e36/e46 steering rack

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baptie0
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Post Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:14 pm

happy new year people.

is there any benefit using the e46 rack over the e36? is it any quicker?

cheers

sorry wrong section.
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hoshy
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Post Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:37 pm

I think there are a few different ratios from both cars. Z3 (e36) is often the preferred choice. I have an e46 rack that I believe to be from just a run of the mill car, maybe a 318 or similar. It's a little quicker but not much really.

Obviously the e46 racks are newer so perhaps in better condition.

I've heard that the e46 330 clubsport has a quicker rack than the regular e46 but I can't confirm that.

Perhaps somebody with a bit more knowledge could update the wiki with the various details??
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Post Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:40 pm

My E46 330i sport is 3.0 turns lock to lock. With the car is in the air on full lock the wheels rub on the plastic undertray, so I think it provides more lock than standard E30 rack to. Can provide photos / fitting advice if required. pm me
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hoshy
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Post Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:42 pm

My regular e46 rack also rubs a bit - either it's not central or, as you say, there's a bit more lock on there.

I think I need to upgrade to the sport rack :)
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Bob_S
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Post Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:31 am

my e36 rack will let the tyres rub on the arb on full lock..
and yes the clubsport rack is quicker
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DanThe
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Post Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:27 pm

I went from an E36 rack with god knows how many miles, to an E46 rack with only a couple of thousand miles on it, the difference was shocking, both racks had the same 3.4ish turns lock to lock, maybe the E46 rack gives more lock im not sure, but it definitely feels quicker
Last edited by DanThe on Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:16 pm

I'm guessing a quicker rack is a good thing. I wonder if there is any difference in the swap process from E36 to E46 rack. Any modification to the steering linkage?
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Post Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:16 pm

Bob_S wrote:my e36 rack will let the tyres rub on the arb on full lock..
and yes the clubsport rack is quicker
Do you mean the clubsport rack is quicker than the Z3 one or the same but quicker than the normal e46 one? ive been looking for a z3 for ages with no luck, but there loads of e46 ones out there :D
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DanThe
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Post Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:04 pm

The clubsport/sport E46 rack is 3 turns, standard E46 and E36 racks are 3.4ish, I think the Z3 is 2.7 or thereabouts
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:37 pm

Is a club sport rack the same as a m3 one? :D hope it is
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hoshy
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:01 pm

You got yourself an e46 m3 rack matt?
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:31 pm

the posabilty of one and for reasonable money to! :D just want to make sure its the same as the club sport and not a one with less lock like the e36 evo ones or z3 m coupe jobs
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hoshy
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:42 pm

Sweet. Let me know if another pops up ;-)

I've got a stock e46 jobbie but it's not really quick enough :(
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:15 pm

have you got any picks or list of what you used? any bump steer? :?
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hoshy
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:23 pm

It's running unassisted atm but I've got a saxo elec pump to fit.

I used thick washer spacers and front holes. I put the spacers on top of the rack which I think it corect but not 100%.

Bump steer does seem a bit worse to be honest.

I used the whole e30 track rod ends and arms. They screw straight in to the 46 rack.
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oze30
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:24 pm

Ive got a Z3 quick rack (the quick quick rack , 1.9 from memory) for sale. Needs a new tie rod end but that's it. Comes with conversion pipes.

Pm for details
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Post Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:16 pm

You have Pm mate i'll take it! :D
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