So I wasn't 100% sure what the problem was, but turns out I was right. Someone didn't install the pinion shaft seal properly during assembly. The worst part was that it's so obvious the guy/gal was either completely oblivious or they didn't give. a. fuck. at all. Should've pulled the dust cap off before I installed the rack... oh well, lesson learned. Got a regular e36 rack at a local part store (for some reason they couldn't order e46 racks) and installed. Not as quick as I'd like it to be, but goddamn is it nice to have power steering again.
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How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap
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No power steering
So I just finished this, took her for a drive and the power steering is not there. Filled it up and started the car. Went lock to lock and added another reservoir full of fluid. It must be pumping as it pulled the fluid in. Could there be something wrong with the rack itself? Did I screw up the hoses? Not sure if that's even possible.
Thanks
Disregard.....just went out to try it again and works fine. Very strange. Maybe a little air pocket although fluid was at the correct level.Last edited by brads2002; 03-23-2014, 03:41 PM.
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Originally posted by brads2002 View PostSo I just finished this, took her for a drive and the power steering is not there. Filled it up and started the car. Went lock to lock and added another reservoir full of fluid. It must be pumping as it pulled the fluid in. Could there be something wrong with the rack itself? Did I screw up the hoses? Not sure if that's even possible.
Thanks
If this doesn't work then I'd say that you may have hooked up the hoses incorrectly but I don't think that's really possible without major leaking and/or seriously screwing up the rack. There's one high pressure hose that attaches to the pump and the rack, and two low pressure. One from the reservoir to the pump, and one from rack to reservoir.
As an aside I have an update:
About 1000 miles in with the AAE 3111N and it has stiffened up quite a bit, and what used to be a quite light and numb (but laughably fast, I kind of miss it) experience is now well weighted and very communicative. The texture of the road surface is translated pretty significantly to the wheel.
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Alpinweiss II 88 325is | M20 | 5 Lug Conversion
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Kyle
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How To Guide - E36 Steering Rack Swap
BMW racks are self bleeding as long as you have enough fluid. (At least, the e30 system is)
Have the reservoir full then steer to lock; refill, steer to center, refill, steer to opposite lock, refill, steer to center again, fill to indicated volume, cap off. For added measure, you can steer lock to lock a couple times after with it uncapped to make absolute sure all the air has been bled out.
Should be good unless you have a blown rack or leaks in the system.
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Originally posted by FLG View PostYea you just need to bend things a tad
Easiest way, however, is to bend the high pressure line a little to make the angle larger (should be the longer one) and have it tweaked a little. I done two rack installs since then with e36 racks on a buddies car.
You'll know what I mean once you're in there
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