E46 rack conversion, non-pas?

Post Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:35 pm

So gone and bought myself an e46 'purple tag' clubsport steering rack. Conversion looks pretty straightforward but is it possible to fit this as a manual rack either through blanking or draining of fluid?

Basically I can't be bothered to retrofit PAS, and I dont need to park. As long as it still is possible to turn the wheel somehow when stationary

Post Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:37 pm

Shmallpaul wrote: I dont need to park.

Hmmm, this must be exactly what goes through my neighbours head when he abandons his shitheap people carrier over a foot away from the kerb

Post Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:58 pm

Hah ok I will correct that.. I don't need to park anywhere except on the curb outside my house

Post Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:06 pm

http://store.garagistic.com/ocart/power ... r%20delete

his other version, not on his website for some reason:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UHMW-Machined-P ... d0&vxp=mtr

edit: just noticed that e46 isnt in the application list, but gives you an idea of what you should be looking for. I have not used these so cannot comment on how they perform, I've just seen them on his site.

Post Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:08 pm

Nice link there, however doesn't quote as fitting an e46 rack?

Post Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:37 pm

Ridiculously heavy is the answer and very difficult to catch the rear end when it goes!

Post Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:01 pm

e301988325i wrote:Ridiculously heavy is the answer and very difficult to catch the rear end when it goes!

The answer I was looking for! Reckon its worth retrofitting PAS then?

Post Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:10 pm

I had an e36 rack on my E30 with no power steering and never had an issue.

Plenty of feel, wasn't too bad to drive with. Never found catching the back end a problem.

Post Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:33 pm

Shmallpaul wrote:
e301988325i wrote:Ridiculously heavy is the answer and very difficult to catch the rear end when it goes!
The answer I was looking for! Reckon its worth retrofitting PAS then?

100% unless you're in a racing seat, sat upright close to the wheel using your shoulders to steer, well that's what my E46 rack is like.

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:45 am

ok better start hunting for the bits then, cheers for the advice

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:15 am

just put an advert up in the wanted section. You need to fit a pas oil cooler in the return line. The fluid to use is ATF Dexron 2 (II) not pas fluid.

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:12 am

Do you use Dexron 2 Alex? Dexron 3 is a much newer/better oil and would be much less likely to overheat. I wouldnt use anything less TBH, most motor-parts places have even stopped selling Dexron 2

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:49 pm

I'm still on Dexron II, that's what's in the handbook, I haven't given it any thought at all TBH! Yes, it's not easy to find dexron II so I've got about 3 litres here. I'm going to look up Dexron III

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:58 pm

Which handbook? The E30 or E46?
Dexron 3 came out in 1993 IIRC so I wouldnt have thought anything manufactured after that date should be using the superseded Dexron 2

Ive been looking into ATF quite a bit recently, in search of cheaper autobox fluid changes

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:27 pm

E30 book, the fluid for the pump needs to be correct. I see that Dexron III is backwards compatible, but I can find nothing regards what the actual improvement is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-771-dexron-iii.aspx

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:18 pm

Ive had a look also and there is a viscosity difference, flash point is higher for Dexron 3
Ive previously found instructions for gearboxes that warns not to use Dexron 2 so it must be a lower quality than Dexron 3

Post Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:31 pm

I was always under the impression that Dextron 3 superseded Dextron 2, and was fine to use where Dextron 2 was specified.

On topic, I have never really understood not having power steering, the e30 rack is not great lock to lock, but the power steering is a good system, which I personally rather have over the very few extra horse power, and added "feel" that people talk about. If there is one thing an e30 does not lack its the comunication givern to the driver through the wheel.

Get it fitted

Post Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:55 pm

Shmallpaul wrote:So gone and bought myself an e46 'purple tag' clubsport steering rack. Conversion looks pretty straightforward but is it possible to fit this as a manual rack either through blanking or draining of fluid?

Basically I can't be bothered to retrofit PAS, and I dont need to park. As long as it still is possible to turn the wheel somehow when stationary

Is it for a car intended for road use because if it is, it will fail the MOT for,

3.
a.
Power steering malfunctioning or inoperative or evidence that power assistance has been removed or disconnected when it is known that power steering is standard on the vehicle.

And,

7.
An inappropriate repair or modification to a power steering component.

Post Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:11 pm

When I first fitted my E36 rack, I didn't connect the power steering, and just did the tracking with a measuring tape. When I drove it to the tracking centre, it felt horrible, real bump steery and just loose and unconnected. It wasn't excessively heavy though. I figured it was just the tracking. However, after getting it tracked, it was still the same. When I finally connected the power steering up, it was lovely.

Real nice weighty feel to it. I'd definately rather have power steering than non power steering from my experience.