Rack Question

[turkeysneck]

A couple of questions regarding the steering rack upgrade. I haven't decided yet if to go for the Z3 or E46 rack, my question is am I going to get the same level of feel from either of these racks. I've heard that some of the racks make the steering too light. Any ideas ?

The other question is I'm using a six branch manifold and I can't see the new rack being able to fit with this manifold. How do I get around this problem. I'm using a Hottuning manifold so does this mean I've got to have it modified or lose it all together ?

[bab-91]

I was considering a steering rack upgrade... I'm going to stalk this topic now.

[mwggriffiths]

I like my E46 rack, the steering is really nicely weighted and there is plenty of feel. Definitely worth the swap

My steering pump is less impressed by the swap, you can here it cavitating trying to keep up with the rack sometimes! My tyres also rub against my front (H&R) anti roll bar and against the front inner arch on full lock (Although the later is probably due to the M3 eccentric control arm bushes)

Make sure you fit new tie/track rods too - that alone will transform your steering!

I can't comment on the 6 pot manifolds but the iS manifold was close and a bit! I ended up using the E30 UJ linkage with the rubber removed and bolted back up solid (There is surprisingly little vibration through the wheel with this setup) with the upper bolted to the column in the OE position, with the lower pushed as far down the onto the rack as possible (This method is fractionally too long for the setup so the lower won't bolt into the OE position). The manifold was dented slightly with a big bit of pipe in a vice and I ditched the gaskets and opted for liquid exhaust gaskets instead. And after all that it STILL rubs on very high G left handers (You need to be doing track day speeds mind)

[e301988325i]

E46 067 rack FTW. The Z3 rack is too light IMHO

[turkeysneck]

What does 067 and FTW mean ?

[e301988325i]

E46 067 rack FTW. The Z3 rack is too light IMHO

The long hand version, the E46 rack with part number ending 067 For The Win. Non 067 E46, E36 & Z3 racks are all over assisted In My Honest Opinion.

[mwggriffiths]

What does 067 and FTW mean ?

067 is the final 3 digits on the part number on the rack - 067 is "the quick E46 rack"

I'd still measure it though, as mine was marked up as 067 too despite being removed from a compact ;)

FTW is for the win. I.e. Is awesome

[turkeysneck]

OK thanks, E46 it is then.

[asmith88]

i put an e36 rack in, made a fair difference, for the pricey sum of 99p

[ross2009]

whats the turning ratio on a e46 rack ?

[b12rlw]

the 067 is 2.7turns lock to lock. Purchased last month from the bay for £35 to the door it'll be getting swapped out when i do my engine swap very soon.

[mwggriffiths]

I built this spreadsheet up from 'tinterweb when I was looking:



P.S. Do I need to build a regular E30 rack into a 1 turn lock to lock to prove ITS A POINTLESS METRIC

[ross2009]

ive been after one for a while but not known which toget ive just found a 067 on ebay for 35 squid so its now mine

[turkeysneck]

Does anyone know the complete part number so I can order a new one.

[mwggriffiths]

Does anyone know the complete part number so I can order a new one.

Real OEM can tell you if you need it. But new? That'll be MIGHTY expensive! If you really want piece of mind buy one and get it rebuilt imho

[turkeysneck]

Cost isn't an issue, I just want the part number. Real OEM is OK but unless I know the exact model of the car it's fitted to surely I'll be searching for hours. I was hoping someone might know.

[mwggriffiths]

Mine had an 067 PN on it, and it came out of a 2004 318Ti E46 Compact. But the full PN listed on RealOEM finishes in 068, so I'm not sure which is correct

[turkeysneck]

Oh just my luck.

[ross2009]

this is the one I just got 6755067

[turkeysneck]

Brilliant thanks.

[turkeysneck]

Isn't that a few digits too short ?

[ross2009]

32136755067 better ??

[turkeysneck]

I thought there were a few more, thanks again.

[ross2009]

but that part number isn't recognised on Oem like griffiths said its 32136755068 for that car

[turkeysneck]

OK, I'll give my parts supplier both numbers and let them fight it out.

[redcar]

067 is the fast/nicely weighted one!

[ross2009]

on Oem there looking at $1300 do you can expect a price to come bk at around the £800 mark

[ross2009]

067 is the fast/nicely weighted one!

how come the 067 isn't recognised on realoem red?

[mwggriffiths]

067 is the fast/nicely weighted one!

how come the 067 isn't recognised on realoem red?

067 seems to appear on the rack, but not on RealOEM, its bizarre! This is why my compact rack is marked as 067 but the final 3 digits of the part number are 068!

The only way to know FOR SURE is to measure the rack itself, and the good news is its quite simple:

Wind the rack by (twisting the plastic cover on the column end) so one end of the rack is flush with the edge of the rack housing. Note the rotational position of the plastic cap. Rotate the cap 360 degrees in the direction that extends the rack out of the housing. Measure the displacement of the rack from the housing. If its 50mm or very close congratulate yourself on finding the correct "fast" rack.

This isn't the way I did it - measured the displacement at the first position and again at the second and subtracted, but it achieves the same thing!



20mm



70mm

As those bright sparks amongst you will have deduced:

70 - 20 = 50 = fast rack

PS you can see the 067 number next to the rivet on the purple section of the ID plate

[turkeysneck]

What are the row of the numbers under the 067 number in silver ?

[mwggriffiths]

What are the row of the numbers under the 067 number in silver ?

They're stamped into the plate so I assume they're an individual part number unique to my rack so BMW could track when and where it was built in case there was an issue. I'm not sure though.

[turkeysneck]

Ah OK thanks.

[ross2009]

on the 067 rack what ends are you guys using?
staying with the e46 rod ends , swapping them for e30 ones or swapping the whole rod and rod end?

[maxfield]

I used E36 track rods and rack ends. Only because I had brand new ones lying around.

I do believe you have problems with the track rod end if you have big brakes due to the ball joint being bigger.

[ross2009]

i think that maybe my problem altho my discs are 2 piece and have a spacer between them to push them futher out so might not be an issue ill have to fit it and see what hits and what doesnt
are the e30 rods compatable can they be swapped does any body know ?