How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[jalopi]

the rack ratio. in terms of fastest racks we can swap into our cars, it's the second fastest. Only marginally slower than the z3 rack, but it's a progressive rate aka driving on a bumpy / pot-holey road isn't a nightmare.

For a car that only gets track use I would use the z3 rack. For normal people that drive their cars on the street, get a progressive rack.

[jeffnhiscars]

whats the difference between the e36 and e46 racks ?

[MC Hammered]

After spending a couple of days reading up on steering rack options, then speaking do DS Rook about his z3 rack upgrade he did in his vert, I have ordered an e46 ZHP rack with e30 tie rods from rackdoctor.net for my vert.

Can't wait for this setup to arrive and looking forward to comparing it against the z3m rack in the touring.

[Golfer_705]

Rack identification

Awsome write up! My parts for 84 coupe just showed up. I ordered a Z3 2.7 L2L rack. I got the rod ends on and went to center the wheel and realized the rack 3.2 lock to lock. Could someone please help me identify what this rack really is. The part #'s on it are 7852 995 306, 1096240, 003208 and 0198. I called the supplier back they tell me it is an e36 Z3 M rack. I don't believe this is right. Can anyone confirm or dispute what i was told? I ended up getting a used e36 rack to put in the car in the mean time. The used rack has the same part numbers on it as first one so any help identifying it would be great!

Used rack is in the car now, only modification needed to fit was 2 BMW spacers 72111847480 turned in a lathe to 9/16" tall as upper rack mount spacers. My steering knuckle needed no modifications to fit. Factory e30 high & low pressure lines fit perfectly. Whatever the rack is its a big improvement from stock.

What steering rack is Part # 7852 995 306

[Madhatter]

purple tag, "067" last 3 digits in the part number.

[jalopi]

IMO go with the e46 fast rack. Not sure which one it is, after a certain production date all of them are the quick kind. Marginally slower than a z3 rack, not super twitchy going straight down the road. At least for me anyway, I couldn't stand my z3 rack.

[BMW B3 2.5]

Anyone installed a 95-97 E36 Z3 1.9L 2.7 Turns steering rack on a DD e30 ?? Or is there a better one for a DD car ?

[JinormusJ]

Do you have any pictures of the difference in the angle?

Unfortunately, no. It never occurred to me to document it. Sorry

[itskingsteelo]

Do you have any pictures of the difference in the angle?

[JinormusJ]

Yea you just need to bend things a tad

I was able to get mine in on my z3 031 rack without bending. It just depends on how you route the lines.

Easiest way, however, is to bend the high pressure line a little to make the angle larger (should be the longer one) and have it tweaked a little. I done two rack installs since then with e36 racks on a buddies car.

You'll know what I mean once you're in there

[FLG]

Yea you just need to bend things a tad

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[E30steez]

So if ur old hoses are in good shape can u use them with the new e36 steering rack?

[E30steez]

If ur old hoses are in good shape will they work with the new e36 steering rack?

[FLG]

Give Levent at guten a call, he usually has rebuilt in Stock.

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[RGCintha29073]

Where is everybody ordering their rack from these days? Looking to swap out my leaky e30 rack right about now!