Z3 steering rack swap

[bernzpeed]

does it matter what year of the car you take the rack from to install on an e30?
what advantages does it have to swap with a z3?

my steering rack is about to give out and instead of replacing the boot I'm just thinking of swapping it out.

[bzboardz]

have one in my car love it

[bernzpeed]

what's the difference?

[TwoJ's]

Seriously, do some looking around/reading.

[blunttech]

bernz call me 952 473 7278

[bernzpeed]

thanks guys i did.

[bernzpeed]

bernz call me 952 473 7278

tried calling but i guess you are closed. i'll call tomorrow.

[BergerNJ]

subscribed....all I have picked up from searching the rack swap threads is how it turns faster....because the lock to lock is lower....other then that I have no clue why its better...

I have no problem driving my car the way it is...and I do need a rack soon too

[DuMa]

im curious about this too. my passenger side boot is ripped and leaking. any links to the z3 steering rack swap info would be greatly appreciated.

[Mercury[BKM]]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247

BMW E30 -> E36 Steering Rack Swap

This guide was created to explain how to swap an E36, E36 M3, and/or E36 Z3 steering rack into
an E30. I do not consider this to be the only method to accomplish this swap so if you have
any suggestions please post any helpful tips in this thread.

The Parts You Need: - All Prices Quoted from BMAParts.com


Item - - - - - - - - - - BMW Part Number - - - Qty - - -Price

7/16 Bolt 2 Inches Long - - xxxxxxxxxxxx - - - - -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 - - - - - - - - xxxxxxxxxxx - - - - - -x1 - - -$2.50
Tacos - - - - - - - - - - - - xxxxxxxxxxx - - - - - -x3 - - -$2.75

NOTE: New PS Hoses and PS Res. are not require except the E36 HP PS hose but it is suggested that you replace them for the sake of preventative maintenance.

Steering Racks

92-98 E36 3.2 Turn to Lock Ratio Rack - Ebay - Tom's FAP - $125.00

92-98 E36 3.2 Turn to Lock Ratio Rack - Maval Rebuilt - $270.13

95 E36 M3 3.0 Turn to Lock Ratio Rack - Maval Rebuilt - $270.13

95-97 E36 Z3 1.9L 2.7 Turn to Lock Ratio Rack - Maval Rebuilt - $317.59

All Steering Racks Purchased from BMA have a $150 Core Charge.

Total Cost = $256.57 - $449.16


The Tools You Need:

3/8 Ratchet
1/2 Ratchet
3/8 Sockets = 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 22mm
1/2 Sockets = 17mm, 19mm, 22mm
Open End Wrenches = 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm
Hammer & Wooden Block
Vice Grips
Flat Head Screw Driver
Table Vice
Tape Measure
Hydraulic Jack & 2 Jack Stands
Dremel w/ Sanding and Cutting Bits

Getting the Job Done

Step 1: Jack up the vehicle and set it on jack stands

Step 2: Remove both front wheels from the car

Step 3: Turn your steering wheel all the way to each side and remove the tie rod ends from the strut

NOTE: Use a small jack to raise the strut up on the control arm ball joint and then use a block of wood and a hammer to knock the tie rock end down and out of the strut. See Picture Below.



Step 4: Remove the old tie rod boots using a flat head screw driver to pry the boot clamps loose



NOTE: This is what a rack will look like when it finally takes a shit



Step 5: Bend the tie rod locking plates off of the inner tie rod



Step 6: Remove the inner tie rods from the steering rack using the vice grips.



Step 7: Drain the power steering fluid from the PS reservoir.

Step 8: Disconnect all power steering hoses from the PS pump and the steering rack.

x2 19mm Banjo Bolts & x2 22mm Banjo Bolts

NOTE: KEEP ALL BANJO BOLTS REMOVED FROM THE STEERING RACK AND THE PS PUMP!





Step 9: Remove the PS Reservoir by loosening the 13mm bolt shown below. Then remove the low pressure lines and save the hose ends for the new low pressure hoses.

Removing the PS Res. with the bracket makes it easier to remove and loosen the 10mm bolt that clamps it in place



Step 10: Loosen the 13mm bolts that hold the steering knuckle in place.





Step 11: Unbolt steering rack from the subframe by looseing the 15mm bolts holding it in place.



Step 12: Carefully bend back the lower tabs on the subframe that support the bottom part of the steering rack.



Step 13: Drop the old steering rack from the steering knuckle.



Step 14: Remove the steering knuckle from the steering column spline.

NOTE: Using a flat head screw driver helps to open the knuckle at the spline to make it drop. See Picture Below.



Step 15: Eat some tacos and drink some beer



Step 16: Using a Dremel - Grind down the rivets that hold the steering knuckle together and pop them out to seperate the two pieces.





Step 17: Using a Dremel w/ cutting blade - Cut the aluminum spacer in half.



Step 18: Use the 7/16 - 2 Inch Bolts & Spacer Halves to shorten the length of the steering knucle. Make sure to put Loctite on the bolt threads to make sure the knuckle does not come apart.

NOTE:Use washers to make both sides even it needed.



Step 19: Tighten the bolts together and test the knuckle for any play. This is what the finished product should resemble.



Step 20: Tap the knuckle onto the steering column spline and tighten the 13mm bolt to secure it.

Step 21: Use a wrench to try and make the rack as even as possible. Use a tape measure to ensure both sides of the rack are even.



Step 22: Line the steering wheel up straight and lock it in place. Slowly push the new rack onto the bottom of the knuckle. Once in place tighten the 13mm bolt to secure it.

NOTE: This step may take some time. Be patient and rock the rack while pushing. This is somewhat like stabbing transmission back onto an engine. Here is a picture of the finished product.



Step 23: Tap the lower tabs on the subframe to bend them back into place.

Step 24: Line the holes up on the steering rack with the holes in the subframe. Place your short spacers and bolt the rack into place.



Step 25: Unlock the steering wheel and turn it to check for any binding.

NOTE:If there is some slight binding in the knuckle use a Dremel with a grinding bit to grind out some of the joint. Keep checking the wheel until there is not sign of binding in the steering wheel.



Step 26: Using your hands, bend the high pressure PS line to make it match up with the new steering rack then temporarily bolt it in place.

NOTE: The line to the rack requires very little bending to match up with the rack.

Step 27: Take notes of what bends are needed to match the hose up with the PS Pump. Use a vice or pipe bender to make the appropriate bends.

NOTE: This will take a few trys. Be sure not to bend the metal line at too much of an angle if using a bench vice or you could damage it.

Step 28: Place your new copper crush on the appropriate banjo bolts and bolt down the high pressure PS hose to the rack and PS pump.



Step 29: Install the low pressure hose ends in the new hoses and clamp them in place. Then attach them to the new PS reserviour.



Step 30: Install the new PS reserviour into the engine bay.



Step 31: Bolt up the new low pressure PS hoses to the steering rack and PS pump.



Step 32: Fill the PS reserviour with ATF. Start the car and turn the wheel to both sides a few times to circulate the new fluid. Check for leakage and add more fluid when needed.

Step 33: Reinstall the tie rod ends

Step 34: Bolt your wheels back on, lower the car off the jack stands, and take for a test drive.

[e30shmobberr]

there is a sticky on it i believe. USE THE SEARCH BAR!!!

[bernzpeed]

I found this on e30tech, also there is an upgrade kit that you can buy for it. there is an ad at the top right after the menu options.