Z4 non powered steering rack fits e30

[totheredline]

I want to revive this thread.

So. Z3 rack vs Z4 rack

-BOTH are linear?
-Z3 less tuns to lock but Z4 has more travel?

Which is the faster rack? If you were to turn both racks one revolution, which would have traveled the farthest?

Well I found one on ebay for $150 so it looks like that will be the route Im going.

[russ in va]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

I don't own a ukulele.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PLWqnfFgU

[FLG]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

Oh man you make me laugh so hard I about shit myself.

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[cunninglinguist]

You have to tip-toe through the tulips to find him.

[russ in va]

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The most ideal solution would be to contact tiny tim and order a custom new piece made from flaming river u joints.

Tapatalk

So how do I find Tiny Tim? Tried searching, no joy.

[Wanganstyle]

I believe these questions have all already been answered in this thread.

If not the bmw factory data published is avail online.

For bmw's:

Newer chassis= higher rack ratio number and more total angle.

If you have the budget and ability to fit a z4 rack; I don't see why a older z3 unit would be an option.


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[totheredline]

I want to revive this thread.

So. Z3 rack vs Z4 rack

-BOTH are linear?
-Z3 less tuns to lock but Z4 has more travel?

Which is the faster rack? If you were to turn both racks one revolution, which would have traveled the farthest?

[Wanganstyle]

Z4 non powered steering rack fits e30

No unfortunately I did not get any progress pics and once installed it's hard to see (obscured by everything else in the engine compartment). You can see the part he shortened here though: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=32&fg=30

I think he cut away 3/4 of the sliding adjustment area.

E36 tie rods are the ones used. Z4 tie rods are too large to fit e30 hubs.

Yes; the sliding piece has some very interesting parts inside that we choose to omit- full race car


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There are 4 -5 ball bearings on each side held in place by a plastic retaining clip; the shaft is designed to slide telescopically on these ball bearings.

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We choose to weld it solid as there are voids and the BMW engineered design of the steering shaft is compromised when cut down drastically in length. Our team has a professional materials engineer on board as well; so we don't tread lightly on anything safety system related.

We had our machine shop weld steel rods into the ball bearing channel to fill the void and weld it all together. I did not feel that plastic retainers holding a bunch of balls are going to survive our race abuse; banging back and forth every single time you turn; I always turn in while braking as well so many more forces adding up.......caged car and body by Tc design......stiff and solid bushings/billet engine mounts.........basically NVH up the wazoo.
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I did not take any pictures or post details on purpose as this is a critical safety piece and I cannot be responsible for another's safety due to modifications.

We use this in a wheel to wheel endurance race car and your life is in danger every time you strap into that car and roll on track.

I'm not suggesting anyone improperly modify a steering part and take it on the street.
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The most ideal solution would be to contact tiny tim and order a custom new piece made from flaming river u joints.


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[russ in va]

No unfortunately I did not get any progress pics and once installed it's hard to see (obscured by everything else in the engine compartment). You can see the part he shortened here though: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=32&fg=30

I think he cut away 3/4 of the sliding adjustment area.

[Bearmw]

Rus do you have a better pic of the work your mechanic did?

[russ in va]

We used E36 tie rods on my car. The e30 ones don't fit the rack and the Z4 ones don't fit the car as I understand it.

[mulletman]

Pretty cool find dude! CAn you confirm pn on the z4 manual rack, is it 32 11 6 777 506 ? I am curious how it feels, damn.

Realoem confirms this part number to be correct for any non-M Z4 roadster imported to the US.

I'm really considering doing this to my car. It would be nice to eliminate the whole pump/reservoir/lines/pulley assembly.





Hey Wanganstyle: Which tie rod assemblies did you use for this installation?



Thanks for info on a new possible mod!

[Wanganstyle]

My mechanic put the z4 rack in for me. He did not cut and weld the alloy part, he just shortened the sliding section between the two u-joints.

Cool report how it holds up. It has some interesting parts inside the slider we choose to omit; our car is full race only.


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[russ in va]

My mechanic put the z4 rack in for me. He did not cut and weld the alloy part, he just shortened the sliding section between the two u-joints.

[Wanganstyle]

update after 40 hours of racing;

its much noted in comparison to a stock de-powered rack in the SE30 the Z4 steering rack is less strain on the driver. thankfully SE30 races are short