steering rack conversion

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:24 pm

Hi guys i fancy having a go at a steering rack conversion. Stupidly i've already done the engine conversion but hey, didn't have the money at the time. I've already go one of Danthe's steering linkages so basically what i'm asking is:

-What racks can be used? (i'm not after the best, just something that will be a good improvement)

-What else do i need to do the conversion?

cheers

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:31 pm

The hydraulic pipes need modifying and it's safest to fit a PAS oil cooler. search for E46 clubsport rack cross referenced with my username and you'll get all the info you'll need.

Ps) The E46 rack is best for a few reasons (but you have to match the part numbers exactly), they're easier to find than the Z3 1.9 rack and is definitely newer than the E36 racks but is no more expensive than either.

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:46 pm

hi thanks for the reply, can't seem to find that post tho. Good old shitty forum search areas!

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:16 pm

search for all terms E46 Rack

author e301988325i, pages of results but can't copy the hyper link

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:37 pm

I believe the rack part number is 6755067. Also found on the E46 Compact's.

Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:37 pm

3.0 turn e46 club/sport rack and a polite pm to DanThe gets you the money shot slot.

Post Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:32 am

Whats the money shot slot?

Post Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:47 pm

the picture above ^ rack £100, linkage £65 + the cost of the e34 uj's +the pipes £100

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:55 pm

might be best off looking for an e36 rack. its not as fast as the 46 but its cheaper.

i bought the pipes from dan with spacers. you could make the spacers yourself though with washers, dans parts are good though.

you need 2x e34 steering joints. each car only has one so you will need to find 2 donor cars.
you leave one joint as it is, that goes on the bottom on your car, from the splined shaft to the rack itself.

you then canibalise the other of your e34 ones, and rebuild it so its half an e34 joint, and the top half of the top joint is the top of your e30 one

hope that helps

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:25 pm

I'm under the impression you don't need the E34 UJ's when using an E46 rack, or am I wrong?

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:05 pm

looks cool

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:08 pm

Jimbob wrote:I'm under the impression you don't need the E34 UJ's when using an E46 rack, or am I wrong?

Wrong.

I have an e36 rack for £20 btw /Free plug

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:53 pm

What's the difference between E46 racks (aside from the club sport one) that you need to match the part number to?

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:13 pm

Jimbob wrote:I'm under the impression you don't need the E34 UJ's when using an E46 rack, or am I wrong?

I understand you're correct, the E36 and E46 racks have different splines, the standard E30 coupling fits the E46 but not the E36 rack, unless I've missed something?

Jozi wrote:What's the difference between E46 racks (aside from the club sport one) that you need to match the part number to?

I don't believe there are any differences, the M3's rack is not suitable for the E30. if you get the wrong E46 rack your steering will be ridiculously light.

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:19 pm

e301988325i wrote: I don't believe there are any differences, the M3's rack is not suitable for the E30. if you get the wrong E46 rack your steering will be ridiculously light.

Any idea which rack make it very light? It's ove a year I drove my E30, it was light but I can't remember how light or if it was similar to the E30 rack (just less locks).

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:31 pm

Jimbob wrote:I believe the rack part number is 6755067. Also found on the E46 Compact's.

Mine is about halfway between a PAS and non PAS, all the others are reported to be very light, a couple of fingers to dry steer.

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:53 pm

e301988325i wrote:
Jimbob wrote:I believe the rack part number is 6755067. Also found on the E46 Compact's.
Mine is about halfway between a PAS and non PAS, all the others are reported to be very light, a couple of fingers to dry steer.

Hi, do you mean your rack is the same as the part number I've listed?
I'm also under the impression you can use tie rods and track rod ends from an e30?
Thanks for your help, I know there's one or two quality threads about this elsewhere on the forum as I've read them but didn't take the time to favourite them, and I can't find them using the search function.

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:16 pm

yeah I'm sure mine ends 67, i think one has been mentioned 66. If you search for E46 rack and my username you'll get a few results.

Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:17 pm

Jhonno wrote:
Jimbob wrote:I'm under the impression you don't need the E34 UJ's when using an E46 rack, or am I wrong?
Wrong.

I have an e36 rack for £20 btw /Free plug

i bought my e36 for £20 but had to remove it from the turd in a breakers yard .your one is damn cheap

Post Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:32 pm

Jhonno wrote:
Jimbob wrote:I'm under the impression you don't need the E34 UJ's when using an E46 rack, or am I wrong?
Wrong.

I have an e36 rack for £20 btw /Free plug

That sounds just the job, where are you based?

As i said in the first post i'm not after the pinnacle of perfection, just an improvement on the standard e30 rack for not too much money. I've already done the e34 uj and danthe steering coupling modification so no worries there, the other things i will need are the pipes and some spacers tho????

Post Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:39 pm

Dan will also supply those bits for you!

Post Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:48 pm

Do you know the going rate or shall i pm him?

Post Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:06 pm

pipes and spacers with new washers that go to the pump are about £100

Post Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:12 pm

e46 clubsport is the way

Post Sun May 20, 2012 10:12 am

so the part number i need is definately 6755067, even if it is listed as being from a 318ti compact? I'm a bit confused over the shaft splines, at the moment i've got one of Danthe's linkages with the modified uj so as to fit the e30 rack, will this fit the e46 rack or not?

Post Sun May 20, 2012 10:55 am

booomer wrote:so the part number i need is definately 6755067, even if it is listed as being from a 318ti compact? I'm a bit confused over the shaft splines, at the moment i've got one of Danthe's linkages with the modified uj so as to fit the e30 rack, will this fit the e46 rack or not?

Ask Dan?

The E46 and E30 rack splines are the same.

Post Tue May 29, 2012 6:20 pm

Just fitted one of these e46 racks. If you already have the linkage with the modified upper UJ and normal E34 lower UJ, it fits straight onto the e46 rack. i.e. the E30 and E46 rack have the same no. of splines on the input shaft.

If you already have the linkage, all you need is to fit the rack and you're laughing! All you need are the pipes for the fluid and some 14-15mm spacers to fill the gaps between the top of the rack and the mounts on the subframe.