different rack and pinion?

[gillette]

So i recently acquired this e30 and it needed a rack and pinion, oil pump, and oil pan. Got everything and started to put it together when i realized i think i have the wrong rack and pinion. The one that was in there looks like it has no power steering when the one i pulled from an e30 in the yardhas the power steering pump on it. Will this one with the power steering pump work on mine? It looks considerably different with all the lines and hoses. Please! Any help is appreciated. I'm trying to actually drive this thing!!

BTW I have a 1990 325is. thank you!

[blunttech]

you can probably make it work. Non power e30's had a different u joint piece about 6 inches long?? If you can get that from the donor car you can likely piece it together,,, put some fluid in the new rack and cap it and run it as a manual with more steering effort. I had a brand new manual NOS rack from my supplier i got for 30 bucks 2 weeks ago so your timing sucks. I sold it cheap. Sorry

[gillette]

Damn! No way to get another one of those?? I'd rather put the right one in there. Thanks for the help though.

[jlevie]

As far as I know, manual steering was only available on European cars. If this was a US car the rack has been changed at some point in the past. Go to realoem.com, plug in the last 7 of the VIN, and see what the car should have.

[gillette]

thats interesting... thanks for the information... it says its a US car but there was no lines or anything on this rack. Ill have to throw up some pictures of the old rack and you guys can tell me if its the European rack.

So the next question is... how do I hook up this rack and pinion with the power steering lines? Im unsure where all of this goes now bc I dont have a reference to go back on? Do I cap these lines?