Attn: Any body in germany I need a favor

[Mot]

either Maraka or Mike, I need to get ahold of a 323i steering linkage and I think my best chance is getting one from you guys in germany, seeing how there are like 10 323i in the country.

Thanks

Tom

[marakka]

It has to be a 323i? Why not any other manual rack linkage?

[Mot]

its not a manual rack, the european rack has a differnt angle at which the spline comes out of the rack. I have a 323i rack, hence the reason I would like to get the matching 323i linkage, as all USA spec ones are not flexible enough at the bottom end to seat properly onto the bottom spline, Causing binding and the inability to safely attach it.

[MR 325]

Seems to me that ditching the 323 rack would be a better idea Tom

[marakka]

Ok.... you are looking for a power 323i linkage? Am I correct in this? If so.... I've never seen one here. Mike might know more than me..... but you've lost me on this one.

[Mtriple]

Which US car had a manual rack? I was under the impression that my manual rack was "euro". I got the part number for the linkage off the ETK and ordered it from the $tealer. It was like $100 if I recall...

[Mot]

I have a euro Power 323 rack, From a grey market 323i.

And Matt it looks like your right. I think Im just gonna have to get ahold of a 318 steering rack, and just sell the 323 rack without any tie rods, since the ones on there are brand spanking new, hence why I was trying to be lazy and avoid swapping them...

[mikeedler]

from my experiences with steering racks-- quite a few E30s. Is that you are just using the wrong linkage. the power rack, and manual rack, do have different linkages, but as far as different models go, never heard of or seen a diff. You just need a manual rack linkage!

[Digitalwave]

from my experiences with steering racks-- quite a few E30s. Is that you are just using the wrong linkage. the power rack, and manual rack, do have different linkages, but as far as different models go, never heard of or seen a diff. You just need a manual rack linkage!

Why would he need manual linkage with a power rack?

[Mot]

Ya, I can will bet $1000 that I have a power rack, and I had a BMW Master Tech, who was a BMW mechanic AT bmw when e30s were new, test both a us spec 318 and 325 linkage, where as my euro 323i linkage worked on the rack, before i sold the linkage to Derek, Because every one told me they were all the same.

Now, back on point. Im just gonna swap racks with a spare James has or something, because Im too cheap to pay 30 british pounds plus shipping for a steering linkage ( yes I know thats not even a bad price, Im flat broke, ask james I owe him $$$$).

Thanks for all the suggestions and quick responses, that much is appreciated.

[marakka]

So to kick a dead horse..... Why did you put a 323 euro power rack in over a stateside power rack?

[Digitalwave]

So to kick a dead horse..... Why did you put a 323 euro power rack in over a stateside power rack?

Because his car is a euro 323!

[marakka]

Ok.... then why does he not have a steering linkage? He sold it.... why the hell would he sell it? You kinda need that to drive?????