How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[rares]

do we have to stick to the 95-77 z3 to the letter, or do other z3s work? thanks

also, the question todd black asked above me ^^

Thanks

[Heysüß]

do we have to stick to the 95-77 z3 to the letter, or do other z3s work? thanks

also, the question todd black asked above me ^^

Thanks

the other Z3 racks will NOT be 2.75 turns lock to lock it'll be like the regular e36 racks.

[rares]

cool thanks, any problems with the turn signals not shuting off because of the short rack?

[Simon S]

no

[bmwcalvin]

Anyone that has done the e46 rack: I got the e46 330i rack for pretty cheap it comes with the inner tie rods and I have e36 outer tie rods. Just wondering if this will be too long? Just trying to figure out if I will need to get the e36 inner tie rods or not?

[bmwcalvin]

Well I got the rack and tie rods today. The e36 outer tie rods fit right on the e46 inners.. I compared the lengths to my old e30 rack and they are exactly the same. So I am guessing it will work. I will find out on my next day off...

[bmwcalvin]

If anyone is wondering it works great!! Just need to get an alignment done..

[RobertK]

If anyone is wondering it works great!! Just need to get an alignment done..

I'm guessing all the regular modification accommodated it or did you have to do anything different?

Also, does anyone know the rate on the E46 racks?

[bmwcalvin]

I just did the spacers from e30tech and took a dremel to the firewall, with e36 outer tie rods on the e46 inners and it was good to go. I have an airbag e30..

[Todd Black 88]

Anyone know the e46 rack ratios?

[lbreevesii]

^ in for this too. I know where I can get an E46 M3 rack though..I know that can't be a bad pick :-p

[Todd Black 88]

Quick question if anyone knows. I just got another z3 rack, and this one came with new tierods on it. Will this work like that? Just keep everything together and drop it in?

This one should be interesting, as its a canadian spec m-tech II appearance car with a 4/92 build date, but never came with an airbag. Don't know what i will find on this late model car w/o airbag.

[drinaldis]

Quick question if anyone knows. I just got another z3 rack, and this one came with new tierods on it. Will this work like that? Just keep everything together and drop it in?

This one should be interesting, as its a canadian spec m-tech II appearance car with a 4/92 build date, but never came with an airbag. Don't know what i will find on this late model car w/o airbag.

Leave the inner tie rods in place and use e36 outer tie rods.

[Todd Black 88]

The inner and outer tie rods are new though. Can i not use the z3 ones because of length or ? Don't fit?

[drinaldis]

The inner and outer tie rods are new though. Can i not use the z3 ones because of length or ? Don't fit?

Oh, my bad. The rack came with inners AND outers? Huh, never seen that so i'm not sure.