e46 clubsport steering rack conversion

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booomer
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Post Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:02 pm

Hi guys, just in the middle of swapping my steering rack for a clubsport one and i've got a couple of queries.

1. what have other people done about mounting their steering fluid reservoir. Until now mine has been mounted down on the nearside aluminium engine mount, i now want it up on the suspension strut tower but there's now way it will fit with the proper bracket as it fouls the large intake hose

2. Having looked at both racks it appears to me that i will have to use the track rods and ends from the e30 rack and put them on the e46 rack? is this what others have done?
DanThe
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Post Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:26 pm

Just saw your pm but I will reply here, some good pics in this thread to show how the pipes fix up http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0
The P clip is to secure the high pressure line to the back of the crossmember, stops any rubbing. Brushing some waxoil on after fitting will stop the zinc plating from dying out and discolouring

If its an M50/M52 then the engine arm is the best place for the PAS fluid reservoir

Using the complete E30 track arms is the best way to go 8)
booomer
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Post Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:37 am

nice one Dan!
HairyScreech
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Post Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:29 pm

Watch out though when using the e30 rod ends complete there is no little notch in the e46 rack for the locking tabs.
Exercise extreme caution with regard to tightening them correctly and checking them periodically for a little while.
2.8 development thread http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=170822

m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
booomer
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Post Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:14 pm

do new ones come with new locking tabs? I suppose locktite is a must then??
Last edited by booomer on Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
sweep
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Post Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:16 pm

i used locktight
DanThe
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Post Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:16 pm

No locking tabs on E46 racks, or pretty much anything newer than an E30.
They obviously stopped fitting them as they were not needed
booomer
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Post Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:28 pm

sweet
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harry_p
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Post Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:41 am

E36s have locking tabs, but my ends were so silly tight there's no way they'd ever have budged even without locking washers.

Guides say to use vice grips on the ends, but I found my viscous spanner fitted perfectly and meant I didn't have to butcher anything. Did have to extend the handle with a pole to get enough leverage though!
cheers,

harry
DanThe
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Post Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:19 am

32mm spanner, or a nice pair of stillsons :D