How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[Powling]

Thats what i meant my bad. Just space the steering rack in the subframe

Correct - but what I'm wondering is if the spacer goes above the rack or below the rack. The attached diagrams show both options.

I just haven't found a definitive answer to which option is better, and if the bump steer is really an issue.

BELOW
I've read that by putting the spacers below the rack, it raises it enough that you don't have to cut the firewall, but it gives nasty bump steer




ABOVE
Apparently putting them above means you have to cut the fire wall, but you get far less bump steer.

[Haystack]

Subframe spaced? Thats the first I've heard of that, I thought it was only the steering rack that needed spacing?

Steering rack spacers on the subframe. That's what he meant.


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[ThatOneEuroE30]

Subframe spaced? Thats the first I've heard of that, I thought it was only the steering rack that needed spacing?

Thats what i meant my bad. Just space the steering rack in the subframe

[Powling]

Air bag cars just need the subframe spaced iirc

Subframe spaced? Thats the first I've heard of that, I thought it was only the steering rack that needed spacing?

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Anyone? Hoping to get the rack finished up and installed tonight.

Air bag cars just need the subframe spaced iirc

[Powling]

I've been searching but haven't found the definitive answer yet...but with airbag cars, spacers on the bottom of the rack mean I don't have to modify the firewall correct?

Anyone? Hoping to get the rack finished up and installed tonight.

[Powling]

I've been searching but haven't found the definitive answer yet...but with airbag cars, spacers on the bottom of the rack mean I don't have to modify the firewall correct?

[Haystack]

How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap



Another pic of the line.

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[Haystack]

I'm currently in the middle of this. Got the rack a while ago, this line, do I need to crimp both ends of it? The one side popped off quite easily. Also, how should it be ran? Will it hug the subframe or should I worry about pinching it?




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[phenryiv1]

A 98 E36 318i rack should work fine too, yes?

Yes. Any E36 racks will work.

[Voxmagna]

A 98 E36 318i rack should work fine too, yes?

[z28]

Just to clarify - I have a steering rack from a 97 M3 and swapping it into my 91 318is with airbag. I am however replacing the airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel with no airbag...is there anything I need to be aware of or look out for?

Its not that hard, all I had to do was use some washers between column and hub, and hub and 22mm nut. I go a little over what I did on post #24 in my build thread, you can see the link in my signature.

[Powling]

Just to clarify - I have a steering rack from a 97 M3 and swapping it into my 91 318is with airbag. I am however replacing the airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel with no airbag...is there anything I need to be aware of or look out for?

[Rontgen]

I just did the swap on my airbag car a few days ago and I had to do as you said, except for the steering wheel only going on one way. The steering wheel can be removed and adjusted as many teeth as needed. Thanks for posting pics and your experience, this is the kind of information that will help others in the future.

Thanks for clarifying! :up:

[z28]

I had read that a non-airbag car is easy - you just pull the steering wheel and put it back on straight. I didn't really look into it, but the post I ready made it sound like the airbag steering wheel only goes on one way, so it's not so easy.

Good Luck!

I just did the swap on my airbag car a few days ago and I had to do as you said, except for the steering wheel only going on one way. The steering wheel can be removed and adjusted as many teeth as needed. Thanks for posting pics and your experience, this is the kind of information that will help others in the future.