Last part of the steering equation. There was still a little slop, and I determined it was coming from the steering linkage. Expected some, but figured it was an easy item to fix later. The only problem right now is that my 535is project (
http://535isrestoration.blogspot.com/) is currently occupying the garage while I wait for replacement struts, so I can't put the new linkage in until I get it out of the garage.
I also experimented with a shift lever that I got out of a Z3 in the junk yard. Turns out it's too short for my tastes, so I'm yanking it out and putting the Z3 1.9 lever back in. I'll do this all at once as these are both easy jobs.
Cost: $105 (steering linkage u-joint)
