How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[HST]

Your 98 M3 rack will work. I doubt you will REALLY notice the 3.0 L-L as opposed the 3.25 L-L with the 98 rack.

You may use both inner and outer tie-rods with the rack. I'm not sure if you can mix and match though.

I know that E30 outers will fit on E36 inners. I'd assume it works in reverce.

[HST]

im looking to do this swap, how long does it take if you do it on the floor n how long in a shop

With a friend, and the knuckle already bulit, 2 hours from jacking up the car, to driving to the alignment shop.

[herlsy]

Any suggestions on where to buy return hoses like the ones the OP used? Tried my local chain stores, they weren't very helpful. Cheers.

[ian e30 318is]

z3 rack>all. just put mine in. bought it for 150 and lathed some aluminum spacers. After some parts from the dealer, price came out to under 200! best modification I have done to my e30 yet. Steering is super tight and quick!

[mightywhitey]

my car is in m52 swap mode. no engine in so I figured a good time to do the swap. I got the old one out and new one in and lined up in about 20 minutes now here are my questions.

Do I have to remove the cooling tubes if I am going to have a m52 motor?

If I have a air bag car which I do 91 325 can i just cut the splined piece attached to the knuckle or is spacing still the best option?

[ian e30 318is]

If I have a air bag car which I do 91 325 can i just cut the splined piece attached to the knuckle or is spacing still the best option?

I have an airbag e30 and all i did was machine the spacers for the two mounting bolts that attach the steering rack to the chassis. I also moved the steering rack from the back two holes to the front two on the tabs that were bent to take out the old rack. I didn't have to modify the splined piece at all. I don't know about your other question seeing as I still have my m42 :( haha

[cobraken]

z3 rack>all. just put mine in. bought it for 150 and lathed some aluminum spacers. After some parts from the dealer, price came out to under 200! best modification I have done to my e30 yet. Steering is super tight and quick!

Which Tie rod set up did you use?

[ian e30 318is]

Which Tie rod set up did you use?

I bought brand new e30 toe rods for my old rack so I just reused those. I did have to buy new flat lock washers though instead of the washers with the notch in the center for the e30 rack. Im not sure but I think the e36 and e30 tie rods are interchangeable.

[Todd Black 88]

I bought brand new e30 toe rods for my old rack so I just reused those. I did have to buy new flat lock washers though instead of the washers with the notch in the center for the e30 rack. Im not sure but I think the e36 and e30 tie rods are interchangeable.

This is the question I was hoping to find in here. The real oem shows no locking plates for the 1.9l z3 rack, and the e30 has the notched ones for the tie rods.
Do you have a specific part number for what lock plates to use for z3 rack with e30 tierods?

[ian e30 318is]

This is the question I was hoping to find in here. The real oem shows no locking plates for the 1.9l z3 rack, and the e30 has the notched ones for the tie rods.
Do you have a specific part number for what lock plates to use for z3 rack with e30 tierods?

I had the same problem finding them. I went to the dealership and they didnt have any for the z3 rack so I pounded down the notch on my e30 ones and used them. haha it works just fine.

[Todd Black 88]

Hmm, any other options out there, or is it better to go with the z3's tie rods?
Will the z3 tie rods work?

[BraveUlysses]

Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu this is a complete PITA on an airbag car.

I've opened up the firewall plenty (not rubbing or binding due to firewall), but still can't get the knuckle to line up with each of the slots on the splines. They're off by at least a 1/4" each, any suggestions?

[ian e30 318is]

Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu this is a complete PITA on an airbag car.

I've opened up the firewall plenty (not rubbing or binding due to firewall), but still can't get the knuckle to line up with each of the slots on the splines. They're off by at least a 1/4" each, any suggestions?

Is your avatar mf doom? alright so what exactly is your problem? do you have a picture? you definitely need some force and wd40 to get the splined part to go into the column

[dnova89]

damn i'm having a hard time getting my hands on a rack. Maval is dead out of stock on both the z3 and e36 racks. anyone know another good source?

[ian e30 318is]

damn i'm having a hard time getting my hands on a rack. Maval is dead out of stock on both the z3 and e36 racks. anyone know another good source?

ummmm...how bout the junkyard ;) but seriously