How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[Klug]

Already removed the 13mm bolt from the end that clamps it down on the grooves

http://db.tt/cTRskzZg

[jeffnhiscars]

So i've searched this thread and google for quite a bit now. I cannot for the life of me remove the knuckle from the steering shaft. I have the split in the knuckle spread apart as much as possible and cannot seem to get it to drop. What techniques have you guys tried?

Also tried a slide hammer setup on the rack end but it only puts stress on the guibo.

You have to completely remove the bolt from the rack end as it locks in to a grove on the pinion shaft

[Klug]

So i've searched this thread and google for quite a bit now. I cannot for the life of me remove the knuckle from the steering shaft. I have the split in the knuckle spread apart as much as possible and cannot seem to get it to drop. What techniques have you guys tried?

Also tried a slide hammer setup on the rack end but it only puts stress on the guibo.

[jeffnhiscars]

I have all the parts and the adapter kit. Just need the steering shaft. I posted in the wtb last night and nothing as of yet. I figured out that BMW has redesigned the steering shaft, so a new one will not work

Have you checked the local bone yards ?

PS Ive asked a buddy of mine if he has one and will PM you if he does.

[Qik-BMW]

Ive done 2 swaps in the last 18 months (about to do a 3rd) on an 84, 87 & 89 (all non airbag) and thats the exact same knuckle on all of them. Go to a junk yard or post in the WTB section for a non airbag knuckle and you'll get one. The knuckle adaptor kit is about $25

You really do not want to know what a dealer is going to charge you for a new one.

I have all the parts and the adapter kit. Just need the steering shaft. I posted in the wtb last night and nothing as of yet. I figured out that BMW has redesigned the steering shaft, so a new one will not work

[jeffnhiscars]

Ive done 2 swaps in the last 18 months (about to do a 3rd) on an 84, 87 & 89 (all non airbag) and thats the exact same knuckle on all of them. Go to a junk yard or post in the WTB section for a non airbag knuckle and you'll get one. The knuckle adaptor kit is about $25

You really do not want to know what a dealer is going to charge you for a new one.

[Qik-BMW]

I did the same setup than chrisnxl185.

Someone please give me the part# to this steering shaft, or if anyone has a used one for sale. I need one ASAP.
Thanks

[Qik-BMW]

Please Help

Hey guys, I am trying to do this swap to my 1985 grey market 320i with Manuel steering non airbag. The problem I am having is finding a steering shaft that looks like the op's. I have had BMW fax me pictures and they find no steering shaft that looks like the ones on here that you install the spacers on which I think are non airbag shafts. BMW tells me that all e30 s 1985 and up have airbag. If anyone has one for sale or has a part #, or any other idea, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.

[jeffnhiscars]

FYI AKG has the e30>e36 rack adaptor kit on sale for $20@. I got 2 to my door for $45.75 shipped

[Varinn]

ummm NO I dont see how "flipping the line" will work and I just got out from under my car the line needs to be bent or it will hit the knuckle as you turn the wheel

Goose daily drives his car with that setup, so I'm sure it works. And I just did the 180* flip tonight on my own e36 rack swap and it works fine

[bastianshaw]

here's a pic that a fellow r3ver (nickname: Goose) took that demonstrates how to route a stock e30 HP line with a z3 rack - no bending of the fittings required, just flipped:

ummm NO I dont see how "flipping the line" will work and I just got out from under my car the line needs to be bent or it will hit the knuckle as you turn the wheel

[bastianshaw]

I would think that you will need the E36 high pressure line BUT I noticed when I was putting my rack in was that the old line was just as easy to have been adapted to the rack, maybe even easier.

I went with the E36 HP line because my E30 line was very old and I had already went through the trouble to purchase E36 HP line.

Ihave to disagree here get the e36 line

[MattBimmer]

Anyone know the torque spec for the M10X50 bolts that pass through the rack for the crossmember?

Gudentight

Nah jk tight but if using plastic spacers not so tight they crack.
Also taking the entire knuckle off isn't required for airbag cars but it definitely helps and BUY ANTI SEIZE!!!! It helps to slide the knuckle on while having the screwdriver wedged in the crack.

[R3Z3N]

1) Take a look here as this is the only info I have on bump steer with the racks and draw your own conclusion or have your performance alignment shop check and adjust your bump steer with rack height.

2) Rack will be placed closest to subframe.

3) I have a nice compromise between street/track setup which is -2.5º camber all around, 10º of caster, .07º front toe out, and .13º toe in on the rear. I don't find it darty at all on the road, cross balance is 50%. I feel I could use a little more front toe out, and a touch more camber up front, but it's stable and rotates nicely on and off throttle, stable under braking.

4) Stock rack is linear

[iwantspeed]

few questions:
the car in questions is a 1989 325I no airbag standard m20b25 motor
planning on installing a regular e36 96-99 steering rack.
I have started to modified a spare knuckle with extra clearance on the knuckle closest to the firewall, and I have drilled out the rivets and added a Ireland engineering poly guibo steering knuckle bushing.
currently trying to decide on what bolts and spacers to get to attach the lower part.


1)
My car is lowered on coilovers and i would like to know if its possible to place the steering rack spacers on the bottom
of the rack to assist in having less bump steer.
Is there enough room underneath the m20 oil pan to accomplish this?

2)
Should i place the rack on the inner holes or the outer holes on the subframe
3)
For an autocross/track/daily driver car what toe adjustments should i request at the alignment shop
4)
Is the stock e30 rack linear or progressive?