How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[defaultName]

Last Friday I swapped in a Z3 steering rack.

Everything went pretty smoothly and there looked to be barely any binding in the steering knuckle.

The problem's started happening when I drove it. I didn't really have an issue with binding so much as the car pulling violently left and right. It fells as if someone is jerking on the steering wheel. I would turn the steering wheel very slightly and then it would continue to turn on its own until it locks

I put the car back in the garage and tried to grind down the steering knuckle but it didn't feel or look like it was binding very much so I wasn't sure how much to really remove. I drove the car again and it didn't feel much better at all.

I'm really not sure what could be causing this. Would a binding steering knuckle cause the car to pull from side to side, because I thought it would make it harder to turn?

I even tried to check if my tie rods were touching my wheel but there seems to be enough room. Power steering has been deleted as well.

Any ideas?

(pic of the car just because)

[jrobie79]

I just scooped a 1.9L z3 rack for $120 with only 88K on the car it came from...CANT wait to put this in my car

[irish44j]

got my e36 rack all installed (after much cursing) with the spacers, etc.

Now my steering feels heavy and doesn't return well to center.

The e36 rack has TWO big bolts on the bottom:

One is a 22mm flat head, which apparently adjusts lash. It was tight when I got the rack, and once loosened at all it gets REAL loose (like, turn-by-hand loose).

Also there is a 2nd bolt, about 45* around the rack directly above it. It's a smaller (17mm) nut with a circle around it and little tick marks. This bolt is not present on an e30 rack. Any ideas as to what it is for? Centering position perhaps?

Anyhow, the car is driveable, and the steering quicker, but it definitely feels heavy and doesn't return well to center....

suggestions?

[davem]

I had the same problem when I did mine. I ended up drilling the smaller side out to fit the bigger side just to avoid problems. I don't know why this problem exists but it's a small one that can be moved around.

ya i never came across any need for drilling in any diys i read so i was a little confused...

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

Mine was like this. I adjusted the steering lash (big bolt i think 22mm? on the bottom of the rack) and it acts like normal now. Just a very slight adjustment was needed.

What is this adjustment you speak of? I had that slow return problem until I got an alignment but for some reason now I have an incredible amount of bump steer especially in high speed turns. How does this adjustment operate and what direction did you spin?

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

So i have a spare steering knuckle that i had a friend grind off the rivets for me. I ordered the e30tech spacer and hardware set and the bolts don't slip through one side of the steering knuckle. It's like the holes in one end are smaller...but i see no mention of drill/elongating the holes???

I had the same problem when I did mine. I ended up drilling the smaller side out to fit the bigger side just to avoid problems. I don't know why this problem exists but it's a small one that can be moved around.

[Aahj]

They fit, just have to play with them like puzzle pieces. Need to be arranged in a certain order to fit together. Don't remember how I did it off the top of my head though, sorry. But it can be done!

[davem]

So i have a spare steering knuckle that i had a friend grind off the rivets for me. I ordered the e30tech spacer and hardware set and the bolts don't slip through one side of the steering knuckle. It's like the holes in one end are smaller...but i see no mention of drill/elongating the holes???

[cobraken]

You're probably better off getting new ones. They're cheap insurance.

Or you can try Locktight!

[drumad]

You're probably better off getting new ones. They're cheap insurance.

[irish44j]

can the lockplate for the inner tierod ends be re-used once removed, or do they have to be replaced with new ones? Going to tackle this sooner or later. The e36 rack sitting on my workbench is calling to me......

[mbc325]

I'd recommend buying a new reservoir just because theres a nonreplacable filter inside of them. No use running a dirty filter on a new rack.

I tried using a e36 high pressure line but honestly it was harder to fit than the e30 one with a slight bend.

[mbc325]

Just had this done, what a difference! I did a new steering yoke, refurbished e36 rack, new steering pump, all new lines, and a new reservoir. It takes a tiny bit of driver input to get the steering wheel to center after a light turn, nothing crazy. Is this normal?

Mine was like this. I adjusted the steering lash (big bolt i think 22mm? on the bottom of the rack) and it acts like normal now. Just a very slight adjustment was needed.

[cobraken]

i couldnt use the same oem hi pressure line, i had to get a custom line done.

[bmwcalvin]

what i want to know is do i REALLY have to replace the High pressure lines and the resevoir? or can i get by with what the little monster came with?

You can keep the lines you have, but you'll have to bend them a little to make it bolt flush on to the rack. As long as nothing was leaking before you should be fine. I ended up buying a new reservoir since mine was leaking...