How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[abefroman]

damn i'm having a hard time getting my hands on a rack. Maval is dead out of stock on both the z3 and e36 racks. anyone know another good source?

Just got an e36 rack from discount steering. They have plenty in stock.

[BraveUlysses]

Is your avatar mf doom? alright so what exactly is your problem? do you have a picture? you definitely need some force and wd40 to get the splined part to go into the column

Indeed it is Mr Doom

The knuckle is installed on both sets of splines and the rack is in place.

On each spline, there is a flat spot, in order to allow clearance for the bolts that tighten the knuckle.

Stuck at work so this illustration will have to do:



Currently, I cannot get the slots on the rack/steering column to line up with the slots on the knuckle (where the bolt runs through). The steering rack and column both extend too far into the knuckle to line up correctly.

[ian e30 318is]

Currently, I cannot get the slots on the rack/steering column to line up with the slots on the knuckle (where the bolt runs through). The steering rack and column both extend too far into the knuckle to line up correctly.

Did you bolt your rack up to the holes closer to the front or the rear of the car? If you use the ones closer to the front, that might pull the rack out slightly further so you can fit the splined pieces. I dont know if i even ran a bolt through through the knuckle

[BraveUlysses]

Hmm, that's a good point. I'm pretty sure i used the same ones that the stock rack was on, the rearward set of holes, but i'll double check it when i get home.

I might also see if changing the washer stack-up changes things for the better.

[ian e30 318is]

Hmm, that's a good point. I'm pretty sure i used the same ones that the stock rack was on, the rearward set of holes, but i'll double check it when i get home.

I might also see if changing the washer stack-up changes things for the better.

yeah try that...I had to use the dremel just a little bit on the front holes to enlarge them just slightly. Spacers were also required on the top of the mounting bolts but washers should work just fine

[BraveUlysses]

Yup, that fixed it, got in all in with a bit of cursing.

[ian e30 318is]

Yup, that fixed it, got in all in with a bit of cursing.

*takes a bow* hahah glad you got it in there finally

[cobraken]

Just to let you guys know that I purchased a Z3 rack from BMA and it didnt have the locking tabs on the inner tie rods. The inner tie rods were just locktighted on.

So if you buy a rack from BMA now ya know!

[Pennyw1se]

Seems like a fairly straight-forward procedure but one thing has me a bit confused. I've read that some people didn't have to modify their steering knuckle while others did. The last thing I want to do is modify my steering knuckle and then find out I didn't have to. Of course, if I use washers instead of the alum. spacer it wouldn't matter much since I could use less spacers to get back to "stock" knuckle length.
For those of you that have done the swap, who did NOT have to modify their steering knuckle and what was used in the swap (E30 year, air-bag(less), new rack model)? Thanks.

[87e30]

Just for the record, I used washers and I did have to modify my steering knuckle.

Wasn't so bad, though.

[Aptyp]

same, used washers... When I have my engine out, I'll replace them with something else.

[cobraken]

I modified my steering rack for an M3 steering rack, then when I couldn’t find a 95 M3 steering rack I installed a Z3 rack. It looks like I should have never modified it after getting it all put together. There is about a 1 inch gap on the rack spline between the end of the steering knuckle and the rack. I slide it onto the rack spline enough to put the bolt through the slot on the rack.

[Jalves619]

I'm in the process of doing the swap now with a 1990 325i Airbag car. I've shimmed the rack and bolted it in to the holes further away from the subframe because the rack boots came into contact with the engine mount tabs when I had it bolted closer to the subframe. Der affe said he didn't have to modify anything including his firewall plate and his setup was the closest to what I've got. Since I don't have to modify the knuckle I should be good to go right? Holy huge ass picture batman Sorry

[cobraken]

I'm in the process of doing the swap now with a 1990 325i Airbag car. I've shimmed the rack and bolted it in to the holes further away from the subframe because the rack boots came into contact with the engine mount tabs when I had it bolted closer to the subframe. Der affe said he didn't have to modify anything including his firewall plate and his setup was the closest to what I've got. Since I don't have to modify the knuckle I should be good to go right? Holy huge ass picture batman Sorry

Great photo!

[BraveUlysses]

I'm in the process of doing the swap now with a 1990 325i Airbag car. I've shimmed the rack and bolted it in to the holes further away from the subframe because the rack boots came into contact with the engine mount tabs when I had it bolted closer to the subframe. Der affe said he didn't have to modify anything including his firewall plate and his setup was the closest to what I've got. Since I don't have to modify the knuckle I should be good to go right? Holy huge ass picture batman Sorry

Looks good but I'd put a washer underneath the head of the bolt and another underneath the nut too. Everything else sounds right.