Steering rack options

[Avus_325is]

I was wondering what the options are for a new steering rack. Mine is starting to go and I was interested in something with a smaller ratio. My buddy offered to give me his e36 328 steering rack, just wondering if this would work. I figure it would since e36 M3 racks seem to be pretty popular.

[Jon '92 325ic]

If by "starting to go" you mean...

If by "starting to go" you mean leaking at the boots, I'd try using Valvoline Stop Leak Tranmission Fluid. I did when mine started leaking and after a couple of days of adding the stuff, the leaking stopped. Eventually I purchased a stock rebuilt one from Meridian Auto Parts. I think it was $250 or $275 with a lifetime warranty.

I don't have any experience putting in racks from other BMW models.

[MattM20]

i dont know what the deal is with the 96+ 3series steering racks. i've never seen anyone attempt to put one on a e30, where as the earlier e36 racks are pretty popular. i on the other hand have a late model Z3 rack in my car and it installed fine with the zionsville modified coupler.

[Addissimo]

I'm installing a Z3 2.8 rack on my car... I'm stting here looking at it, wish I had an engine. www.e30zone.co.uk has a nice write up on how to modify you're own coupler if you dont want to pay zionsville $570 for the quicker ratio setup. I got everything off www.car-part.com for $295 8) If you don't have access to some sort of fab shop, I'd just go through zionsville though.

[SpencerM3]

i dont know what the deal is with the 96+ 3series steering racks. i've never seen anyone attempt to put one on a e30, where as the earlier e36 racks are pretty popular. i on the other hand have a late model Z3 rack in my car and it installed fine with the zionsville modified coupler.

Did you buy the rack and coupler from Zionsville or did they sell you the coupler separate?? I heard that they wont sell the coupler if you dont buy a rack as well.

What are you impressions compared to the stock E30 rack?

I've got a Z3 rack that was going to go into my E36 M3, but I might just throw it in the E30, since it needs a quicker ratio much more than the M3.

[MattM20]

i dont know what the deal is with the 96+ 3series steering racks. i've never seen anyone attempt to put one on a e30, where as the earlier e36 racks are pretty popular. i on the other hand have a late model Z3 rack in my car and it installed fine with the zionsville modified coupler.

Did you buy the rack and coupler from Zionsville or did they sell you the coupler separate?? I heard that they wont sell the coupler if you dont buy a rack as well.

What are you impressions compared to the stock E30 rack?

I've got a Z3 rack that was going to go into my E36 M3, but I might just throw it in the E30, since it needs a quicker ratio much more than the M3.

I tried getting them to sell me me just the conversion pieces since I wouldve rather had a rebuilt rack, but they dont do that. The coupler that zionsville sells is also a modified e30 coupler and cost around $30 to build with new parts including the rubber articulated disc (which i think is $17 by itself). the reasons I didnt make the coupler myself was that i was short on time and i dont think the dremel couldve handled it. Basically all you really have to do is round some corners and put in new bolts to make the stock coupler work.

The Z3 steering rack makes the car feel completely different. It tightens up the steering more than a e46, and the 2.7 turns lock to lock is a perfect street setup. It's even more stable at high speeds than the stock rack and the steering response is greatly improved over a stock e30. Now that I look back on all the things ive done to my car in last 2 years, i feel that the z3 steering rack and the 25mm brake mc are the two most worthwhile mods you can do to a e30.

[Addissimo]

what tie rods do you use? e36 or e30? What kind of stuff do you round off to make the stock coupler work? Seems like it would be easier to do that than to do the hybrid thing.

Thanks

[bmwm3n528]

Why not just get ahold of an e30/e36 M3 rack, will be much more sensitive than a normal e36 rack.

[SpencerM3]

Why not just get ahold of an e30/e36 M3 rack, will be much more sensitive than a normal e36 rack.

Non-M Z3 rack is the way to go. Similar to the 95 M3 rack (quickest E36 rack) but with a linear ratio instead of variable. Basically it gives a quicker off center ratio than the 95 M3 rack.

[MattM20]

what tie rods do you use? e36 or e30? What kind of stuff do you round off to make the stock coupler work? Seems like it would be easier to do that than to do the hybrid thing.

Thanks

i just used my existing e30 tie rods since they were in good shape, but i'll be putting in e36 tie rods down the road. i can email or try to post some pics of the coupler if you want me to so you can see the modifications zionsville made.

[SpencerM3]

what tie rods do you use? e36 or e30? What kind of stuff do you round off to make the stock coupler work? Seems like it would be easier to do that than to do the hybrid thing.

Thanks

i just used my existing e30 tie rods since they were in good shape, but i'll be putting in e36 tie rods down the road. i can email or try to post some pics of the coupler if you want me to so you can see the modifications zionsville made.

I would DEFINETLY like to see those pics if you get a chance to post them.

Thanks! 8)

[Addissimo]

what tie rods do you use? e36 or e30? What kind of stuff do you round off to make the stock coupler work? Seems like it would be easier to do that than to do the hybrid thing.

Thanks

i just used my existing e30 tie rods since they were in good shape, but i'll be putting in e36 tie rods down the road. i can email or try to post some pics of the coupler if you want me to so you can see the modifications zionsville made.

I would DEFINETLY like to see those pics if you get a chance to post them.

Thanks! 8)

Word

[MattM20]

what tie rods do you use? e36 or e30? What kind of stuff do you round off to make the stock coupler work? Seems like it would be easier to do that than to do the hybrid thing.

Thanks

i just used my existing e30 tie rods since they were in good shape, but i'll be putting in e36 tie rods down the road. i can email or try to post some pics of the coupler if you want me to so you can see the modifications zionsville made.

I would DEFINETLY like to see those pics if you get a chance to post them.

Thanks! 8)

i could email them to, and if you have space to host the pics i wouldnt mind if you posted them.

[Rob]

i'll host them matt, robmaybach@hotmail.com

[SpencerM3]

Thanks Rob.

If you can't, I can host them as well, spencerbunting@hotmail.com