Steering Binding '95 M3 Rack

[Garageaholic]

I just installed a used ebay e36 rack that was claimed to have relatively low miles (<100k). After only 700 miles of driving on it, it starts binding.

I put the car on jack stands. It's like when I turn the wheel (with the car on or off), I feel an easy-hard-easy-hard sort of resistance when turning the wheel lock-to-lock. The U-joints are brand new, so no binding there.

I've been using CHF-11S as a fluid (the expensive green stuff) as opposed to ATF.

Is the rack bad or should I switch to ATF? I have yet to change either.

Thanks for your help,

[jlevie]

If the easy-hard variation is in time with the steering wheel rotation, either the steering column is binding or the rack pinion is. By being in time I mean that the hard part occurs at the same steering wheel position every revolution.

[scottinAZ]

check that the steering coupler is not binding on itself. The U-joints are most likely just fine, but the difference in length between the E30 and E36 coupler creates a hard bind on the u-joint yokes. 5 min with a dremel and you will be good to go.

[jeffnhiscars]

I'm not sure about the M3 rack but I use atf for all my racks. You may also have too much angle in your knuckle which can cause binding. While you need some angle, you can always slide the upper knuckle up a bit which should help relieve some minor binding. If that doesnt solve it, then yes, Dremel.

[Garageaholic]

Thanks guys. The issue is that since I installed it 800 miles ago, it's never blinded and now it's started to bind......and getting worse at that.

I will disconnect the steering shaft and spin the steering wheel freely as to identify if there is something that has developed in the steering column itself, although I highly double it.

Binding in the 2 u joints is not the culprit. I had a friend turn the wheel as I visually inspected the u joints as they were spinning and observed no interferences.

[Garageaholic]

Removed the rack and it was still binding. I could hear and feel it. Perhaps the chf-11s that ate the seals inside the rack considering that the problem got progressively worse. I don't know....

I am going to get a rebuiltbm '95 m3 rack from rackdoctor.net and use dextron IV ATF.