E46 Rack Swap: Tie Rods

[CrazyJew89]

Appolagies if this has already been covered, but I wasn't able to find much on this even though the E46 swap is claimed to be the same as the E36 I haven't been able to find much info on the tie rod end of the swap. My question is if I get the E46 rack and stick it in what do I need to do for tie rods? Do I have to swap the inners and outers from the E30 (don't want to do) or just throw E36 or E46 ends on and call it a day?

Any insite would be greatly appreciated.

[gromgsxr]

from what iv read you need a matching set inner and outer both sides from either a E36 or E30
on a e46 rack, im doing the same swap havent got all the bits yet. its apparently better to use the E30 ones if you have bigger brakes just what iv read though

[maxfield]

You will have to use either E30 or E36 track rods and track rod ends.

E46 track rod ends don't fit in E30 hubs.

As the poster above mentioned. The E36 track rod end ball joints are bigger than E30 there for I you're running bigger discs it can cause clearance issues.

[Grrrmachine]

If anyone has a documented rack swap with photos, it's needed for the Wiki. The current article needs heavy updating.

[Jozi]

I can help with the wiki when the car come back. I need to replace inner and outer rods on my rack and fit pipes and the linkage.

I've used e36 tie rod-ends in the past but E30 will also fit. Haven't had to use new inners (except now because they are bent). Only problem with the e36 ones are they can foul on 14" bottle tops if their slightly bent and as we found out recently they won't fit with 15" bbs mahles either

[Theo]

2 choices.

Use the e46 inners with e36 outers (what I've done)

or

Use complete (inner & outer) e30 assemblies.

[capnmchl]

I just used E30 inners and outers on my E36 rack if that's any help.

Remember to get new locking tabs if you don't get them with your inners.

[CrazyJew89]

Use the e46 inners with e36 outers (what I've done)

I like this option. This is what I was hoping to hear as a possible option. It means I don't have to swap inners when the new rack shows up.

I have to say I am quite impressed with how much everyone knows and how fast they replied. I'm usually on e30tech, but I made the same post there and have not gotten a single reply yet. Looks like I may spend some more time on here in the future.

Thanks everyone.

[gromgsxr]

so was taking a look at a E46 rack today and the threads on the inner tie rods where they attach to the rack look to be a m18 thread, where as looking at a qh catalogue the E30 and E36 seem to be a m14 thread, also there is no lock washers, i work in a motor factors so i will
phone qh's tech department to confirm this, so the E46 inners with E36 outers may be the only way to go on this one.

[CrazyJew89]

^ That is interesting seeing as I thought I saw elsewhere people using the E46 rack w/ E30 inners and outers

[Jimbob]

My E46 rack is using complete E30 track rods.

[b12rlw]

I used e46 rack with full new e30 track rods and used the e46 rubber boots after pulling the rubber discs off the e30 track rods.

[Duke137]

My E46 rack also has complete lemforder E30 rods but i am running WMS brakes too so clearance was important as i know they are close as it is!

[DanThe]

They are very close to the brake discs, the only reason for using E36 ends on E46 arms is if you want to be tight and have lots of scrap around. I have this setup on both my E30's
If your buying new parts then use full Lemforder E30 track rods, they are plenty cheap enough from Matt on here (ECP Manager where there is an E30Zone account)

[frenchee]

Hey guys. What is the difference with the E30 "track" rods. Is this another word for saying "tie" rods? Or track as in a race track performance tie rod haha... I have some new tie rods on my e30 and do not want to get new ones... Again. But, my stock rack has blown and I have ordered an e46 rack.
Is it a pain in the ass to remove the inner tie rods?
Thanks

[Morat]

Frenchee, fill out your location in your profile and we can translate

[daimlerman]

Track rods.

Usually in two parts,inner and outer

Called 'track rods' because you adjust the tracking of the front wheels by making the rod longer or shorter.This is achieved by slacking off the locking device and rotating the rod.

I understand that our friends in north America refer to the same part as a 'tie rod',perhaps because it 'ties' the front wheels together.

HTH

[DanThe]

Hey guys. What is the difference with the E30 "track" rods. Is this another word for saying "tie" rods? Or track as in a race track performance tie rod haha... I have some new tie rods on my e30 and do not want to get new ones... Again. But, my stock rack has blown and I have ordered an e46 rack.
Is it a pain in the ass to remove the inner tie rods?
Thanks

Simple, unscrew your 'tierods' from the E30 rack before removing it, then screw them into the E46 rack once its bolted in. Its really that easy..

[frenchee]

Haha, I knew this must have been another way of saying tie rod in the UK. Thanks for the replies guys! I will update my profile info to indicate that I am from the United States haha!
So the plate that secures the inner tie rod to the outer tie rod won't be reusable? Heard there is a locking plate I have to remove or bend.
Thanks this forum is awesome. Great replies.

[DanThe]

The only plate I can think of is a tab washer, the tab bends over and stops the rod unscrewing, pointless on a rack as there are no forces to turn the rod anyway, you will notice that E36/E46 racks dont have this

[frenchee]

Last question! My e46 rack comes with boots. Will these be too long for my e30 inner and outer track rods? If so i will need to place an order for new boots since the ones on my stock rack are crappy.