clearance issues with z3 rack

[fishingtourer]

having moved onto my steering now on my touring, in the recent past it has had a z3 rack fitted. the problem being on lock the osf wheel rubs on the anti roll bar and just generally is not right, im guessing it may have the incorect tie rods fitted, as there is no way it will adjust out, not having fitted it i have no idea what parts have been used, it does have a h@r roll bar also fitted, really need to sort this issue out if anybody could shed some light i would be most grateful

[fishingtourer]

i have searched the forum and can only find info on fitting e36/e46 racks
is there a correct tie rod set up for this conversion ? anybody ?

[penton08]

if you mean track rod ends, then afaik only z3 track rod ends fit on the z3 rack so that shouldn't be your problem. possibly sounds like your steering rack might not of been set to the center properly.

[StuBeeDoo]

The way I'm reading your OP, it seems that the rack has been set-up off-centre. If there's a problem one way, it should also be evident the other way.
Get the steering dead straight and put a bit tape on the top of the steering wheel. Then turn the wheel fully one way, counting the number of turns. If you've got any Z3 rack (other than the Z3M one) it should go as near as makes no odds one and one third turns. Now centralise the steering again so that your tape is back at the top and do the same excercise in the opposite direction. The steering wheel should turn the same number of turns as before.
OK, so in the real world it's very difficult to get it 100% exact, but you want it as close as you can get.
My guess is that you've got more to the right than the left.
To correct it you need to adjust both track rod ends, but obviously you'll have to reset the tracking, having disturbed them.

[fishingtourer]

i will have another look at it tomorow but im sure thats not the problem tbh, maybe the subframe is bent not a good outlook if it is tbh

[StuBeeDoo]

maybe the subframe is bent not a good outlook if it is

Something bent/out of alignment chassis-wise is a possibility, but IMHO it's the worse-case scenario.

Hope you get it sorted. There are plenty of people using Z3 racks with no problems. FWIW, though, when I fitted my E36 rack (which as you know is essentially the same, other than the ratio) I used E30 track rod ends and I plan to do the same when I get a Z3 rack.

[penton08]

when I fitted my E36 rack (which as you know is essentially the same, other than the ratio) I used E30 track rod ends and I plan to do the same when I get a Z3 rack.[/b]

afaik e30/36 racks uses "male" track rod ends and the z3 rack uses "female" track rod ends, so e30/36 ones wont fit on the z3 rack.

[StuBeeDoo]

when I fitted my E36 rack (which as you know is essentially the same, other than the ratio) I used E30 track rod ends and I plan to do the same when I get a Z3 rack.

afaik e30/36 racks uses "male" track rod ends and the z3 rack uses "female" track rod ends, so e30/36 ones wont fit on the z3 rack.

I just checked ETK and E36 and Z3 TREs are one and the same.

[penton08]

thats me fooked then been fitting a z3 rack today and e30 track rod ends dont fit!!

[Martinaston]

penton08
You need to take the gaiters off the rack and change the tie rods.

As for the rubbing check the anti roll bar is the same length as the original and centred, if thats ok then it could be the wishbone.

[fishingtourer]

will have a good look over it, maybe the roll bar is incorrect it's a h@r but was already on the car when i got hold of it as was the rack , and maybe the chassis leg is bent, i really hope not as ive just spent to much rebuilding the head with new bits.
have not even started on the rear subframe yet we have a bodyshop at work so maybe they might be able to shed some light if i still dont get anywere, after going over it. thanks lad's much appreciated !!!
the reg is G340XLA if anyone has ever owned or come across it before,
im determined to get it all half decent

[gareth]

I've heard of cars rubbing the larger H&R ARB's before. there is no actual direct means of centring the ARB up, just the bushes clamping it in position. That could also be off centre?

[fishingtourer]

well after a good look today i found that the steering wheel was not centred on the column ,
so sorted that out and the rack is now even either side after making some adjustments to the track rod ends and set it up with some dunlop guages for now , also the roll bar is pushed over to one side which it still is, if i move it central it will rub on both side's,
so i have left it were it is and there is no rubbing now, but i still dont like that roll bar it just looks to wide,i have written the number for the roll bar down and will see if i can desipher anything from that, but for the moment im happy, the other point to mention is that it has tsw fake bbs wheels, so im wondering if they might make some difference ? must get some originals,

[StuBeeDoo]

You can't beat Dunlop guages! All the laser shite is nonsense.

It could be that the offset on the wheels is too great much. Have you got access to a pukka pair of E30 wheels, just to try them?

[fishingtourer]

i have one spare m8ty thats it,you could well be right though, must get a complete set me thinks, i was in the process of getting some new alpinas last year but my cylinder head shit itself, so had to use the funds to sort that issue out, but i think some proper wheels are the way forward, will have to keep my eye open for a decent set, think im gonna stick with bb's though