E36 Steering Rack in Airbag '91 318i?? Details...

[318idol]

I know this swap has been covered, but never with details for 1991 318i/is M42 powered cars:

I've seen the R3V Limited detailed how-to on swapping in an E36 steering rack into NON AIRBAG CARS. But what about our air-bag 318i and 318is? I understand you need to modify the firewall plate. No problem. But I haven't seen definitive answers about what modifications, if any, are required of the steering column knuckle connector. What about hoses? Does anyone have hands-on experience with this swap in a US model, 1991 318?

If I get enough detail, I'll do a How-To for the site.

I may need a steering rack and would like to install the quicker 1995 E36 M3 rack.

HELP! Thanks. Gary

[atomic]

There is a thread for e36 rack swaps into a airbag car on here as well, just search for it further.

The firewall plate WILL have to be modified (I even posted a drawn picture of what is needed to be done somewhere here, now posted below as well). The knuckle will need NO modification. You will have to adjust the inner knuckle under the dash so that you can get the proper angle so that all you will have to modify is the firewall plate and not have to touch the firewall itself at all. The e30 hoses can be reused with some bending to get them to line up, just use new crush washers.

[318idol]

Explain to me adjusting the inner knuckle under the dash??? I thought the column went directly into the steering rack knuckle. I know there is a big nut on the column under the dash and tightens the collapsable, telescoping column shaft. (This nut can loosen causing the column to rattle over bumps.

Could I call you? gtmedley@gmail.com.

ps: The local alternative weekly news paper used the same style illustration as your Obama image, but substituted a photo of Palin...with the word NOPE. DOPE would have been appropriate as well. :) Hey, I'm from Oregon. What can I say? :)

Thanks for your help.

[atomic]

Steering rack swap for airbag cars...



That big nut is what I am talking about. If you loosen it you will be able to adjust the column up or down so you can get a better angle. That way you will only have to modify the removable plate in the firewall and not have to touch the firewall itself. It is actually alot easier in a airbag car than a non airbag car.

We can keep the info to the forum so others can view if they ever need to in the future.

[LovableSheep]

Yep, it can be done. I've done it in my car.

Here's the thread about the swap in general. It's a long thread, but there's useful information for both the airbag and non-airbag swap.

But it's pretty much what atomic said. You will have to modify the firewall plate and loosen the big nut under the dash to get everything to line up, but no messing with the knuckle. You can use the E30 lines with a little bending of the high-pressure line.

[318idol]

Thanks, guys... What rack did you use? '95 M3?

Did you ever read the "budget Bimmer" article in EuroTuner and later Roundel, a 1989 325is with a collection of tasteful mod that really worked? That was me. I wrote that article, and one on a 1994 325is e36 later. I should have kept the '89. I now have a very nice 318 4-door e30, 1991. Great car!

Thanks again. Gary

[318idol]

I noticed that some of the write ups refer to spacers atop the rack? Is this because the e36 rack mounting bosses are narrower or are they to shim/adjust the height of the rack?

Sorry for all the questions, but I need to know all the details and have them clear in my brain before I start ripping stuff apart. :)

Thanks

[twistednut]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=69536

I'm sorry but you do have to modify the firewall like what is shown on the last picture of this thread. And make a new plate. I guess that is if you want the boot to fit properly and not bind. I did this just a few weeks ago. And yes you do need to shim the e36 rack. I believe I used five 3/8ths washers and superglued them together so they wouldn't fall apart while I was trying to push the bolt through. Be prepared to spend some time fucking with the hoses. Get a big bolt at least 4 to 6 inches long so you can stick it through the banjo fitting and torque it so it will match up with the new rack. Be careful no to mar the surface of the banjo fitting.
Once you get everything hooked up fill the reservoir with atf and turn the rack several times lock to lock to get the fluid into the rack and get all the air out. One trick I learned was to disconnect the ps belt and hand turn the pump while someone else is turning the steering wheel lock to lock. This almost insures that you will get all of the air out of the system and you wont blow any seals.

[FredK]

AKG Motorsport will sell E36 rack shims for the E30 separately for $15. Sure it's a bit of cash for simple machined pieces of aluminum, but eh, better than scrounging around for 6 head bolt washers in the garage. :mrgreen:

Part number is: RPSPC