Corsa Steering Linkage

Overview

A very popular modification to the E30 Steering is the fitting of a faster rack to give quicker response and fewer turns lock-to-lock. They're quick to install and usually bolt right up to the existing system, but with one snag; the steering linkage usually needs some modification to mate the wheel up to the new rack's connections.

With a bit of playing around, it's been discovered that the steering linkage from the humble Opel Corsa C is an excellent alternative which, with a little bit of time with a hammer and punch, can be turned into a solid and efficient steering linkage for your faster rack. Here's how.

I have fitted an E36 rack in my car with modified link between the column and rack. It's fine on the road but on track days the exhaust manifold can come into cantact with the lower UJ and you feel the vibration through the wheel. This modification gives extra clearance between the steering link and exhaust manifold.

Procedure

Here's the old set up for reference. As you can see, it's pretty ropey and certainly not a BMW-quality solution.

I bought a Corsa C link and separated the top universal joint, keeping the bearings and rollers.

Then swapped the top piece of the E30 link back onto the Corsa link. I reused the bearings saved from earlier and re-staked them into the aluminium with a punch.

With the car on axle stands and the plastic cover panel below the engine removed I was able to pull the steering rack forward enough to free the old link and swap the hybrid Corsa/E30 into place.

The rack needs a little grinding to allow the pinch bolt through the lower clamp, the top piece is E30 so pushes straight on.

The lower clamp also needs a bit of work with a round file to get it to slide over the splines on the rack - there is one thick master spline that needs removing but it is fairly easy to file it away.

And with that, you're done! For adjustment, the groove in the splines allow the M8 pinch bolt to pass through, which limits how far it slides on.

Original article and photos by DHFiS