How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[ethirtydavid]

you talking about shaving the knuckle down a little bit? I did that before even testing for rubbing - I figured it would only take a second and not a lot needed to come off anyways.

As far as it goes now, I am only familiar with swapping the e36 racks. I haven't researched the z3 install..

[87e30]

Oh okay... I just meant that if I put in the e36 rack then I assume it'd be pretty easy to swap it out for a z3 rack in the future. Hopefully I won't be wanting to do that though!

[SamE30e]

I just did my rack tonight, not a E36 but this probably applies to it. Might work just for air bag cars.

Instead of messing with the spline, take the kick panel off and split the steering shaft by undoing the giant 30mm bolt. It is easier to change the spline on the rack with it out of the car then to do it in it. It's also easier to line that spline up then the smaller one.

Just my .02

[Kingb]

Ok so my knuckle doesn't look like that at all euro 90 325i. It doesn't curve around it self so I don't see how I can shorten it. Can I shorten a e36 one or how do I do this??

[themitchster359]

I just got my rack done last night. my old e30 rack was sooo fucked for the longest time. I had a buddy help me for sure - I don't really think it too possible without one.

The install was straight forward, thanks to the OP for the diy and rack that he sold me. It works and looks amazing! The car with the new tie-rods and e36 rack, it feels alot tighter and way more responsive.

The only issue that I really had was the knuckle, I still have a little binding, but not bad. I just need to go in there a dremel out alittle bit!

[mars]

I need some help.

I started this swap today because my rack was shot. I got to the steering knuckle and I'm having some problems so I have some questions.

I'm trying to shorten the rack and I'm trying to use the 7/16 bolt and the 7/16 nut (this guy Nut: 72111977925, is this the correct nut for the knuckle?) The problem I'm having is that the 7/16 bolt doesn't fit through the hole in one of the pieces of the knuckle (fits in the top piece, but not the bottom piece), and also doesn't fit through the spacer. Am I doing this part right?

I also can't figure out what these parts are used for:
Bolt M10x50 - - - - - - - - - 26111226737 - - - - x2
Self Locking Nuts - - - - - - 07129964672 - - - - x2
Self Locking Nuts - - - - - - 07129922716 - - - - -x4

[SkinnyVT]

I used a M10x50 for the knuckle. Not sure why the OP said 7/16, personally I try to keep all the hardware on the car metric.

[themitchster359]

i drilled mine out. then bolted it all up.

[Aptyp]

I used a M10x50 for the knuckle. Not sure why the OP said 7/16, personally I try to keep all the hardware on the car metric.

because 7/16 are an incredibly good fit without drilling

[mars]

i drilled mine out. then bolted it all up.

you mean you drilled out the small holes on the top knuckle part to fit the 7/16 bolt? I was thinking about doing that, was just worried about the consequences of drilling the hole bigger.

[CoryE30]

I'm in the middle of swapping in a Z3 rack. I'm replacing my tie rods since they're shot, but did everyone reuse the locking plates at the inner tie rod?

[SkinnyVT]

I'm in the middle of swapping in a Z3 rack. I'm replacing my tie rods since they're shot, but did everyone reuse the locking plates at the inner tie rod?

If you have the time to spare to order some then do that, but if you need to be able to drive the car now then just reuse them.

[CoryE30]

Ok, it looks as if the Z3 rack I have does not have a notch for the locking plate on the OD or ID. I've attached a picture which shows the inner tie rod placement. Real-Oem shows no locking plate for the Z3's 2.8 or 3.0, but the M version has one. Has anyone run into this, what did you use? What does the Z3 2.8 use? Any help would be appreciated.

[Fast Frankie]

I just did it a couple weeks back, very straight forward. I am running no PS, so I bought one of those aluminum delete blocks - works great. ....

Can you provide a little more information on this? I'm my own power steering so I'm interested in the best way to seal off the system and completely delete the PS.

Any help?

[tjts1]

Take a small piece of 3/8" ID hose, stick it on the banjo bolts then reinstall the bolts. Free and effective. Just make sure to first drain the oil out of the rack.