How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[redearedslider5]

Euro knuckles are plug and play with the rack swap. Just space out the subframe.

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

[ScottSneed]

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

Try swapping the steering column? May be less of a headache than trying to get your current one to fit

[LicensedToM]

Hey guys, I have a '91 318 (airbagged) and the rack just went out, so I'm of course looking at the e36 conversion. Any feedback on this on eBay? I'm weary of the quality, but wanted to see if anyone has had experience with these. I'm sorry if this has already been reviewed on r3v.

Thanks!

[TeXJ]

You could say that again...oh and the link no worky worky

[redearedslider5]

In the middle of the swap now and I left out an important detail before. My car was originally a 318i with factory manual steering. The new rack is mounted and the knuckle piece is way too long, unfortunately. Also, the factory pinion on the manual rack is much smaller diameter than the z3 pinion. All the articles on shortening the length of the knuckle seems to be based on the 'standard' e30 knuckle.

I can't seem to find any info on the manual steering knuckle, has this been documented?

For future reference, I ended up just buying the custom piece from Zionsville auto.

[LicensedToM]

You could say that again...oh and the link no worky worky

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Power-Steering-Rack-Pinion-for-BMW-318-323-325-328-M3-E36-3-Series-Z3/352267086139?hash=item5204c1293b:g:ausAAOSwOYFabnqZ

How's this?

[e304lyfe]

For future reference, I ended up just buying the custom piece from Zionsville auto.

Also for future reference.... As you found out, the manual steering rack linkage is entirely different. To remedy this you would need to purchase a standard early model power steering linkage and shorten it for an e36 rack install. I assume this is the part that zionsville sold you.

[bellerto]

Rack hard lines in the way

So I go through all the steps, modified steering knuckle, and get all excited about mounting the new E36 rack into place. Only to find out it wont fit because the hard lines on the rack are hitting the sub frame :o



I figure I would cut the lines shorter so that they are closer to the rack and get enough clearance. But I see this weird flare that doesnt seem to be either bubble or double, so I can't just rent a tool to get it done.



This is very frustrating to say the least and Im unable to finish the job. This rack appears to be generic as it has no plates or part numbers. Got it from buyautoparts.com as "Power Steering - E36 Chassis [New Body Style] Power Steering Rack 1993 BMW 325i"

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

[Zambuzan]

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

OEM or bust, mate. Return it and go buy an e46 "purple" rack off RackDoctor.
GL

[bellerto]

OEM or bust, mate. Return it and go buy an e46 "purple" rack off RackDoctor.
GL

Yup. Lesson learned the hard way. Looking for a genuine BMW rack now for sure. Im a bit skeptical on rackdoctor though. How can the prices be so low compared to other reputable sites?

[pandaboo911]

How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

Weird, on my e36 rack there’s an o-ring in there, it’s not a flare. Check if it’s stuck inside.

I have a rack from rack doctor and it was leaking from one of those fittings as soon as I got it, so I’m not confident they are as good as people make them out to be.

[TeXJ]

e46 yellow tag is where it's at.

[bellerto]

Weird, on my e36 rack there’s an o-ring in there, it’s not a flare. Check if it’s stuck inside.

I have a rack from rack doctor and it was leaking from one of those fittings as soon as I got it, so I’m not confident they are as good as people make them out to be.

This does have an o-ring in there as well just not shown in the picture. So the fitting goes through the o-ring and the flare sits on top of the ring.

I figure I would just cut the line sorter and re-flare it but then I was surprised with this. I believe this type of flare is called "GM fuel line" flare. It couldn't be something easy to deal with like double or bubble, of course.

[the_eskimo_wonder]

I have a Rack Doctor E46 yellow tag in my car and it's fantastic. Seriously, 10/10. Quality of the rebuild is top notch as well. Not a drip

[Jokester]

I have an unused rack doctor e46 rack for sale if anyone is interested. It’s brand new.