Steering Coupling Price

[bigjae46]

Insert plug for the solid LPSR steering shaft. Made a very positive difference vs my brand new OEM BMW one that I removed on the metrics of mid-corner corrections and precision on center.

Interesting...any info on this? Wonder how it compares to a solid coupler insert.

[Bry5on]

Interesting...any info on this? Wonder how it compares to a solid coupler insert.

It will allow the shaft to articulate correctly at both ends, where a solid insert will over-constrain the rack and likely lead to excess wear on the pinion shaft bearings. For Left Hand Drive cars, at least.

https://www.steeringlpsr.com/product-page/bmw-e46-uni-joint-steering-column-linkage

[bigjae46]

That looks a lot more substantial than the Condor joint...which looks suspiciously like an eBay joint.

[bimmerfan08]

Two options:
-Manufacturers are only required to support a vehicle with replacement parts for something like 10 years. Beyond that if they're still making money they will produce parts otherwise they will cancel production. The result is scarce parts availability.
-Distributors like FCP or ECS have a monopoly and locked us in by offering the free replacement guarantee so they can raise prices and we feel obliged to purchase replacements (and pay the difference) regardless of part supply. They can buy up all the parts and set whatever price they want.

These are good points and valid. Looking for a comparison if one exists.

Did owners of E36 generation cars experience a similar scenario? I.e., part prices rose and became more scarce over time. Or has supply remained relatively available and pricing modest over time?

[meowth]

It will allow the shaft to articulate correctly at both ends, where a solid insert will over-constrain the rack and likely lead to excess wear on the pinion shaft bearings. For Left Hand Drive cars, at least.

https://www.steeringlpsr.com/product...column-linkage

Looks like a sweet part, would have rather gone with that than a new lower shaft and replacing the coupler guibo w poly.

The original lower shaft at about 115k miles was just as tight as the new one so I was kicking myself, but I’ve been toying with the idea of transplanting the old u joint to the new shaft and you’ve sent me over lol. Only problem is fitting the correct splines…

[e46IX]

That LPSR one, Looks like they took a stock one and modified it.

The Z4M came with a solid steering lower shaft, no flex disc like the E46. I know the splines are the same at either end, if the length is the same or very close, I will retrofit it since I happen to have one kicking around.

I also have a brand new rubber steering coupler from BMW still in packaging, I will hang onto it for a rainy day if these prices keep hiking.

[Bry5on]

That LPSR one, Looks like they took a stock one and modified it.

The Z4M came with a solid steering lower shaft, no flex disc like the E46. I know the splines are the same at either end, if the length is the same or very close, I will retrofit it since I happen to have one kicking around.

I also have a brand new rubber steering coupler from BMW still in packaging, I will hang onto it for a rainy day if these prices keep hiking.

It does look that way to me too, although I’m not sure what the donor is. The clocking on the Z4 shaft is different, and at least on the one I got my hands on, the shaft itself was telescoping and therefore not compatible with the e46. I believe it’s also longer. Keep us posted either way. I also bought several different shafts to see if there was a simple DIY, to no avail.

[elbert]

Vorshlag also has one. Don't know anything about it, except it is more expensive than the LPSR one.

https://vorshlag-store.com/collections/bmw-e46-suspension/products/vorshlag-e46-competition-steering-shaft-assembly

[bigjae46]

Vorshlag also has one. Don't know anything about it, except it is more expensive than the LPSR one.

https://vorshlag-store.com/collectio...shaft-assembly

https://www.flamingriver.com/steering-universal-joints

I guess these guys are an authority on steering stuff…

[jdamore44]

I'm guessing the URO ones are trash?

[sbay]

B-pillars are now near $300 folks…going through my FCP order history and just clicking parts to see how much they cost nowadays has become a fun pastime

[samthejam]

pain.

[fattycharged]

B-pillars are now near $300 folks…going through my FCP order history and just clicking parts to see how much they cost nowadays has become a fun pastime

😭


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[theOracle]

I have a OEM coupler with a urethane insert from Ireland Engineering. To me it is an upgrade.

[George Hill]

I have a OEM coupler with a urethane insert from Ireland Engineering. To me it is an upgrade.

IMO this is one of the most dangerous things I see people do. Urethane is not the correct material for this. A client with an E28 had a poly coupler (probably from IE as he had bought a bunch of stuff from them in the past) and it failed causing him to lose all steering. Luckily he was pulling into his turning into his neighborhood, so he was able to quickly stop it, but it could have been very bad.