E36 racks: let's settle it once and for all.

[BrooklynMW]

Good to know. On my way back to my mechanic today anyway. I'll have him take a look

[Hellabad]

Good to know. On my way back to my mechanic today anyway. I'll have him take a look

A bent rack will usually be tight going one way, and not the other , because usually only one side of the rack is bent if nobody notices.

If it is very tight in the center, make sure that nobody got crazy and overtightened the preload on the rack bushing.

[BrooklynMW]

I think it just needs time to break in. The rack was completely rebuilt. If after a few weeks I still have a problem I'll have it looked at

[Holland]

Now I have a question. Who has a standard Z3 rack without power steering? How much is the overall turning radius effected compared to the standard E30 rack?

Any takers? Or am I going to have to be the first to try this potential suicide?

[MoparJ]

Any takers? Or am I going to have to be the first to try this potential suicide?

I would like to know as well, since I've dumped the PS on my car and have no intention of ever hooking it back up. I've had several people tell me the Z3 rack is a tad twitchy, but I'm assuming that those people are running them with power steering....

[E30SPDFRK]

So my question is unlike any of yours.

My problem with my 95 M3 rack is that it hangs too low. It started out a good 1/2"-3/4" lower than the subframe, but now I've scraped all of that off and have worn through into the actual worm screw. So I'm getting a new rack and I need one that sits as high as the stock e30 rack but still has a quicker ratio. Does anyone have a comparison of all the possible racks? I really don't want to have to swap back to a stock rack.

Pic for reference. This is the part I'm talking about.

[dude8383]

So my question is unlike any of yours.

My problem with my 95 M3 rack is that it hangs too low. It started out a good 1/2"-3/4" lower than the subframe, but now I've scraped all of that off and have worn through into the actual worm screw. So I'm getting a new rack and I need one that sits as high as the stock e30 rack but still has a quicker ratio. Does anyone have a comparison of all the possible racks? I really don't want to have to swap back to a stock rack.

Pic for reference. This is the part I'm talking about.

I don't know if there's any difference between the racks size wise but holy fuck you have balls riding that low.

[E30SPDFRK]

Meh it's not that bad lol. I know I never had this problem before with the stock rack and I haven't hear of any other slammed guys complaining about it so there must be a difference between those at least.


Edit: Found a pic from when I was still M42, look how high up the stock rack was

[hurttech]

So my question is unlike any of yours.

My problem with my 95 M3 rack is that it hangs too low. It started out a good 1/2"-3/4" lower than the subframe, but now I've scraped all of that off and have worn through into the actual worm screw. So I'm getting a new rack and I need one that sits as high as the stock e30 rack but still has a quicker ratio. Does anyone have a comparison of all the possible racks? I really don't want to have to swap back to a stock rack.

Pic for reference. This is the part I'm talking about.

I had a 96 m3 rack in my previous E30 and it wasnt the best fit, much like yours. On my current E30 I have a Z3 rack and it fits much better, ill see if I can snap a picture for you.

[E30SPDFRK]

I had a 96 m3 rack in my previous E30 and it wasnt the best fit, much like yours. On my current E30 I have a Z3 rack and it fits much better, ill see if I can snap a picture for you.

That would be great if you could please.

[E30SPDFRK]

Bump, how are e46 M3 ratios? I have the chance to get one for a steal.

[Tismael711]

I would love to switch to an E36 rack. Anyone in Jersey that can do the job? PM with referrals, recommendations and comments.

[tttoon]

I would like to know as well, since I've dumped the PS on my car and have no intention of ever hooking it back up. I've had several people tell me the Z3 rack is a tad twitchy, but I'm assuming that those people are running them with power steering....

I have z3 and no ps. Its a little lively on the freeway but not annoying, and perfectly manageable without the ps. You can still do low speed maneuvers with one hand if you want. Steering feel and response with a poly guibo is amazing.

[siazul]

Hey guys got a question for you, Theres a 98 3?? ti with some rear end damage at a local pick n pull, would that particular steering rack fit? I assume its just a regular e36 rack.

Thanks

[WUGcatsvt]

Great info. Just purchased a rack. The regular E30 rack is awful IMo. Cant wait to add this