How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[Wanganstyle]

Has anyone installed the top knuckle to steering shaft, rack to subframe w/ bottom half of knuckle, and then installed spacers/bolts to connect the knuckle?
I am performing this mission solo and its been a pain in the arse trying to get the rack lined in the bottom and then into subframe..
The only issue I see is having to rotate the top portion of the knuckle in order to line the knuckle up, but then I can just remove the steering wheel and straighten it.

I did this with Z4 steering rack; installed the z4 u joint to the car side then brought the rack up to meet it.

[KVF]

I did this with Z4 steering rack; installed the z4 u joint to the car side then brought the rack up to meet it.

I think he's talking of installing the knuckle in halves to each of the shafts, then bolting the knuckle together... I suppose it could work, but I'd be very nervous about not being able to adequately torque the two halves together.

[mccor023]

I think he's talking of installing the knuckle in halves to each of the shafts, then bolting the knuckle together... I suppose it could work, but I'd be very nervous about not being able to adequately torque the two halves together.

Yes, I wa thinking of installing in halves. I removed my intake boot and have good access to them both. I was thinking this because I was worried I was not getting the knuckles firmly on the shafts.

[mccor023]

Can someone confirm knuckle spacers are still needed w/ late model non airbag an the Z3 rack? I installed the knuckle in halves, but now realizing why I couldn't install the whole thing together.

[Todd Black 88]

I needed the spacers for my z3 rack install to my 92 e30 non airbag cabby.

[mccor023]

I needed the spacers for my z3 rack install to my 92 e30 non airbag cabby.

When mounting you rack to subframe which holes did you use? The original in the back, or the ones towards the front of the car?
Thanks

[KVF]

Edit... You did align them correctly... How far up the steering shaft did you go? Did you space the rack upward or downward?

[mccor023]

I put the spacers on the top of the rack. I tapped the top half of knuckle as it would go, and basically the same for the bottom half.

I couldnt tap it down any further.

[mccor023]

I've now just used 2 spacers and bolted up the knuckle, I just don't understand why I had to do it this way.
Like most of my projects Im concerned I did something wrong and will have to do it all over again in a day or two.

[KVF]

It sure looks like you slide the lower knuckle too far onto the spline... There is a little groove that you should line up with the bolt hole. Did you push it on past the groove to the point of going past the splines on the shaft??

There is no such groove up top, but be sure you didn't slide up so far that the firewall and upper knuckle ever come in contact.

[Todd Black 88]

When mounting you rack to subframe which holes did you use? The original in the back, or the ones towards the front of the car?
Thanks

Original

[mccor023]

It sure looks like you slide the lower knuckle too far onto the spline... There is a little groove that you should line up with the bolt hole. Did you push it on past the groove to the point of going past the splines on the shaft??

There is no such groove up top, but be sure you didn't slide up so far that the firewall and upper knuckle ever come in contact.

What would be the negative to having the knuckle to far down on the rack spline?

[KVF]

What would be the negative to having the knuckle to far down on the rack spline?

So long as the spline isn't hitting the u-joint, nothing. Some people use that method to avoid having to space the knuckle. My only caution to you would be to leave the knuckle ends loose, until you fully torque the knuckle halves together.

[FLG]

The knuckle needs to be in the right spot for the bolts to be able to pass thru to tighten the half's in the splines.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[e30fromroyalston]

trying to get set up for a swap. Went to bma.com to try and find the spacers you got and it said they were unavailable. I guess i can just make something up but it would be cool to have them in hand especially at the price you got them for. I plan on using my e30 inner and outer tie rods on the e36 rack as they are in better shape. Great thread by the way!