e36 rack swap - stiff rack?

[mr ilia]

I just did e36 rack swap with new e30 ball joints.

Now, the steering wheel does not wan to return back to the centre position after the turn, I have to turn it back to make car go straight again.

It feels like the rack is stiff. Is there a way to adjust it?
The length of the spacer in the knuckle is about 3/4in, may be a little more.

What gives?

I did not have this problem prior the rack swap, also I did fresh alignment and bled the system by turning lock to lock several times.

[mr ilia]

Update, i lifted up the car and tried steering wheels by had and it feels almost impossible to do...the car is running, so
i get power steering assist, but wheels are not easy if at all possible to turn left or right.
While driving the steering feels light and nice, except it is not centering after i finish turning.

Could it be possible the tie rods are new and stiff can cause this happening?

[!kid]

re check your lines, you put all lines it the correct location right?

[mr ilia]

I checked again. The lines are correct, since bolt size is different, you cent really mix them. Also, hoses are not bend or anything.

[mr ilia]

I drained power steering fluid. The issue persists. Looks like the steering rack is too tight. I noticed there is a nut there for adjustments, but I cant get it moving.
Any ideas or dyi as how to do the lash adjustment?

[mr ilia]

I dropped the steering rack again. I used 17mm socket to turn the adjustment knob about 1 full turn counter clock wise. It made bid difference and the rack has freed up and it feels way better now....ok, .....off to put it back together. it should fix my issue.

[craiggroves91]

I dropped the steering rack again. I used 17mm socket to turn the adjustment knob about 1 full turn counter clock wise. It made bid difference and the rack has freed up and it feels way better now....ok, .....off to put it back together. it should fix my issue.

Hope that fixes it. It's definitely an issue with the rack or something binding up, because even cars without PS don't have the issue of the steering wheel not returning to center.

GL!

[mr ilia]

Resolved!
adjusted by turning the bolt on the rack by about one full turn. Put it back together and it feels great. Thanks guys!

[!kid]

Resolved!
adjusted by turning the bolt on the rack by about one full turn. Put it back together and it feels great. Thanks guys!

make sure its not turned out to much, you could have to much play in the rack and the seal will fail and leak fluid into the rack and pinion. only grease is in that spot.
did you turn it till it stops, than back it off 1 full turn? strange that it got tight on you.

I have pictures of the inside of an e36 steering rack if you want me to post them up.