Front End Overhaul, Input Appreciated!

[EDirty325]

Hey guys (and girls),
I'm getting ready to overhaul the front end on my 89 325is, and I'm just looking for some opinions as to where to go/what to get. Let me start by saying I have done my research on this forum and have seen the threads, but can't find rock solid answers for my application.

When I got my E30 a couple months ago, the rack was shot, fluid had leaked out completely, steering wheel sits 45 degrees off, and something is loose on the front driver's side. First question - get another stock E30 rack, or upgrade? If upgrade, E36 M3, or Z3? I know that the Z3 rack is progressive, and is the better choice for motox etc, but I plan to restore the car, turbo, and have a nice toy car to drive on the weekends. What do you think the best bet is for me? Do I need that progressive steering ratio or is that too intense for just a fun weekend car?

Secondly, I've seen the front end rebuild kits on eBay, are these any good, and if so, what brand? Orrr should I go with OEM parts from Pelican etc.. Any input as appreciated, and let me know if I'm forgetting anything!! I want to do this all at once. Oh, and I plan to get some coilovers down the road, so no need to comment there. Thanks again!

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Front End Overhaul, Input Appreciated!

I'm not sure on the rack as I haven't done mine yet. However for the suspension. Don't use eBay. Get some MOOG ball joints and some oem sway bar end links, control arm bushings and sway bar bushings. Are you going to upgrade the struts and springs? If so I highly recommend bilstein sports and some h&r's sports.


The balljoints are cheapest at pelican parts. You can get it all from pelican, Blunttech etc.

[MoreMayhem]

Can't comment on anything other than a stock steering rack replacement, but myself and other guys here have used rackdoctor.com to source a quality rebuild. Stock replacement has been fine for me. Car is my daily, with frequent canyon runs just for fun.

[EDirty325]

I'm not sure on the rack as I haven't done mine yet. However for the suspension. Don't use eBay. Get some MOOG ball joints and some oem sway bar end links, control arm bushings and sway bar bushings. Are you going to upgrade the struts and springs? If so I highly recommend bilstein sports and some h&r's sports.


The balljoints are cheapest at pelican parts. You can get it all from pelican, Blunttech etc.

Awesome thanks. And no I plan to run coillovers in the near future I'm not going to worry about struts and springs right now. Although I'm still not 100% certain if I want coilovers or struts. I want a "meaty flush" setup so I'm worried struts won't be stiff enough to prevent rubbing.

Can't comment on anything other than a stock steering rack replacement, but myself and other guys here have used rackdoctor.com to source a quality rebuild. Stock replacement has been fine for me. Car is my daily, with frequent canyon runs just for fun.

Yeah I plan to use rackdoctor as well, but I noticed that the E36 M3 rack is only like $20 more on that site, so I want to know if the trouble of installing it is worth the improvements for my application, or if the improvements are that drastic at all.

[rcsoundn1]

I would shy away from ebay, Unless they have a retail store and use quality name brand parts. Are they cheaper on ebay, usually if they are no-name foreign parts. For me, my experiences with ebay stuff, usually the parts are short lived and poor quality. This is your suspension, so you dont want stuff falling out that fast. You are going to put work in to fix it, and prob would prefer to do all that work once as opposed to twice a year.

[EDirty325]

I would shy away from ebay, Unless they have a retail store and use quality name brand parts. Are they cheaper on ebay, usually if they are no-name foreign parts. For me, my experiences with ebay stuff, usually the parts are short lived and poor quality. This is your suspension, so you dont want stuff falling out that fast. You are going to put work in to fix it, and prob would prefer to do all that work once as opposed to twice a year.

I feel the exact same way about eBay products, and trust me, I have had plenty of bad experiences, but I just heard a few people saying that these kits aren't all that bad so I wanted to see what everyone else thought. I would prefer OEM parts myself, but if I can save some cash to put somewhere else in the build I'm all for it. Thanks for the input!