e36 rack plus airbag?

[bobross]

I have recently been looking into a new steering rack and have been advised that i can not use an e36 rack due to my car being equiped with an airbag.

Is this true? what can i do inorder to get that 2.7turn z3 rack that i yearn for into my car?

[nickmp0wer]

i think its a myth. Someone should chime in on this. I am going to be relacing my colum with a non airbag one when i get a z3 rack anyways so a i can have a different steering wheel without bumping against the turnsignals and shit all the time.

[Jordan]

Everything posted on the boards indicates that the airbag steering column just wont work with a e36 rack.

I had to put a e36 rack in a customers car the other day. Sadly my boss doesn't appreciate hearing something is impossible. I was left with the option of making it work :)

I used the steering linkage from a 84 318i, removed the rubber donut, and bolted it together. I then shorted the steering column sticking out past the firewall by about 6inches, and cut off the 1.5in stub on the end.

2hrs later the impossible was done and functional. UJoint angles are very favorable with this linkage as well, no grinding on them needed.

[bobross]

Bump for more info...

Jordan. The car you put that in was equiped with an airbag colum? maybe its actually the linkage on the airbag car thats the problem...?

[JeffRR]

I did the swap earlier this year on my 90'is. You have to swap the column with a non-airbag column.

I used a 88 column and a 95 M3 rack.


Jeff

[Jordan]

You have to swap the column with a non-airbag column.

Bulshit. I just did the swap with a airbag car/column. Its not that big of a deal.

Spin the big nut at the interior firewall, push the column all the way in on the engine side until only the spline sticks out, then cut off the twig on the end.

Use a m10 318i ujoint/linkage without the donut to mate them up.




Its finished now, but the linkage pic isnt online yet. I'll post that tomorrow.

Pic: