e46 rack fitted

[redcar]

So are you sure your current rack isn't an 067 one?

[Jozi]

I'll check tomorrow when it's light but I'm nearly sure it isn't, don't think the tag was purple either.

[HairyScreech]

Its not the rack spine than means you need a hybrid linkage its the steering column spine.
The e30 and e36 racks with have the same spine but the steering column are different.
The e36 has the same spine on both the column and rack where as the e30 has a much coarser spine on the column.
there is also the issue of the racks pinnion sitting an inch higher which requires a shorter linkage in order for it to be mounted in the rear holes.

The front holes are for the manual racks and won't change the force applied to the hubs but Will change the angle of the track rods. this could result in some funny bump steering and might cause odd toe changes on steering.
I suspect the reason for the front holes is that the manual rack has a smaller diameter caring due to lacking the piston the power rack requires (not seen one in person but this is the case on pretty much everything else.)
therefore the front holes would be intended to compensate for a smaller diameter casing with similar mounting stubs by moving the whole rack forwards and putting the centralize of the rack in the same place.

Btw. on a car that has been lowered then moving the rack up to the highest possible position when fitting the e36 or e46 racks Will move the steering links to roughly parallel with the ground and help cure the bump steering effect lowered cars suffer from.

[redcar]

Its not the rack spine than means you need a hybrid linkage its the steering column spine.
The e30 and e36 racks with have the same spine but the steering column are different.
The e36 has the same spine on both the column and rack where as the e30 has a much coarser spine on the column.
there is also the issue of the racks pinnion sitting an inch higher which requires a shorter linkage in order for it to be mounted in the rear holes.

The front holes are for the manual racks and won't change the force applied to the hubs but Will change the angle of the track rods. this could result in some funny bump steering and might cause odd toe changes on steering.
I suspect the reason for the front holes is that the manual rack has a smaller diameter caring due to lacking the piston the power rack requires (not seen one in person but this is the case on pretty much everything else.)
therefore the front holes would be intended to compensate for a smaller diameter casing with similar mounting stubs by moving the whole rack forwards and putting the centralize of the rack in the same place.

Btw. on a car that has been lowered then moving the rack up to the highest possible position when fitting the e36 or e46 racks Will move the steering links to roughly parallel with the ground and help cure the bump steering effect lowered cars suffer from.

Bump steer is related to arc swing relative to the control arm

[HairyScreech]

Its not the rack spine than means you need a hybrid linkage its the steering column spine.
The e30 and e36 racks with have the same spine but the steering column are different.
The e36 has the same spine on both the column and rack where as the e30 has a much coarser spine on the column.
there is also the issue of the racks pinnion sitting an inch higher which requires a shorter linkage in order for it to be mounted in the rear holes.

The front holes are for the manual racks and won't change the force applied to the hubs but Will change the angle of the track rods. this could result in some funny bump steering and might cause odd toe changes on steering.
I suspect the reason for the front holes is that the manual rack has a smaller diameter caring due to lacking the piston the power rack requires (not seen one in person but this is the case on pretty much everything else.)
therefore the front holes would be intended to compensate for a smaller diameter casing with similar mounting stubs by moving the whole rack forwards and putting the centralize of the rack in the same place.

Btw. on a car that has been lowered then moving the rack up to the highest possible position when fitting the e36 or e46 racks Will move the steering links to roughly parallel with the ground and help cure the bump steering effect lowered cars suffer from.

Bump steer is related to arc swing relative to the control arm

yes? by moving the rack position up, down, fore or aft your affecting that relationship.

[redcar]

I don't think there will be much bump steer.

[fastdiablo]

Can an e46 rack be used on an M30 conversion ?

If not are there any other possibilities ?

[mwggriffiths]

Can an e46 rack be used on an M30 conversion ?

If not are there any other possibilities ?

The biggest problem people seem to have with any engine, standard or not, is manifold clearance, but I think if the E30 rack will fit under an M30 then the E46 rack should?

--

In other news I've sourced an E46 Compact steering rack from a car with the sports suspension (Should be 50mm/rev, the fastest rack this side of a Z4M or Z3, and SOOOOOO much cheaper ). I'll do some measurements when I pick it up on Friday

[redcar]

E46 rack is quicker than a z3 rack

And it can achieve way more lock

[fastdiablo]

Can an e46 rack be used on an M30 conversion ?

If not are there any other possibilities ?

The biggest problem people seem to have with any engine, standard or not, is manifold clearance, but I think if the E30 rack will fit under an M30 then the E46 rack should?

--

Thats the big issue here, manifold clearance is virtually non existent ! . . . I was hoping this may be the solution ?

[e301988325i]

I STONGLY ADVISE A PAS OIL COOLER MOUNTED AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE RESULT OF THE OIL OVERHEATING IS VIRTUALLY SEIZED STEERING, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FIRST HAND.

Steering wheel diameter, I run 350mm, can still see the instrument cluster andit works a treat, dry steering is quite difficult but I avoid this at all costs anyway.

Toe - mines set 2mm in, eccentric bushes, -35mm srpings, I get even tyre wear and even wear front/rear.

The 'clubsport' only was started by me some time ago, I was wrong, it's only the part number that matters, my E46 330i touring has this rack as well.

My rack is fitted with a modified E30 only linkage, the guilbo is completely removed and both halves are bolted together.

Monkey - Matt has reported the banjo valve makes no difference and did not cure his first go with a non-067 rack which reportedly was horribly light like a Z3 rack.

[redcar]

Hi mate do you have any detailed pictures of how you mounted the cooler?

Thanks

[maxfield]

I've just ordered a '067' rack to replace my current E36 rack. See how things go.

[Jimbob]

There are clearance issues with the M52 conversion...will take some pictures later

[redcar]

There are clearance issues with the M52 conversion...will take some pictures later

the manifolds need modifying on an m52 conversion don't they
I think the steering shaft mod is needed to

[Jimbob]

Yes the manifold nearer the bulkhead needs modifying to clear the steering, however I was unware the other manifold needed the same modification (apart from the clearance issue with the front cross member).

Fortunately I can get all my welding mods done for free but it takes time..if I had the cash I would recommend buying DanThe's exhaust manifolds!

[Jozi]

Would be interested in hearing/seeing how an oil cooler is mounted and plumbed in. I have pipes from Danthe, is it possible to plumb a cooler in with this in a nice neat way?

[redcar]

The cooler is just a loop or metal pipe
It can be plumbed in very easily from the low pressure of the rack an then back to the reservoir

You need some 1/2" hose suitable for pas fluid though.

I'd be interested in seeing how you mounted the coil though

[e301988325i]

there are pictures a simple search should find them

[e301988325i]

I zip tied the 180 degree bend to the plastic shroud (in front of the radiator, behind the kidney grills) which I drilled two 5mm holes through for the zip tie. I had to remove the grill.

lower pipe is from the return of the rack, top pipe returns to the reservoir, self bleeds this way.

You must use oil grade hose, it's not expensive. Car water hose will be eaten by PAS fluid.

My cooler is the same as this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-3-Ser ... 1e6937774c

[Jozi]

Can the cooler be on either outlet of the reservoir, hardly matters does it as neither are under pressure?

Was eyeing up that same cooler on ebay.

[DanThe]

Ideally you need to use 'unleaded' grade hose, standard oil hose will eventually bleed with ATF

[TouringMatt]

Ideally you need to use 'unleaded' grade hose, standard oil hose will eventually bleed with ATF

This is what i brought http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOCAL-1-2-ID- ... 5d32112bc5 came marked up as suitable for unleaded IIRC

[DanThe]

Yeah it needs to have 'suitable for unleaded' actually on the hose or its not the grade

[redcar]

Yeah it needs to have 'suitable for unleaded' actually on the hose or its not the grade

I was going to say this but i thought i might be wrong.

I got in contact with a place who make all sorts of hoses, they said that for PAS fluid, i would need fuel hose. I managed to get it for £3.20 per m of 1/2" of this unleaded fuel hose. Of course, a simple search on ebay of the internet can find you similar deals

[e301988325i]

Can the cooler be on either outlet of the reservoir, hardly matters does it as neither are under pressure?

Was eyeing up that same cooler on ebay.

THE COOLER HAS TO GO IN THE RETURN LINE. In the feed line it is very unlikely that the pump will prime and damage will follow.

[Jozi]

Can the cooler be on either outlet of the reservoir, hardly matters does it as neither are under pressure?

Was eyeing up that same cooler on ebay.

THE COOLER HAS TO GO IN THE RETURN LINE. In the feed line it is very unlikely that the pump will prime and damage will follow.

Good to know, thanks

[e301988325i]

Yeah it needs to have 'suitable for unleaded' actually on the hose or its not the grade

I was going to say this but i thought i might be wrong.

I got in contact with a place who make all sorts of hoses, they said that for PAS fluid, i would need fuel hose. I managed to get it for £3.20 per m of 1/2" of this unleaded fuel hose. Of course, a simple search on ebay of the internet can find you similar deals

are you aware that PAS fluid is brake fluid and that your BMW uses ATF, which is very different. Anyway heater hose will be eaten alive by ATF, I strongly suspect unleases petrol hose as well, I can safely say this, my rack being fitted nearly 4 years ago!

[DanThe]

You suspect ATF will eat unleaded fuel hose?

[redcar]

ATF fluid will never go through r6 grade fuel hose.

[e301988325i]

it's not rocket science, atf is hydraulic fluid and hydraulic hose should be used. Petrol hose is for petol, i really don't understand why you'd reccomend petrol hose. Ps) i work for a company that manufactures subsea hydraulic pumps valves and intensifiers. http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfa ... cooler.htm

[DanThe]

Id recommend Unleaded fuel hose because thats what was recommended to me by the experts that build hydraulic hoses. 'Fuel hose' and 'Unleaded fuel hose' are very different BTW.

[redcar]

Id recommend Unleaded fuel hose because thats what was recommended to me by the experts that build hydraulic hoses. 'Fuel hose' and 'Unleaded fuel hose' are very different BTW.

Same
When I was looking for a suitable hose, an expert hose place recommended r6 unleaded fuel hose

When I got it it said suitable for unleaded fuel.
ATF fluid will never eat through it.

[rix313]

Can any one clear up for me why E34 UJ's are required or are used? Doesn't seem to be a definative answer any where that I've manage to flush out?

[redcar]

Can any one clear up for me why E34 UJ's are required or are used? Doesn't seem to be a definative answer any where that I've manage to flush out?

Using the e34 UJ setup won't help clear the exhaust manifold when using an m42 as its the Lower uj itself which touches the the manifold

The reason the e34 manifold is used is to allow the splined shaft to be used which can help clearances, and solve issues where a shortened e30 steering linkage may not work...ie on an m52 conversion.