E36 Steering Rack fitting

[rossmc88]

I've been researching this for ages and I'm getting confused with all the combinations of ways I can do this conversion.

I've bought a good condition e36 rack with brand new track rods off ebay for £15 delivered

I'm wanting to fit this to my m20'd car running a standard manifold.

What are the exact dimensions for the spacers I need made up to fit the rack to the car? L x W x H

I'm planning on getting a solid steering linkage from danthe, I've sent him a PM.

So I'm guessing this means I need to fit the rack in the further back mounting holes? With spacers fitted at the top?

What are the solid steering linkages like?
Do they increase vibration?

I got the e36 linkage with the rack, so I'm thinking I could get spacers made up, again I don't have a clue what size, to join it to my e30 linkage, and would buy a new rubber donut. But I might be better off getting a solid linkage if they don't increase vibration too much

Any advice/info would be great,

Thanks
Ross

[e301988325i]

My upgrade rack is mounted solidly, and you couldn't tell in a negative way at all TBH. Everything about this conversion is a plus point.

Have you clicked the E30 WIKI button in white letters at the top? There is a full article in there.

[StuBeeDoo]

FWIW Ross, my E36 rack is fitted in the rear mount holes. The linkage is E30 top UJ, custom spacer/adaptor, E36 rubber "guibo" (and heatshield) and bottom UJ.
HTH
Stuart.

[DHFiS]

From memory the spacers are 14mm thick with a 10mm hole. You can use a stack of washers for a temporary fix to fill the gap but I wouldnt leave it like that.

You can see the spacer in this pic, I used a 7mm spacer above and one below the rack to keep it centrally mounted.

[parkin10]

if buying new track rod ends would we get e30 or e36 for this conversion?

[rossmc88]

Thanks very much for all the replies everyone

[DanThe]

E36 rod ends are the best to use, you cant change them for E30 rod ends without changing the whole track rods which is pointless as the E36 parts fit perfectly

[parkin10]

E36 rod ends are the best to use, you cant change them for E30 rod ends without changing the whole track rods which is pointless as the E36 parts fit perfectly

cheers

[polsta]

keep seeing posts about this, and now ive got round to the quick shift kit, im thinking about this

how much is the cost of all the parts and what ones needed exactly for best results ? and how much labour is involved time wise ? as id have to get someone to fit it

[BadDave]

keep seeing posts about this, and now ive got round to the quick shift kit, im thinking about this

how much is the cost of all the parts and what ones needed exactly for best results ? and how much labour is involved time wise ? as id have to get someone to fit it

Depends on whether your going to manipulate E30 PS pipes to fit the E36 rack or pay to get new pipework made up.

[StuBeeDoo]

E36 rod ends are the best to use, you cant change them for E30 rod ends without changing the whole track rods which is pointless as the E36 parts fit perfectly

I used E30 ends on mine.

[asmith88]

how much is the cost of all the parts

99p

doing this over the weekend

[Barton]

if i get new pipes made up, what do i need?

i'd be happy to bend my pipes, except i think they're leaking anyway

[333i]

FWIW Ross, my E36 rack is fitted in the rear mount holes. The linkage is E30 top UJ, custom spacer/adaptor, E36 rubber "guibo" (and heatshield) and bottom UJ.
HTH
Stuart.

do u have a pic and dimentions of the linkage spacer plz

[rp2]

ive had issues with clearance of my steering linkage. it catches the manifold at the lower UJ. ive done a lot of filing, made up the half e30/e36 linkage and no differance. in the end ive had to heat up the manifold and take a hammer to it and it still catches on occation. its really annoying as the steering feels great and its so nice to have the less turns. It makes such a differance when driving a bit fast its just upsetting when the linkage catches

all i would say is be prepared to do a bit of fiddling/filing and hammering with a 325i and the steering linkage

[rossmc88]

FWIW Ross, my E36 rack is fitted in the rear mount holes. The linkage is E30 top UJ, custom spacer/adaptor, E36 rubber "guibo" (and heatshield) and bottom UJ.
HTH
Stuart.

do u have a pic and dimentions of the linkage spacer plz

I have had an adapter made up, will let you know the size if it fits

[hennie]

here is how i did mine also had the problem with catching linkage
http://www.e30clubsa.co.za/forum/index. ... k-fiiting/