How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap

[SoEm0]

Yeah if you get a e36 rack it should come with inner tie rods. You can get some e36 outer tie rods and make sure you get the e36 lock sleeves. Then your good to go

[Karmageddon]

Thanks

As for the rest of the questions, right after I asked someone explained the situation to me.

[davem]

ok so just did e36 rack re and re again after the first rack i put it in started leaking. I cant get the steering wheel to sit perfectly straight when the wheels are pointed straight - i've removed and reintalled the wheel on one spline left and right... i guess i need to take the knuckle off and move it over one spline as well to adjust for the tiny difference? The car has been aligned.

[SoEm0]

Mine was a little off too. It was straight after i got it aligned

[davem]

Mine was a little off too. It was straight after i got it aligned

yeah i just got it aligned today and it's still off :/ didn't have this issues last time.

[Jim Lepage]

What's the best way to remove the knuckle from the steering column ? I tried by prying, heating, PB Blasting, knocking, swearing...

It doesn't move. I can mod it in place but I'd prefer to do it in my shop.

[skankbot]

I used a screw driver to pry open the upper knuckle clamp from the steering column shaft. It is shown in step 14 of the write up. I don't think you have to remove the upper knuckle bolt all the way(no bolt groove in the steering column shaft), but it may be easier to remove with it completely out of the way if you haven't done so already.

[Jim Lepage]

I used a screw driver to pry open the upper knuckle clamp from the steering column shaft. It is shown in step 14 of the write up. I don't think you have to remove the upper knuckle bolt all the way(no bolt groove in the steering column shaft), but it may be easier to remove with it completely out of the way if you haven't done so already.

I already pryed it and the bolt isn't there anymore. :???:

[jeffnhiscars]

You can accomplish exactly the same thing by repositioning the steering wheel (60 seconds in the drivers seat) or the knuckle (PITA contortions lying under your car).

You pick.

[M3PO]

When I pulled my rack from a 95 M3, I took the entire knuckle assembly. Can I use the complete M3 knuckle instead of modifying my E30 knuckle?

[Jim Lepage]

I did the same setup than chrisnxl185.

[MattBimmer]

Guys I need help stat. Need my car back on the ground ASAP and I need the outer tie rod lock sleeves. I cant find them anywhere. What exactly is it too?

[MattBimmer]

Also I thought a good way to remove the spline from the knuckle is have a friend hold the rack and gently tap with a pickle fork.

[jeffnhiscars]

Also I thought a good way to remove the spline from the knuckle is have a friend hold the rack and gently tap with a pickle fork.

There's too much space between the rack body and the knuckle for a pickle fork to be much good and you absolutely do not want to risk damaging the splines. Remove the locking bolt completely (remember it locks in to a groove on the rack shaft) and drive a screwdriver in to the split in the knuckle to spread it. Then drive it off gently with a drift.

[MattBimmer]

Hey guys I couldn't really tell by the pictures which is the High pressure PS line. The one with all the coils and has the 22mm bolt or the 19mm banjo bolt line.