How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[bellerto]

OEM or bust, mate. Return it and go buy an e46 "purple" rack off RackDoctor.
GL

Yup. Lesson learned the hard way. Looking for a genuine BMW rack now for sure. Im a bit skeptical on rackdoctor though. How can the prices be so low compared to other reputable sites?

[Zambuzan]

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

OEM or bust, mate. Return it and go buy an e46 "purple" rack off RackDoctor.
GL

[bellerto]

Rack hard lines in the way

So I go through all the steps, modified steering knuckle, and get all excited about mounting the new E36 rack into place. Only to find out it wont fit because the hard lines on the rack are hitting the sub frame :o



I figure I would cut the lines shorter so that they are closer to the rack and get enough clearance. But I see this weird flare that doesnt seem to be either bubble or double, so I can't just rent a tool to get it done.



This is very frustrating to say the least and Im unable to finish the job. This rack appears to be generic as it has no plates or part numbers. Got it from buyautoparts.com as "Power Steering - E36 Chassis [New Body Style] Power Steering Rack 1993 BMW 325i"

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

[e304lyfe]

For future reference, I ended up just buying the custom piece from Zionsville auto.

Also for future reference.... As you found out, the manual steering rack linkage is entirely different. To remedy this you would need to purchase a standard early model power steering linkage and shorten it for an e36 rack install. I assume this is the part that zionsville sold you.

[LicensedToM]

You could say that again...oh and the link no worky worky

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Power-Steering-Rack-Pinion-for-BMW-318-323-325-328-M3-E36-3-Series-Z3/352267086139?hash=item5204c1293b:g:ausAAOSwOYFabnqZ

How's this?

[redearedslider5]

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

For future reference, I ended up just buying the custom piece from Zionsville auto.

[TeXJ]

You could say that again...oh and the link no worky worky

[LicensedToM]

Hey guys, I have a '91 318 (airbagged) and the rack just went out, so I'm of course looking at the e36 conversion. Any feedback on this on eBay? I'm weary of the quality, but wanted to see if anyone has had experience with these. I'm sorry if this has already been reviewed on r3v.

Thanks!

[ScottSneed]

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

Try swapping the steering column? May be less of a headache than trying to get your current one to fit

[redearedslider5]

Euro knuckles are plug and play with the rack swap. Just space out the subframe.

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

[piwko98]

Should be buttery smooth without the rods being connected to the wheels.
The knuckle is likely binding a bit at the joints. Try turning the rack with the knuckle and see where its catching.
It is also possible that it is getting caught on the power steering line depending on how you bent them.

Back in business. It ever so slightly rubbing on the knuckle.
Got the alignment done and everything seems to be in place.

Thanks for all of the help!

[piwko98]

Thanks, I'll take another look to see if I can tell where it's rubbing. I had a hell of a time getting it onto the rack.

I kept the plastic piece (in the holes) when adding the spacer as it seemed to keep the bolt nicely in the place. Wondering if that needs to be removed to give it a little bit more play.

[Mook613]

Getting closer here with the swap. Got the spacers into the steering knuckle and everything back into place. I had a hard time getting the knuckle onto the e36 rack - took a lot of moving around to get it on there. I got the bolt through up top and bottom of the knuckle eventually. I was filling the reservoir with fluid I noticed that turning left/right there is almost a little bump that I go over. It doesn't seem bad but I am wondering if the knuckle itself doesn't have too much pressure on it. Should it be really smooth turning the wheel without the outer tie rod?

Should be buttery smooth without the rods being connected to the wheels.
The knuckle is likely binding a bit at the joints. Try turning the rack with the knuckle and see where its catching.
It is also possible that it is getting caught on the power steering line depending on how you bent them.

[piwko98]

Getting closer here with the swap. Got the spacers into the steering knuckle and everything back into place. I had a hard time getting the knuckle onto the e36 rack - took a lot of moving around to get it on there. I got the bolt through up top and bottom of the knuckle eventually. I was filling the reservoir with fluid I noticed that turning left/right there is almost a little bump that I go over. It doesn't seem bad but I am wondering if the knuckle itself doesn't have too much pressure on it. Should it be really smooth turning the wheel without the outer tie rod?

[redearedslider5]

i'm doing my conversion on an s50 swap that currently has a manual rack. i have to add the PS pump/res/lines as well. the parts i'm sourcing are from rock auto and i currently have in my cart the rack, pump, pump to rack hose, and res to pump hose. my understanding is that i also need a return hose but they all have the coil that we apparently can't use? what replacement part would i use? is there anything else i'm missing? thank you!