Steering Rack Swap Questions

[Gods_Son]

I got a 1998 328i steering rack today to replace my leaky rack on there now. This rack came with the knuckle, guibo and tie rods

Few Questions,

1- What parts from the E36 rack can/should I keep as far as compatibility? (eg; guibo, knuckle, spline, inner and outer tie rods)

2- What parts aside from these will need to complete the swap?

7/16 Bolt 2 Inches Long - - xxxxxxxxxxx - - - - -x2 - - -$???
Bolt M10x50 - - - - - - - - - 26111226737 - - - - x2 - - -$2.70
Self Locking Nuts - - - - - - 07129964672 - - - - x2 - - -$0.60
Copper Seals 14x20 - - - - -32411093596 - - - - -x4 - - -$0.68
Copper Seals 16x22 - - - - -32411093597 - - - - -x4 - - -$1.04
Self Locking Nuts - - - - - - 07129922716 - - - - -x4 - - $1.20
Power Steering Res. - - - - -32411097164 - - - - x1 - - -$19.50
High Pres. PS Hose - - - - - 32411141953 - - - - -x1 - - -$74.00
Spacer - - - - - - - - - - - -72118119268 - - - - -x1 - - -$2.05
Spacer - - - - - - - - - - - -72111847480 - - - - -x2 - - -$1.92
Nut - - - - - - - - - - - - - -72111977925 - - - - -x2 - - -$1.10
LP PS Return Hoses - - - - - xxxxxxxxxxx - - - - - x2 - - -$14.50
Bottle of ATF - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x1 - - -$2.50

3- Will I also need tie rod lock plates in case the e36 rods do not work out?

4- Can I use the existing HP PS hose somehow to save the $75?

5- Is there anything else I should check for replacement while down there? (eg; guibo, mounts etc...)

6- How long does the procedure take in total approximate hours?


Picture of e36 rack that I picked up:

[Gods_Son]

Ok maybe this will garner some assistance,

I've decided to keep my reservoir, hoses (they are new) and am going to do a guibo delete according to post 660 of this thread and I have the hardware from that post, so that should take care of the knuckle modifications.

I am going to swap my my e30 inner/outer tie rods into the e36 rack too.

So AFAIK these will be the needed parts I need some help with:

1)Tie Rod locking plates x 2 (have obtained already)
2)copper seals x ??? (size and quantity unknown)
3)bolts to mount rack (size and quantity unknown)
4)washers to use as spacers mounting the rack (size quantity unknown)
5)lock nuts (sizes and quantities unknown)

If someone can give me a hand with sizes and quantities for parts 2-5 that would be great...also anywhere else I can source the copper seals from as my local BMW dealer wants $3.50 per, which is too much

[Gods_Son]

Can someone at least tell me the outside diameter of the washers being used for spacers? I was told the inner diameter is 8mm, I don't know what outer diameter to use though...I just do not want to start this project and then have to go get more hardware in the middle of it

[acolella76]

Wow, r3v really left you hanging.

2) The crush washers (copper seals) are 16x22 and 14x20.
3) M10x50, but any similar size will do
4) Same size washer as the bolts that you buy, buy a bunch and stack them.
5) Same size as the bolt that you buy

[uturn]

You'll need new boot clamps if you're not careful taking your old ones off.

[cgk_iii]

Zip ties for the boot clamps.. I literally just did a z3 rack in my e30 yesterday. Really simple just requires spacers between the subframe and the rack. You can get spacers from e30tech they sell spacers for the knuckle and subframe.. Make sure to put some lube on the splines so that knuckle can slide on like butta. Use some blue thread locker to keep bolts and nuts secure.and if your e30 has/had airbag then you'll need to modify the firewall Good luck!

[Gods_Son]

Wow, r3v really left you hanging.

2) The crush washers (copper seals) are 16x22 and 14x20.
3) M10x50, but any similar size will do
4) Same size washer as the bolts that you buy, buy a bunch and stack them.
5) Same size as the bolt that you buy

Wow big help, thanks!

Just a question about the crush washers, I'm assuming they are for the banjo bolts that attach to the steering rack, that would only equal 4 then correct, and not the 8 listed in the OP? And all 4 are 16x22? or 14x20? My local BMW dealer wants $3.50 per washer....times 8 plus tax thats $30 for just washers, so I don't want to buy more than I need

You'll need new boot clamps if you're not careful taking your old ones off.

Zip ties for the boot clamps.. I literally just did a z3 rack in my e30 yesterday. Really simple just requires spacers between the subframe and the rack. You can get spacers from e30tech they sell spacers for the knuckle and subframe.. Make sure to put some lube on the splines so that knuckle can slide on like butta. Use some blue thread locker to keep bolts and nuts secure.and if your e30 has/had airbag then you'll need to modify the firewall Good luck!

Thread locker, forgot that, wicked thanks!


Thanks for the responses fellas!!! :)

[jeffnhiscars]

the crush washer are indeed for the banjos and you will need 2 of each size. IME the dealer only seller the aluminum ones and I prefer copper for any crush washer since its softer than alu so seals better. Shipping complicates it if you just need the washers but autohausaz.com sells them for about $.50 each.

[Gods_Son]

Perfect, thanks!