I'm switching to an E36 rack in my '91 airbag car. Really was a PITA, the splines from the E36 knuckle did not fit up to the splines on my steering shaft.
I ended up cutting two of the guibo rivets, pulling off the upper u-joint from the E36 knuckle, and replacing it with the non-u-joint upper portion from my E30. The result is a steering knuckle with one u-joint on the rack-side of the guibo, where most would also have another u-joint on the steering wheel side.
The length worked out just fine, and there is no binding, everything appears okay.... however, the guibo is flexing more than I'd like. The firewall is cut for clearance, but the rubber plug is putting pressure on the steering shaft and misaligning it relative to the knuckle. I'd say there is not more than 10 degrees of planar misalignment. Should I be concerned? I could probably cut the rubber firewall seal and gain clearance, but I don't want excessive noise & wind coming into the cabin. I'd hate to have the guibo fail in a matter of months, though, as replacement from below will be quite the task.
I ended up cutting two of the guibo rivets, pulling off the upper u-joint from the E36 knuckle, and replacing it with the non-u-joint upper portion from my E30. The result is a steering knuckle with one u-joint on the rack-side of the guibo, where most would also have another u-joint on the steering wheel side.
The length worked out just fine, and there is no binding, everything appears okay.... however, the guibo is flexing more than I'd like. The firewall is cut for clearance, but the rubber plug is putting pressure on the steering shaft and misaligning it relative to the knuckle. I'd say there is not more than 10 degrees of planar misalignment. Should I be concerned? I could probably cut the rubber firewall seal and gain clearance, but I don't want excessive noise & wind coming into the cabin. I'd hate to have the guibo fail in a matter of months, though, as replacement from below will be quite the task.
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