Help with 1.9 Z3 rack swap

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  • shameson
    E30 Mastermind
    • Jun 2012
    • 1507

    #1

    Help with 1.9 Z3 rack swap

    I'm thinking of swapping my leeking stock power steering rack for 1.9 Z3 rack. What is needed/needed to be done for it to fit correctly? Hopefully someone knows
    '84 Alpine 325e (Gone)
    '91 Alpine 318i (Gone) Click Here
    '92 Alpine 325i Cabrio (Gone) Click Here
    '91 Alpine 318is
  • e30austin
    I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
    • Sep 2010
    • 15382

    #2
    Use the search tool, homie.



    Comment

    • nny403
      E30 Addict
      • Nov 2011
      • 426

      #3
      I would recommend E30Tech's Kit that they sell for the rack swap it made swapping it infinitely easier when I did one at the shop. They aren't expensive and if your doing it on the ground it tends to be a lot nicer to have correct fitting parts lined up.

      Free advice, borrow or buy an engine hoist and loosen the motor mounts this will make your job far far easier.

      Picture taken from E30 Tech Website. Used because I want to. $27.95 do it....



      Last edited by nny403; 07-30-2012, 09:57 PM. Reason: Add Link
      Anti sigpic Stance

      Comment

      • shameson
        E30 Mastermind
        • Jun 2012
        • 1507

        #4
        [QUOTE=Austin!;3291444]Use the search tool, homie.

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

        Been there, done that.
        '84 Alpine 325e (Gone)
        '91 Alpine 318i (Gone) Click Here
        '92 Alpine 325i Cabrio (Gone) Click Here
        '91 Alpine 318is

        Comment

        • shameson
          E30 Mastermind
          • Jun 2012
          • 1507

          #5
          Originally posted by nny403
          I would recommend E30Tech's Kit that they sell for the rack swap it made swapping it infinitely easier when I did one at the shop. They aren't expensive and if your doing it on the ground it tends to be a lot nicer to have correct fitting parts lined up.

          Free advice, borrow or buy an engine hoist and loosen the motor mounts this will make your job far far easier.

          Picture taken from E30 Tech Website. Used because I want to. $27.95 do it....



          http://www.e30tech.com/
          Forgive my noobiness if it applies, but isn't that if you use an E36 rack? Or does that work for the Z3 rack as well?
          '84 Alpine 325e (Gone)
          '91 Alpine 318i (Gone) Click Here
          '92 Alpine 325i Cabrio (Gone) Click Here
          '91 Alpine 318is

          Comment

          • nny403
            E30 Addict
            • Nov 2011
            • 426

            #6
            Originally posted by shameson
            Forgive my noobiness if it applies, but isn't that if you use an E36 rack? Or does that work for the Z3 rack as well?

            Rack is same, turns to lock is different. Choose wisely. Make sure you are buying to be useful.
            Anti sigpic Stance

            Comment

            • 10Toes
              Me Father Was A Tree
              • Jan 2008
              • 61222

              #7
              Don't buy that kit from E30tech, I would get it from AKG or someone else.

              And it's only $20
              The ORIGINAL e30 M5x/S5x 24V swap motor mounts! Our mounts incorporate the correct angle and stud location for proper engine seating. Made in USA.

              Comment

              • BraveUlysses
                No R3VLimiter
                • Jun 2007
                • 3781

                #8
                Or just use a stack of washers and whatever bolt and nuts you can find at lowes.

                Comment

                • JinormusJ
                  R3V OG
                  • Dec 2011
                  • 6887

                  #9
                  ^^^
                  That's ghetto lol

                  But I guess it works; Good info here.. Bookmarked cause this is an upgrade I want to do eventually

                  Comment

                  • BBDirtbiking
                    Grease Monkey
                    • Apr 2012
                    • 323

                    #10
                    For a Non Airbag car just use a half inch spacer on each side where it mounts, easy as that.

                    For an Airbag car you need to put a quarter inch spacer top and bottom as well as grind the firewall where the steering rack comes through. Grind it down and towards passenger side. Still super easy swap! Hardest part is getting the tie rods off the knuckles, PITA.
                    "Bayerische Motoren Werke - freude am fahren."

                    Brandon {Current: 1991 318iS, 2007 328i, 2014 X5 xDrive35d | Past: 1992 525i, 1997 528i, 1999 540i}

                    Comment

                    • 10Toes
                      Me Father Was A Tree
                      • Jan 2008
                      • 61222

                      #11
                      http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

                      Comment

                      • BBDirtbiking
                        Grease Monkey
                        • Apr 2012
                        • 323

                        #12
                        Or a hammer and a punch...
                        "Bayerische Motoren Werke - freude am fahren."

                        Brandon {Current: 1991 318iS, 2007 328i, 2014 X5 xDrive35d | Past: 1992 525i, 1997 528i, 1999 540i}

                        Comment

                        • kumulonimbus
                          Advanced Member
                          • May 2012
                          • 178

                          #13
                          I'm also going to attempt this swap. Are the parts below all that are needed (besides the steering rack of course)? RobertK's writeup seems to require a lot more parts than what I see in the picture.

                          Originally posted by nny403
                          I would recommend E30Tech's Kit that they sell for the rack swap it made swapping it infinitely easier when I did one at the shop. They aren't expensive and if your doing it on the ground it tends to be a lot nicer to have correct fitting parts lined up.

                          Free advice, borrow or buy an engine hoist and loosen the motor mounts this will make your job far far easier.

                          Picture taken from E30 Tech Website. Used because I want to. $27.95 do it....



                          http://www.e30tech.com/
                          1990 BMW 325i Coupe

                          Comment

                          • shameson
                            E30 Mastermind
                            • Jun 2012
                            • 1507

                            #14
                            It's a non airbag. Seems like a simple install.

                            I like the random washer idea, seems reliable..
                            '84 Alpine 325e (Gone)
                            '91 Alpine 318i (Gone) Click Here
                            '92 Alpine 325i Cabrio (Gone) Click Here
                            '91 Alpine 318is

                            Comment

                            • JJe30
                              R3VLimited
                              • May 2006
                              • 2044

                              #15
                              Good info as I need to do this to my leaking rack as well.
                              sigpic

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