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

[zaq123]

what are people doing with the rack spacers? top or bottom? anyone noticed bump steer?

mine are on top of my z3 rack and i notice some bumpsteer, yet i still had what i would call bump steer on the stock rack (may have been just worn as hell) and the z3 rack didn't make it worse. I'm thinking of splitting the difference and putting 1/2 thickness spacer at both top and bottom that way the rack is centered

so what is the verdict since you had this setup for awhile now? I just installed mine the other day (car is still not in the running shape). I put spacers on top and when car is at its regular riding height, tie rods aren't parallel to control arm...so it seems.

Did anyone use bump steer gauge and actually tested this setup? I'm contemplating to make the gauge and test it out...unless someone already done it here.. Any info?

Looks like bump steer gauge is a simple DIY with a few hardware store items and the dial gauge

https://www.maximummotorsports.com/assets/install/pdf/steering/Mm5TR-2.pdf

[modifiede30]

If anyone is interested, sometime in the next few months I'll have either a Z3 1.9l rack or Z3M rack available for sale depending on which I decide to keep. At a minimum, I can post the part numbers and LTL numbers and anything else that might help document specific info on these.

[Caperix]

I just finished swapping the rack in my 95 m3 to a 712 zhp rack from rack doctor. The effort is a little heavier than the m3 rack. The quicker steering on center is not a major change when driving. I plan on rebuilding the m3 rack & putting it in my e30 where it will be a large improvement.

[325isman]

Great info, I'm thinking about a steering rack change and this wil help a lot

[earthwormjim]

figure it can't hurt to throw it out there again...

2001+ E46 yellow tag "712" racks are definitely the best bang for the buck
they have a ratio of 13:7:1, 3 turns lock to lock and an excellent sporty feel
also can be grabbed in a junkyard for ~$60

330 ZHP always have them, majority of 330s have them, and sometimes you find them on lesser models as well. They're plentiful in a yard with e46s

I used to love the steering feel on my parents 330ci back in the day (it had the same rack). And now I have one on my e36. Definitely the best steering feel of any BMW I've driven. Feels very tight, connected, heavy (in a good way) and perfectly mechanical.

Definitely have to go in person to get a yellow tag for cheap. Online classifieds or ebay are often more expensive, because people know they are desirable racks.

Purple tag racks are the same gearing too, just more steering assist so they don't feel as tight as the yellow tag.

Honestly if you are scrounging in a junk yard, just find the lowest mileage rack you can from an E36, Z3 or E46. Any of them will be better than what is in an E30, and a worn out yellow tag rack would be worse than a relatively fresh E36 rack.

If you're buying rebuilt, then yes seek out yellow tag or Z3 non-M racks.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

figure it can't hurt to throw it out there again...

2001+ E46 yellow tag "712" racks are definitely the best bang for the buck
they have a ratio of 13:7:1, 3 turns lock to lock and an excellent sporty feel
also can be grabbed in a junkyard for ~$60

330 ZHP always have them, majority of 330s have them, and sometimes you find them on lesser models as well. They're plentiful in a yard with e46s

I used to love the steering feel on my parents 330ci back in the day (it had the same rack). And now I have one on my e36. Definitely the best steering feel of any BMW I've driven. Feels very tight, connected, heavy (in a good way) and perfectly mechanical.

[jeffnhiscars]

There's no debate about the 95 M3 rack...only misunderstandings and myths. I asked this exact question of Rich aka the rackdr and he confirmed that EVERY e36 rack has the same ratio and all but the 95 M3, which is progressive (and totally over rated IMO), are linear.

PS I didn't read this whole thread again so am probably repeating myself.

[earthwormjim]

I wanted to find out what kind of core refund they would give on my current 95 m3 rack & see if I could order a zhp rack with e36 tie rods installed.
I am trying to decide if it's worth keeping the e36 rack, rebuilding it my self & installing in the e30. I know there is a lot of debate about the 95 m3 rack, but it is alot better than the e30 rack & I all ready have it.

It's the slowest feeling upgrade rack for the most part, but still light years better than a stock E30 rack.


If I was going through the expense of having paying a shop to do the install, I'd get the real rack you want. If you're just DIY swapping over the weekend, I'd go with what you already have, and save money.

[Caperix]

I wanted to find out what kind of core refund they would give on my current 95 m3 rack & see if I could order a zhp rack with e36 tie rods installed.
I am trying to decide if it's worth keeping the e36 rack, rebuilding it my self & installing in the e30. I know there is a lot of debate about the 95 m3 rack, but it is alot better than the e30 rack & I all ready have it.

[earthwormjim]

Has anyone had luck getting in contact with the rack doctor recently? I would like to order a ZHP rack for my car but have had no luck getting them to return Emails.

I bought my rack from them about a year ago, but what exactly do you need to talk to them about? Their online store seemed to be fine on its own with no human interaction.

To clarify a bit, you cannot mix and match inners and outers...ie both have to be either e30 or e36. As earthwormjim said, the e36 are a heftier and come in L&R whereas the e30s are interchangeable.

As for the rack itself, unless it's a 95m3 rack, which is progressive, virtually every other e36 rack is the same (linear).

The M3 racks (non '95) while they may have the same gearing as non-M, have limiters and less steering assist, so they feel heavier and have less travel distance.

[Caperix]

Has anyone had luck getting in contact with the rack doctor recently? I would like to order a ZHP rack for my car but have had no luck getting them to return Emails.

[jeffnhiscars]

To clarify a bit, you cannot mix and match inners and outers...ie both have to be either e30 or e36. As earthwormjim said, the e36 are a heftier and come in L&R whereas the e30s are interchangeable.

As for the rack itself, unless it's a 95m3 rack, which is progressive, virtually every other e36 rack is the same (linear).

[earthwormjim]

You can use either one, the E36 ones are a little beefier though.

I used E36 tie rods on my car.

[Equirk12]

Question regarding the e36 steering rack swap

Hi I am swapping in an e36 m3 rack into my e30 325i. Was wondering if you guys use e36 tie rod ends or do you just use e30 tie rod ends. I’m trying to get this done ASAP so I can drop my engine back in and get driving.

[jeffnhiscars]

Great info. I'll add though that the installed e36 rack is 3.2 turns LTL. On the bench could be different.