Steering Rack

[C33]

I think the trackday I did a few weeks back has put a fair bit of strain on the front end, and it's starting to feel very loose.

I jacked the car onto axle stands last night, the rubber donut in the steering column is on it's last legs, so that need replacing, but also there was a fair bit of play from the NS wheel station, I was hoping it was the trackrod end ball joint, but it looks like its the knuckle joint in the steering rack thats gone.

So...are they rebuild-able economically? Should I replace the rack? Why is the M40 engine rack at GSF more expensive than all the others? Is PAS needed or will a manual rack give me 20turns lock to lock? Should I do the e36 rack upgrade? Does anyone sell a conversion kit for the e36 rack?

Regards
Iain

[lukeb]

hey dude, ive got an e36 steering rack if you want it, also there is a bloke on the 205/rearwheel drive challenge that sells a fitting kit for £30 iirc.

[C33]

Cheers, I've sent a PM, have you any more details about the chap with the conversion kit? A quick google has left me non the wiser.

Regards
Iain

[lukeb]

ill have a search on the site and send the guy a pm, i think there is a article on here about it.

[lukeb]

the guy is on the 205challenge forum, he said he would be selling the pipe fitting kit for about £30 quid. ill pm him and check and let you know when he replies.

[Brianmoooore]

but it looks like its the knuckle joint in the steering rack thats gone
Regards
Iain

Track rod and knuckle joint is easily replaceable. New rack doesn't come with them anyway.

[C33]

Cheers Brian, can you get the knuckle joints from the likes of GSF/local auto factor or are they a main dealer only parts, from the ETK, http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=32&fg=25, if I order a knuckle I get the track rod ball joint with it. Do you know if it is possible to get just the knuckle?

Regards
Iain

[Brianmoooore]

Cheers Brian, can you get the knuckle joints from the likes of GSF/local auto factor or are they a main dealer only parts, from the ETK, http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=32&fg=25, if I order a knuckle I get the track rod ball joint with it. Do you know if it is possible to get just the knuckle?

Regards
Iain

GSF sells the tie rods, but check the dealer price as well - you may be surprised.
I'd always assumed that if you bought a tie rod , that was all you got, but the realoem diagram shows it bundled with the rod end,so it may well come complete.

[Paulsimon8]

I have a complete E30 PAS rackwith all pipes, PAS pump and reservoire you can have for free - its no use to me, as i've gone the E36 rack with my cossie conversion


I'm not too far from you neither - only up the road in Huddersfield

[Simon13]

the dealer will only sell it complete brian, i checked this the other day.

So if u only need the ball joint part, gsf is your bet. about £10

My local motor factors supply the inner part on it's own for about £30

[Martinaston]

I got some from GSF and they came with the ends as well

[georob]

I have a complete E30 PAS rackwith all pipes, PAS pump and reservoire you can have for free - its no use to me, as i've gone the E36 rack with my cossie conversion


I'm not too far from you neither - only up the road in Huddersfield

i'd buy your rack itself if you'd split and post?

cheers

geo

[Paulsimon8]

Hi Geo - not got time to split and post it unfortunately, and its in the way hence giving it away to someone who can use it