Z3 rack- Does it REALLY not need a custom steering linkage?

Thu May 21, 2015 6:04 pm

Hi!

As title really.

While the E30 Zone Wiki is a bit of a bible of good info, various people have made me doubt one point, so can I ask, as I'm sure some have done it...

Z3 rack, ie part numbers 3213 1094038 and 3213 1095577 , the Wiki says "no need for a custom steering linkage", is that true?

Most people I've spoke to either have no idea or swear it needs one just like a E36/46 rack does.

Aside from the fact they're older and harder to find these days, is there any other reason not to fit one? I've heard people say they have less overall lock angle, but I think they getting it mixed up with the M rack or something...

Can someone clarify, as the fact the stock 325i steering is like a cruise liner spoils and otherwise great car.

Cheers

Thu May 21, 2015 7:22 pm

Also, a new 'rumour' (?).

The Z3 rack is the same as E46 CS rack, just has less turns before full lock as its got lock stoppers, rather than being a quicker rack.

This rack shiz is a minefield...

Thu May 21, 2015 7:25 pm

Z3 rack does not need a linkage.

Fri May 22, 2015 3:49 am

I had to have a alloy spacer made to join my two bits together I think it was 50mm from memory .

Fri May 22, 2015 4:11 pm

I've just fitted an 067 rack without a different column - just using the standard E30 affair (with guibo).

Manifold is a bit close atm, but with some new engine mounts, I think it'll be fine (unless I'm missing something massive?).

Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:44 pm

I'm the same as TriggerFish, check the clearance on mine..

Ive ordered AKG 75d motor mounts. If that doesn't help, I've read about people using spacers on top or below the mounts just go give it a bit more height?

If I put the rack crooked, i.e. passenger side in power steering rack hole, and drivers side in manual rack hole the clearance is great

...but yeah not sure how advisable it is to run the rack on a diagonal?

Mon Jun 01, 2015 11:23 pm

Is the above rack in the rear holes on the subframe? You ought to put the plastic shield back over the input shaft if you want the rack to last a reasonable amount of time

Tue Jun 02, 2015 12:22 am

Yeah in the rear holes in that pic...

That u joint is actually the bottom half of an e36...the standard e30 one actually hits the pipes

Oh and yeah I just took the plastic shield off for test fitting the joint.

is something seriously wrong..this is just standard e30 knuckle without rubber spacer

Tue Jun 02, 2015 8:31 am

Ahh right, so the linkage is not connected up to the column, I thought it looked too good to be true!

Usual practice with the M20 is to use taller/stiffer engine mounts and also upgrade the gearbox mounts

Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:25 am

Will akg motorsport 75d mounts do the trick?

Tue Jun 02, 2015 12:49 pm

No idea depends on the height

Tue Jun 02, 2015 5:43 pm

I reccently fitted a z3 rack, it seems good has plenty of clearance on the zaust but definitely has a smaller lock than e36 rack I had before. Cant get out of me parking space in one move anymore!

Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:01 pm

If I was to do this again I would just use the corsa link.
The slimmer steel joints give better clearance.

Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:05 pm

potatomash wrote:I'm the same as TriggerFish, check the clearance on mine..

Ive ordered AKG 75d motor mounts. If that doesn't help, I've read about people using spacers on top or below the mounts just go give it a bit more height?

If I put the rack crooked, i.e. passenger side in power steering rack hole, and drivers side in manual rack hole the clearance is great ...but yeah not sure how advisable it is to run the rack on a diagonal?

I think I've got a bit more space than that, and I'm in the rear holes (oh er!). I'll try and grab a photo from the same angle to compare. I was planning on adding a couple of washers + new engine mount if needs be. Mine looks like it's sagged down by a few mm over the years.

Sun Jun 07, 2015 12:31 am

What do you guys think about using the e46 cooler with the e30 p.s pump? Im using one of the e46 hoses as it barely needed any bending to fit.

Was thinking about just mounting it under the radiator..

Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:53 am

Ended up going with the corsa, or as I found in NZ a Holden Astra steering shaft and 6mm of spacers under engine mounts, with some hard mounts on the way.

Sat Jun 20, 2015 4:28 pm

i have been trying to fit a z3 rack today to my e30, and the bottom uj wont fit onto the z3 rack as the size of the output shaft is bigger than on the rack i took off, i am going to have to have a custom linkage of some kind.

Sun Jun 21, 2015 4:50 pm

A bit late, I know, but here's my E46 rack with the standard E30 linkage complete with guibo (but no heat shield).

Clearance is a bit tight, but it drives fine and doesn't touch.

For reference, the black/rubber bit is the dust cover for the rack, the guibo is just out of shot.

Fitted in the rear holes, with spacers above the rack (nearer the engine, not the floor).

Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:07 pm

I'm not sure how well the rubber guibo will last without the heatshield fitted

Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:43 pm

Nor me. We'll see though!

I was sick of fighting the thing by the time I'd put it together and remembered I'd left it out.

It's only £10, so if it does fail, then it's not the end of the world, and if it does last, then happy days!

Plus, I wonder how much good surrounding rubber in heat transferring metal does anyway... (Genuine question, not trolling)

Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:01 am

This is my set up for my z3 rack.

Its a u joint connected to a custom splined shaft and that is connected to 2 more knuckles and then to the rack.

My rack doesn't have a dust shield for the input shaft! Must have fallen off

I'll get more photos of the set up if anyone's interested

Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:13 am

The above is 2 chopped E34 column ends welded together, I recommend you change it for a solid piece, welds can fail.

Some folk remove the dust shield and think its not needed for some reason, it keeps the grease in and water/dust out

Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:17 pm

Can you supply a solid one Dan?

Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:23 pm

Yes, these are mine - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-E21-s ... SA:GB:1123

Cheaper to zoners for direct/no fees payments

Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:58 pm

Yep my one is a chopped e34 one welded. But I was given a solid piece when o bought the car. He told me he had it manufactured. It could well be one of danthe ones. I fitted it today

Fri Jun 26, 2015 8:52 am

Safety first

Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:13 am

Problem time...

When Im turned hard right on lock, once i start turning left again i get this loud creak/crack sound. Just been under the car now trying to diagnose it, from what I can tell its coming from in or around the rack on the left side where its bolted to subframe...anyone have any ideas??

Also should I be able to hear fluid sloshing around when I'm turning through hard lock on each side of the rack?

Fri Jun 26, 2015 10:24 am

This is a confusing read to me, I have a z3 steering rack fitted to my 318is with the standard Columb and also the original ujs from the car. I think from memory my rack is in the front holes!?

Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:32 am

i have z3 rack and did the following.

http://users.tpg.com.au/adtha//E36racki ... thpics.pdf

im not sure why it is required though lol. it looks physically shorter maybe thats why?

i never tried fitting the standard one but the splines on standard e30 rack and z3 1.9 are the same?

i know the steering wheel side uses the coarser spline than the rack

i do need to come up with something again as its worn out.

i have the dantheman spline but no UJ's maybe that is a better solution

would be good if someone sold the UJ premodded for the dan spline id be in on that....