Z4 non powered steering rack fits e30

[russ in va]

We used E36 tie rods on my car. The e30 ones don't fit the rack and the Z4 ones don't fit the car as I understand it.

[Bearmw]

Rus do you have a better pic of the work your mechanic did?

[russ in va]

No unfortunately I did not get any progress pics and once installed it's hard to see (obscured by everything else in the engine compartment). You can see the part he shortened here though: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=32&fg=30

I think he cut away 3/4 of the sliding adjustment area.

[Wanganstyle]

Z4 non powered steering rack fits e30

No unfortunately I did not get any progress pics and once installed it's hard to see (obscured by everything else in the engine compartment). You can see the part he shortened here though: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=32&fg=30

I think he cut away 3/4 of the sliding adjustment area.

E36 tie rods are the ones used. Z4 tie rods are too large to fit e30 hubs.

Yes; the sliding piece has some very interesting parts inside that we choose to omit- full race car


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There are 4 -5 ball bearings on each side held in place by a plastic retaining clip; the shaft is designed to slide telescopically on these ball bearings.

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We choose to weld it solid as there are voids and the BMW engineered design of the steering shaft is compromised when cut down drastically in length. Our team has a professional materials engineer on board as well; so we don't tread lightly on anything safety system related.

We had our machine shop weld steel rods into the ball bearing channel to fill the void and weld it all together. I did not feel that plastic retainers holding a bunch of balls are going to survive our race abuse; banging back and forth every single time you turn; I always turn in while braking as well so many more forces adding up.......caged car and body by Tc design......stiff and solid bushings/billet engine mounts.........basically NVH up the wazoo.
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I did not take any pictures or post details on purpose as this is a critical safety piece and I cannot be responsible for another's safety due to modifications.

We use this in a wheel to wheel endurance race car and your life is in danger every time you strap into that car and roll on track.

I'm not suggesting anyone improperly modify a steering part and take it on the street.
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The most ideal solution would be to contact tiny tim and order a custom new piece made from flaming river u joints.


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[totheredline]

I want to revive this thread.

So. Z3 rack vs Z4 rack

-BOTH are linear?
-Z3 less tuns to lock but Z4 has more travel?

Which is the faster rack? If you were to turn both racks one revolution, which would have traveled the farthest?

[Wanganstyle]

I believe these questions have all already been answered in this thread.

If not the bmw factory data published is avail online.

For bmw's:

Newer chassis= higher rack ratio number and more total angle.

If you have the budget and ability to fit a z4 rack; I don't see why a older z3 unit would be an option.


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[russ in va]

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The most ideal solution would be to contact tiny tim and order a custom new piece made from flaming river u joints.

Tapatalk

So how do I find Tiny Tim? Tried searching, no joy.

[cunninglinguist]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

[FLG]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

Oh man you make me laugh so hard I about shit myself.

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[russ in va]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

I don't own a ukulele.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PLWqnfFgU

[totheredline]

I want to revive this thread.

So. Z3 rack vs Z4 rack

-BOTH are linear?
-Z3 less tuns to lock but Z4 has more travel?

Which is the faster rack? If you were to turn both racks one revolution, which would have traveled the farthest?

Well I found one on ebay for $150 so it looks like that will be the route Im going.

[Northern]

So how do I find Tiny Tim? Tried searching, no joy.

http://www.thearcasylum.com/

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=261286

[raudonis]

Does sliding e85 non M Z4 coupler look like that?

And one of these 2 grooves in the shaft filled with these ballbearings is sort of visible?

[Wanganstyle]

Does sliding e85 non M Z4 coupler look like that?

And one of these 2 grooves in the shaft filled with these ballbearings is sort of visible?

Looks just like e46 shaft; z4 is a e46 pretty much

There are about 5 ball bearings? I forgot ours has 0.

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[mike156]

Thanks for the information on this. I picked up a Z4 manual rack and thought I would contribute a few measurements I took from it.

Travel: 144.6mm
L2L: 3.0 turns
Rack ratio: 48.2mm/revolution
Steering ratio: 14.5:1 (e36 uprights)

18.9mm shaft, 48 spline (could be one or two off here as it was a quick check and hard to keep count). Seems like it's probably 3/4"-48.