Steering rack

Frederico Fonseca · Post by **Frederico Fonseca** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:31 am

Hi Jeroen,

First of all i would like to wish you all a great 2005!

I need you help regarding steering rack options. As last weekend I got some bad luck!
After installing 4 brand yellow Koni shock absorbers on Friday on my car, and Just as I was getting used to this excellent new set up.

I went out and hit huge piece of metall that was standing out on the sidewalk as I was parking the car. The result broke a piece of the steering rack (as where the oil nut stands) and it now doesen't have the same behevior when cornering from one side to the other!

What I need to know in case i have to change the whole rack which i probably will need to change what are the options??

Are they all the same for all E30's?
Is it the same as the M3??
Where can i find it in Europe, besides oficcial BMW centers?

Thanks and regards
Frederico

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:44 am

Hi Frederico,

That is bad luck mate!

There are several different types of E30 racks, better replace with the same type (I believe something with 555 in the ZF number).

Or even better: replace with E30 M3 or E36 rack as those are quick racks and they bolt right on (also see another topic here discussing the steering racks).

Just get a used one at a local wreckyard!

Rgds,
Jeroen

Frederico Fonseca · Post by **Frederico Fonseca** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:47 pm

Hi Jeroen,

I have found an E36 Steering rack refurbished, for a decent price 475€ because i don't have one for exchange part! (mine is wrecked!)

Do you know if this is a straight fit, regarding connections and hydralic tubes and rack pinion??

In this website :
http://e30m3performance.com/installs/in ... 3/e36rack/ in this page they also show a diferent rack housing; have you fitted one of these yourself??

As I could understand from their text i must buy an adaptor:
"There is a difference in the angle at which the pinion enters the two different rack housings. This difference causes greater angularity in the joints in the steering coupler when using the E36 M3 rack in an E30 chassis. The coupler joints hence require modification to prevent them from binding up. Zionsville provides a modified coupler as part of their E36 M3 rack conversion kit. "

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:39 am

Frederico,
You also saw this thread(?): http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65

I know a few guys using the E36 racks and all they did was swap the rack, works great. Maybe on the track or with track-settings for camer or caster for example it doesn't work, but I haven't heard of problems sticking to the E30 parts.

I fitted the E30 M3 rack myself.

That adaptor... looks beautiful but for the rest it just looks like a very complicated and expensive way to solve something that -at best- is a minor problem. Would look nice in my display case... not something to hide down there

Frederico Fonseca · Post by **Frederico Fonseca** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:02 pm

Hi Jeroen,

What would all we 329is owner's be without this magnific forum and you thecnical help!

I have already bought the E36 rack and hoppefully will install it this week-end. Will keep you posted on the improvement.

Thanks and regards
Frederico

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:55 pm

Thanks and good luck mate... just use some rings to fill up the space as mentioned in the other thread (E36 rack being a few mm thinner than the E30 example).

7800rpm · Post by **7800rpm** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:43 am

Federico, where are you from?

Last week i went to some wreckyard, here in Rome, looking for a quick steering rack for my is...

i've found a good e36 rack @ 150 €

On e-bay i've found a wrecked E30 M3 but i don't think the steering, steers anymore

ffonseca · Post by **ffonseca** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:27 pm

Hi Jeroen,

I have encountered a problem on assembling the new E36 steering rack. Because the location of the Power Steering Hose (Power Steering Pump to Steering Rack) section which has a diferent angle and i am no able to connect it again in the new rack. Do you know if i by a new hose for the E36 MODELL if that will solve the problem?

Or do you suggest any other solution?

Regards
Frederico

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:16 am

A friend told me that if you carefully bend the steel part for abt 1 cm it will fit? He's done so!

ffonseca · Post by **ffonseca** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:35 pm

Jeroen,

Sorry to be bothering you again with this, but the rack is already in place and all connected. But there is now a diference on the steering coupler which the one from the E30 is about 1-1,5 cm longer then the one for the E36.

Any known options for this one??

Regards
Frederico

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:08 pm

Hmmmm it's always difficult to talk about subjects you didn't work yourself on... did you fit the spacer rings on top? Heard about people taking the excess length off... ok I get to believe I was quite lucky to find the E30 M3 rack which was a straight swap!

ffonseca · Post by **ffonseca** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:14 pm

Hi all Just to tell you for anyone who needs advice on this I have sucessfully made the up-grade.

There is a magic part needed to achive this which is a "E21" rubber steering rack coupler, because is 1cm thinner then the one the E30 uses and that is just the clearence needed to assemble it!

Regards
Frederico

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:25 am

E21? Hmmmm what's that?

But which version.... with power steering I guess? And these are a but rare and probably NLA new...

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