question on modifying e30 steering knuckle for e36 rack swap

[iwantspeed]

Hello Guys,
I purchased a spare e30 knuckle to prep on the work bench and get it ready before I swap in my e36 rack.

I have 3 questions sorry for the large pictures.

car

• 1989 325i
• no airbag
• stock motor

rack

• e36 rack from a 1998 328i
• e36 inner and outer tie rods
• lock plates
• e36 rack boots with zipties
• e30 late model but pre airbag steering knuckle
• e30 Ireland engineering polyurethane guibo

question #1

• should i drill out the smaller hole on the steering knuckle to accommodate a bigger bolt?

The knuckle side closer to the firewall has smaller holes at 0.350


the side closer to the steering rack has holes at 0.550


Question # 2
what size spacers for the knuckle should i buy or make to accommodate the Ireland engineering bigger guibo?

the size of the spacer also depends on if you place the rack on the inner holes or outer holes on the steering rack at the moment im not sure which is correct.

the stock rubber guibo has a width of 0.730


new Ireland Engineering guibo has a width of 0.946


Question # 3
What size spacer are used on the subframe to accommodate the smaller rack?

[bzboardz]

I would either drill out the smaller hole or use a spacer and fill the .550dia hole. I turned down a plastic bushing I had to fill the larger hole.

Here is a picture of my finished knuckle, the spacers are .5in. I also shaved down the corners of the u-joint to allow for more clearance if needed

[jeffnhiscars]

or buy this:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94377

I've used this kit 2x (about to do a 3rd) and it makes for a clean mod with no fuss & it includes sleeves for the bolt holes. Just my 2c

[iwantspeed]

I would either drill out the smaller hole or use a spacer and fill the .550dia hole. I turned down a plastic bushing I had to fill the larger hole.

Here is a picture of my finished knuckle, the spacers are .5in. I also shaved down the corners of the u-joint to allow for more clearance if needed

thanks henry i can make something like this at work.

or buy this:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94377

I've used this kit 2x (about to do a 3rd) and it makes for a clean mod with no fuss & it includes sleeves for the bolt holes. Just my 2c

he never responded to my pm's
thank you.

[jeffnhiscars]

he never responded to my pm's
thank you.

I dont know what PM you mean. I just ordered the kit on 2 occasions and and will order a 3rd set shortly. They arrived within days

[iwantspeed]

I dont know what PM you mean. I just ordered the kit on 2 occasions and and will order a 3rd set shortly. They arrived within days

I sent Chris the person who wrote the article a pm(private message) requesting those parts.

[jeffnhiscars]

I sent Chris the person who wrote the article a pm(private message) requesting those parts.

Chris owns the site. The very first post says says:

Please send your payments via Paypal to m3@e30tech.com or order directly from the main page - http://www.e30tech.com/

May be easier to make your own

[defaultName]

or buy this:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94377

I used this kit with my Z3 rack swap and would definitely use it again.

[franken325i]

stupid question but what is the benifit to putten the rack in?

[lambo]

stupid question but what is the benifit to putten the rack in?

Tighter and quicker steering.

This thread goes into very deep detail about it all.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261

[franken325i]

ok thanks