got the ix tie rods
so, the good news - the total length of the E30 ix and E46 xi racks (tie rod end to tie rod end) is basically the same, about 55".
the E30 tie rods will mount to the E46 rack. however, they are too long. it may be possible to shorten them but I don't know if it will be enough. also, I don't think the lock plates for the E30 will work, and I don't know how the E46 tie rods lock to the steering rack (there's no locking pin or plate that I can see).
the E46 tie rods would work but the pin that fits into the strut housing is too large. Possible solutions? turn it down? drill out the hole in the E30 strut? swap ball joints? find a similar tie rod end with the smaller ball joint? Maybe from the E36?
I also checked the steering ratios and total travel, approximately. the E30 rack moves 1.5" for each revolution and has 5.5" of total travel. the E46 rack moves 2" for each revolution (from center), and has 7" of total travel. I don't know if the E46 rack is progressive or not, but it's definitely a step up.
so, the good news - the total length of the E30 ix and E46 xi racks (tie rod end to tie rod end) is basically the same, about 55".
the E30 tie rods will mount to the E46 rack. however, they are too long. it may be possible to shorten them but I don't know if it will be enough. also, I don't think the lock plates for the E30 will work, and I don't know how the E46 tie rods lock to the steering rack (there's no locking pin or plate that I can see).
the E46 tie rods would work but the pin that fits into the strut housing is too large. Possible solutions? turn it down? drill out the hole in the E30 strut? swap ball joints? find a similar tie rod end with the smaller ball joint? Maybe from the E36?
I also checked the steering ratios and total travel, approximately. the E30 rack moves 1.5" for each revolution and has 5.5" of total travel. the E46 rack moves 2" for each revolution (from center), and has 7" of total travel. I don't know if the E46 rack is progressive or not, but it's definitely a step up.
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