How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[nottoocleanbmw]

Great write-up.

Wish there was more info for the swap on air-bagged cars, though.

To those who have done the rack swap, would you guys say it is worth the time and money?

[Sean]

Great write-up.

Wish there was more info for the swap on air-bagged cars, though.

To those who have done the rack swap, would you guys say it is worth the time and money?

Haven't driven with it, but I already know my answer is yes. lol

Course...my engine is out, so...it'd be stupid not to. :P

[1991 318is]

Air bag cars.

Great write-up.

Wish there was more info for the swap on air-bagged cars, though.

To those who have done the rack swap, would you guys say it is worth the time and money?

Air bag cars are even less trouble. Search the forums for the firewall mod. It bolts in using the coupler on the car. No modification necessary.
It's an improvement in steering response and the lowest cost if you need a rack. WOW an E30 mod that costs less than replacing the OEM part.

[HST]

To those who have done the rack swap, would you guys say it is worth the time and money?

I drove Ritalin Kid's car before and after, and I think it is worth it. It turns better, and if you have a leaky rack anyway, why not???

[Kilomph]

Thanks for the write-up man.

[Brew]

Do you need any e36 power steering lines if you put the rack in an airbag car? Just got my '95 M3 rack plus all new tie rods, control arms, bushings, and I'm finally installing my GC/Koni setup in the 318is. Should be a big improvement.

[RobertK]

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.

[e304me]

I really think no power steering is the way to go. at least try it out first

[Sean]

Haha, I was thinking the same thing. (that the E30 line woulda been easier to modify). I did quite a bit of bending to the E36 line. But, I got it working.

But, since my P/S pump blew, I'm running without powersteering. I'm actually really beginning to enjoy it! It's a bitch at a stop, but when moving, I love having to actually GIVE the car input - it's great!

Love the rack. I don't think it's the 2.7 like I had hoped though. What's your guys turns lock to lock at the steering wheel? I turned my rack alone, and it was pretty much 2.7 - but now it's more like 3.

Still good though! :D

[RobertK]

I believe there is a manual rack you can swap into the E30 that was available in Europe in the 323i. If you dig around realoem.com enough I'm sure you could dig up the part # and have BMA Parts order one for you.

[e304me]

yeah you can do that if you want a longer steering ratio

[RobertK]

BTW.. what is the manual rack steering ratio?

[e304me]

more then the stock rack..like 4.5 turns

[ldsbeaker]

So, in retrospect, you would have bought the E30 HP line?
Also, I don't need to replace the ends of the low pressure lines, do I? Just buy some new hose, right?

[RobertK]

So, in retrospect, you would have bought the E30 HP line?
Also, I don't need to replace the ends of the low pressure lines, do I? Just buy some new hose, right?

Yeah.. I would have probably used an E30 HP line and you do not have to replace the LP line ends. just clean them up and get some new hose.