or over bumps, causing a complete loss of front suspension geometry.

Minor Structural and Body

2. Rear Trailing Arm Pickup Point Corrosion

The rear trailing arm mounting points weaken from corrosion, causing the rear suspension to shift under load. Symptoms include vague rear-end handling, uneven rear tyre wear, and clunking from the rear when cornering.

Critical Structural and Body

3. Windscreen Surround Corrosion

Bubbling paint around the windscreen edges, particularly at the lower corners. By the time paint is bubbling, the underlying metal is often perforated.

Common Structural and Body

4. Door Bottom Corrosion

The lower edges of the doors develop rust bubbles. In advanced cases, the door skin perforates. Paint appears to blister from the inside out.

Critical Engine, M30 (633CSi, 635CSi)

5. Timing Chain and Tensioner Wear

Rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting 2-10 seconds until oil pressure builds. In severe cases, the rattle persists when warm. If the chain jumps teeth, the engine timing shifts and performance drops dramatically, in worst cases, valve-to-piston contact occurs.

View all 15 E24 6-Series problems