How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[Todd Black 88]

Anyone using e46 racks now?

[Dirtboy]

I did the same setup than chrisnxl185.

You think I can do the same with my steering knuckle?




How much does the steering knuckle have to be shortened?

[cormier]

Anyone using e46 racks now?

Yep! Easy peasy

[flying_violin]

Dang. Did this last weekend, and this would have been really helpful to see BEFORE I did the swap! Next time I'll use a screwdriver to open up the splines on the universal joint before trying to fit it on the rack. I just ended up hammering on it for an hour or so and it finally worked its way on. Got the old rack out by supporting the engine from above, and lowering the subframe out a bit.

[R3Z3N]

The E46 rack to get is the 330 zhp rack. 13.7:1 ratio, 2.6 turns lock to lock, HOWEVER I have been unable to find if it is linear or progressive.

[lylefk]

How is this job (difficulty and time) if you're doing a straight swap for the e30 rebuilt from Maval, here: blunttech

Thanks!

[DetailAddict]

would this be the one?

http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2002-2005-BMW-330i-330ci-ZHP-UNIT-Rack-And-Pinion-19495-25892-712ZHP.htm

The E46 rack to get is the 330 zhp rack. 13.7:1 ratio, 2.6 turns lock to lock, HOWEVER I have been unable to find if it is linear or progressive.

[R3Z3N]

^^^Should be. Call them, they are VERY knowledgeable, especially with BMW rack swaps, and as they state, they want you to call anyway as you will not be giving them the correct core.

Here's some great info from the owner of Rack Doctor

I just installed a Z3 rack (13.9:1 ratio, 2.7 lock to lock, linear) and while I feel it is a great upgrade, I think the torsion bar is quite different also compared to the standard E36 rack that I had in my E30. It is quite a bit stiffer, giving more road feel, but would IMO be tiring if doing endurace, or even sprint racing. Take what I have as coming from an "internet armchair engineer." I found this stuff on the interwebs, but can not as a matter of fact with my own measured specs say this is absolute truth here, because I myself have not disassembled the racks to confirm this info.


Here's more info on PS in general, and some great info on the torsion bars in power steering.

I know some others from even newer BMWs will swap in as well...but I don't remember what I have read about that. For example IIRC, the Z4MC rack is 12.x:1 ratio...but as many have said, Lock to lock and ratio don't tell the whole story of how it feels, because you are changing the mechanical advantage, maybe the rack is progressive, and the torsion bars may be different.

[mtlbloodshot]

Anyone know the torque spec for the M10X50 bolts that pass through the rack for the crossmember?

[iwantspeed]

few questions:
the car in questions is a 1989 325I no airbag standard m20b25 motor
planning on installing a regular e36 96-99 steering rack.
I have started to modified a spare knuckle with extra clearance on the knuckle closest to the firewall, and I have drilled out the rivets and added a Ireland engineering poly guibo steering knuckle bushing.
currently trying to decide on what bolts and spacers to get to attach the lower part.


1)
My car is lowered on coilovers and i would like to know if its possible to place the steering rack spacers on the bottom
of the rack to assist in having less bump steer.
Is there enough room underneath the m20 oil pan to accomplish this?

2)
Should i place the rack on the inner holes or the outer holes on the subframe
3)
For an autocross/track/daily driver car what toe adjustments should i request at the alignment shop
4)
Is the stock e30 rack linear or progressive?

[R3Z3N]

1) Take a look here as this is the only info I have on bump steer with the racks and draw your own conclusion or have your performance alignment shop check and adjust your bump steer with rack height.

2) Rack will be placed closest to subframe.

3) I have a nice compromise between street/track setup which is -2.5º camber all around, 10º of caster, .07º front toe out, and .13º toe in on the rear. I don't find it darty at all on the road, cross balance is 50%. I feel I could use a little more front toe out, and a touch more camber up front, but it's stable and rotates nicely on and off throttle, stable under braking.

4) Stock rack is linear

[MattBimmer]

Anyone know the torque spec for the M10X50 bolts that pass through the rack for the crossmember?

Gudentight

Nah jk tight but if using plastic spacers not so tight they crack.
Also taking the entire knuckle off isn't required for airbag cars but it definitely helps and BUY ANTI SEIZE!!!! It helps to slide the knuckle on while having the screwdriver wedged in the crack.

[bastianshaw]

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.

Ihave to disagree here get the e36 line

[bastianshaw]

here's a pic that a fellow r3ver (nickname: Goose) took that demonstrates how to route a stock e30 HP line with a z3 rack - no bending of the fittings required, just flipped:

ummm NO I dont see how "flipping the line" will work and I just got out from under my car the line needs to be bent or it will hit the knuckle as you turn the wheel

[Varinn]

ummm NO I dont see how "flipping the line" will work and I just got out from under my car the line needs to be bent or it will hit the knuckle as you turn the wheel

Goose daily drives his car with that setup, so I'm sure it works. And I just did the 180* flip tonight on my own e36 rack swap and it works fine