E36 rack. IS IT OK?!

[LJ851]

What do you guys think of just deleting powers steering and pack the rack with grease?

Yes. E36 rack is so worth it, the only downside is heavier steering at low speeds. Get to work, son.

[MattAvino]

Yes. E36 rack is so worth it, the only downside is heavier steering at low speeds. Get to work, son.

Wont have to worry about thick grease getting through shitty seals. (well, it wont penetrate as quickly.)

Wasn't looking forward to dealing with power steering hoses and shit anyways.

[MattBimmer]

Hey guys, Matt especially since you might have to do the same mod.

WHAT EXACTLY should I do about the firewall mod? I dont really feel like having to do all the new gasket thing. lol. I know you have to dremel down and to the left about 1.5 inch. I read one article that said the guy just packed the holewith some big chunks of rubber to keep the column from jigglin.

[MattAvino]

Hey guys, Matt especially since you might have to do the same mod.

WHAT EXACTLY should I do about the firewall mod? I dont really feel like having to do all the new gasket thing. lol. I know you have to dremel down and to the left about 1.5 inch. I read one article that said the guy just packed the holewith some big chunks of rubber to keep the column from jigglin.

I have an early model. No airbag.

[KenC]

What do you guys think of just deleting powers steering and pack the rack with grease?

Sounds terrible. The fluid has to circulate inside it.

Don't half ass it now and regret it later. Just get a good rack and hook it up properly.

[MattAvino]

Yes. E36 rack is so worth it, the only downside is heavier steering at low speeds. Get to work, son.

Sounds terrible. The fluid has to circulate inside it.

Don't half ass it now and regret it later. Just get a good rack and hook it up properly.

conflicting opinions here...

[LJ851]

conflicting opinions here...

the fluid does need to circulate, assuming there is fluid in rack. A completely hooked up power steering system without power (cut belt) is awful. You can connect the two power steering hose fittings on the rack to allow any remaining fluid to circulate.

i'm not guessing it will be ok, my last E30 was set up this way by the PO and it had a big old M30 in too. It drove great, just takes effort at very low speeds.

My current car has power steering and an E36 rack.

[MattAvino]

Does grease need to circulate if its packed?
Sorta confused now as to how exactly people do power steering deletes. Maybe I read your post wrong.

[davem]

If you wanna delete ps then get as much of the ATF out as you can (turn the rack side to side a billion times using the splined shaft). I don't see any problem with doing that and just putting fresh grease on the rack and pinion and running it "power less". Can't comment on how much steering effort there will be as I retained ps.

Also, your rack seals are fucked, so don't bother installing it and running ps. It may only leak a bit at first but it WILL get worse and the job is enough of a pita that you don't want to do it twice, ask me how I know.

[MattAvino]

Ok thanks. Hopefully (if I don't run ps) grease wont penetrate through the old faulty seals.