Feeler: Pre-Modified Steering Joints for E36 Rack Swap

[der affe]

No. That is an issue related to the air bag steering columns in the 90 and 91 E30s. If I could get someone local that wanted to try this swap let me help them out I could use their car to fab up a plate for resale as well.

have a 91 (not local:( ) but would be down for that too!
greg

[RobertK]

have a 91 (not local:( ) but would be down for that too!
greg

I have one local friend with a 91 318is who "might" let me experiment on his car but he's a cheap ass who would probably be reluctant to replace his rack unless it required replacing.

I'll try posting in the TN forum on bf.c to see if I can find someone willing to be a guinea pig for the air bag plate.

I have a machine shop buddy working on creating steel jig and a couple aluminum mock up plates for those interested in a steering joint "fuh raze"

Going to call BMA and talk to Patrick to see how much new rubber flex disks are going to cost me in small bulk.

[e30 gangsta]

IM down keep us updated please.

[RobertK]

Just got off the phone with Patrick @ BMA. Cost for each new rubber replacement disc is around $19.00 w/ shipping included. I can get a discount of $14.50 plus shipping if I order more than 5 at a time.

I only have one core at this point so the first few that I make I will probably only be able to ship out as I receive each core. I'm going to work with the local bone yard to pick up a few extras so I can have more than 1 in stock.

Price will be around $100 shipped + $50 core charge for joints with rubber replacement discs. As soon as I receive the core I will refund the core charge. Probably best to use Paypal to make the refund process much easier.

I am still waiting on a quote for the aluminum disc replacement cost.

I will try rebuild at least one this weekend to sell dependent on fast I can complete some urgent transmission work I have planned for Tara's car.

[Van Westervelt]

I call dibs on the first one! Tell me where to pay! :) Since I was the first to respond afterall.

[RobertK]

I call dibs on the first one! Tell me where to pay! :) Since I was the first to respond afterall.

LOL.. Damn.. I will PM you as soon as the first one is finished. I'm going to have to pick up a few new tools as my Dremel is dead. Plus, if I'm going to start making more of these I need something more heavy duty.

I will probably try to get Patrick to ship me 2 rubber discs but I think he mentioned that it would take a day or two before he would get them in to ship back out to me. SO this weekend I might at least get the old one taking apart and shortened.

[Intense]

I'm looking into picking-up a 91 318is from Cali. and driving it back home to Charlotte. Knoxville would sorta be on the way...would you be interested in doing (helping with) the swap on my drive back?

It would be until the beginning of May until I can go get the car. So, you have plenty of time to prep.

thanks

[RobertK]

Sure thing. As long as you can gather the parts together.

To save money on the HP hose we can reuse your old one or you can get a good used one from Joe @ Autobahn Sport (PM Funkmasta).

I will mod your steering knuckle for the cost of the rubber disc ($18-$19). If I can get some more cores I can have it ready before you get here. Early May would be perfect because it would be right before I start my Summer semester.

[NC325iC]

this is kinda OT
but how does the rubber disc help in collapsablility?
to me i would think the collapsing would happen at the two pin things on either side of the bushing, itd be alot clearer if i had a pic hold on a sec...

shbango (circled in blue) i would think thats where all the collapsing happens

thanks for the pic ritalinkid

[RobertK]

this is kinda OT
but how does the rubber disc help in collapsablility?
to me i would think the collapsing would happen at the two pin things on either side of the bushing, itd be alot clearer if i had a pic hold on a sec...

shbango (circled in blue) i would think thats where all the collapsing happens

thanks for the pic ritalinkid

If you take one out and push on it you will see that it is created to purposely flex toward those pegs. Those pegs are kind of riveted on one side with a plastic circlip on the other. When it pushes forward into the rivet ends it's supposed to pop them forward collapsing the knuckle with enough force.

This is why a modified knucle will give in a wreck but not collapse. An aluminum one will not collapse at. IMHO if you hit the steering wheel hard enough to push those rivets through their plastic.. you either hit something head on at 50+ MPH or you were not wearing your seatbelt.

[RobertK]

No chance getting a steering knuckle out by the end of the weekend. I'm still finishing up a ZF tranny swap on my E36 and won't be done until tomorrow afternoon. I'll keep everyone posted.

[RobertK]

Should be getting started on getting one completed by the end of this week. I'll keep everyone posted.

[Jean]

Cool. I picked up a rack from a 92 325i and plan on doing this in the near future.

[Intense]

Sure thing. As long as you can gather the parts together.

To save money on the HP hose we can reuse your old one or you can get a good used one from Joe @ Autobahn Sport (PM Funkmasta).

I will mod your steering knuckle for the cost of the rubber disc ($18-$19). If I can get some more cores I can have it ready before you get here. Early May would be perfect because it would be right before I start my Summer semester.

Sweet, I missed the 318 in Cali, but I'm working on another one on the West Coast. Still the same timeframe, though.

What other parts would I need to gather besides the PS hose?

[RobertK]

You can find all list of all the parts you need in the E36 steering rack conversion thread in the DIY/FAQ forums.

I recently found that E30s with air bags not require the firewall plate to be modified for an E36 rack to fit according to a member I've been chatting with on Bf.c. If that's true then there would be no need to fab a plate at all. Though I would still be more than willing to give you hand.

My brother bought a 95 M3 rack and this weekend we will be installing it so we may update the conversion thread or create video better explaining the process.