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What will i need for a new steering rack swap?

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    What will i need for a new steering rack swap?

    So my power steering has been out for a bit and my oil pan needs replacing so i figured when i have everything, it would be a good time to do both. What exactly will i need for this swap? I will be getting an e36 rack unless someone thinks the Z3 one will be better or cheaper. I've got a general idea of how to take it off and put it back on but i don't know what i will need to go with the rack. Would anyone mind letting me know if i need to buy replacement bolts or lines or anything? I also saw people drilling and dremmling their linkage so if someone could explain that would be nice.

    I saw that many companies make kits for airbag and non-airbag versions but idk what mine would count as since i have a removable wheel.
    Last edited by ThomasE30; 04-30-2020, 09:21 PM.

    #2
    Pretty sure this type of question isn't allowed in this section, but:

    What year is your car? If '88 and older I believe those are ALL non-airbag cars.

    This is what I did to my '88 car: OEM rebuilt purple tag e46 rack from RackDoctor (Z3 racks are $$, and e36 racks are barely an upgrade), Garagistic delrin coupler + modified knuckle + spacers + subframe spacers, manually bending 1 power steering hardline, alignment, DONE.

    If your car does have an airbag, pretty sure you skip on modifying the knuckle. I wouldn't know from experience...
    "Time doesn't heal anything... It just teaches us how to live with the pain." - My Cracked Dashboard

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      #3
      Oh okay sorry to the mods. Thank you for the reply. My car is an 85 325e. I figured an e36 rack wouldn't do too much but they seem to be cheaper than a Z3 or e30 rack.. I'll give them a call to see what would be good. how much did this end up costing you and how much of a pain is it to do? It seems straight forward but i know it probably isn't once i get down to it, especially the linkage.

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        #4
        A good place to start... https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...ring-rack-swap
        2004 525i Manual - 1985 325E Coupe Manual

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          #5
          Originally posted by Zambuzan View Post
          Pretty sure this type of question isn't allowed in this section, but:

          What year is your car? If '88 and older I believe those are ALL non-airbag cars.

          This is what I did to my '88 car: OEM rebuilt purple tag e46 rack from RackDoctor (Z3 racks are $$, and e36 racks are barely an upgrade), Garagistic delrin coupler + modified knuckle + spacers + subframe spacers, manually bending 1 power steering hardline, alignment, DONE.

          If your car does have an airbag, pretty sure you skip on modifying the knuckle. I wouldn't know from experience...
          Hey would you mind telling me how your experience has been with rackdoctor. I have seen some mixed reviews online but they seem like a good place to go for one.

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            #6
            Originally posted by ThomasE30 View Post

            Hey would you mind telling me how your experience has been with Rackdoctor. I have seen some mixed reviews online but they seem like a good place to go for one.
            I got a ZHP rack from him that I installed last weekend and am hoping to have finished (I have new lines and a new reservoir that I need to install along with it) this weekend. I was worried about the mixed reviews also, so I called before ordering and found their customer service to be really good. When I ordered they were in the process of moving their operation to a bigger facility, so I'd be aware of that if you don't reach anyone. He shipped mine when he said he would, the rack itself looks nice, the hard lines are correct and it installed without issue. Fingers crossed for when I add fresh fluid and start the engine, but so far so good for what it's worth from me.

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              #7
              Rackdr is fine as long as you don't try to tell him he's wrong cause you read something on the internet lol. As for an e36 rack not being an upgrade I'll respectfully disagree. You're going from 4.0 turns LTL to 3.2. By my math that's 20% and is just right for every e30 I've done it to
              Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

              https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
              Alice the Time Capsule
              http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
              87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

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                #8
                So everyone, I ordered a 328i rack from an e36. It took about a week for Rich to ship it but i did read that they were moving. The service was great and the rack came in almost brand new. Now I just would like to ask, with my car being run with no power steering for a while, will I need a new resovior, pump and lines? And will i need to buy e36 parts since it's an e36 rack?

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by jeffnhiscars View Post
                  You're going from 4.0 turns LTL to 3.2. By my math that's 20% and is just right for every e30 I've done it to
                  Which rack has 1 turn from lock-to-lock?
                  Won't it provide 80% improvement?

                  Bicycles and motorcycles have it, and it feels awesome.
                  I just read this, "Formula 1 race cars have a steering ratio of 1:1 to allow them for lightning quick precision turning with slight movements on the steering wheel."

                  Last edited by Vincenze; 05-23-2020, 11:52 PM.

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Vincenze View Post
                    Which rack has 1 turn from lock-to-lock?
                    Won't it provide 80% improvement?

                    Bicycles and motorcycles have it, and it feels awesome.
                    I just read this, "Formula 1 race cars have a steering ratio of 1:1 to allow them for lightning quick precision turning with slight movements on the steering wheel."
                    Just remove the rack, install a bell crank then let us know how that works out. Just don't pope anything
                    Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                    https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                    Alice the Time Capsule
                    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                    87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

                    Comment


                      #11
                      It's a good idea to get a new reservoir and lines. I'm doing a purple tag swap next weekend and bought the Chase Bays power steering kit and Garagistic spacers for the steering linkage. Here's a video I've been referencing for the install, which includes dremeling the linkage: https://youtu.be/eAbZoHDVf4g

                      Some people bend the stock E30 lines, but I'd personally rather have nice fresh lines and a reservoir. I don't believe there's any reason to get a new pump unless yours is shot.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by WestCoastEta View Post
                        It's a good idea to get a new reservoir and lines. I'm doing a purple tag swap next weekend and bought the Chase Bays power steering kit and Garagistic spacers for the steering linkage. Here's a video I've been referencing for the install, which includes dremeling the linkage: https://youtu.be/eAbZoHDVf4g

                        Some people bend the stock E30 lines, but I'd personally rather have nice fresh lines and a reservoir. I don't believe there's any reason to get a new pump unless yours is shot.
                        I haven’t had power steering for a while and I was driving it so could it have been burnt up?

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