e30 to e36 steering rack conversion help required

[anu9y]

Hi everyone

I'm attempting the conversion to an e36 pas rack on my 1987 e30 325i and would like some help with what to do about the pipes and the universal joint.

I've read the instructions on various sites (including this one)
and as I understand it you have to shorten the overall length of the UJ joint (275mm) by approximately 25mm down to 250mm total length.
I would like to know if the guibo (rubber connector) is important or if its ok to do away with it and if the PAS pipes can be bent into shape easily.

I am trying to source both parts from a member on here (dan the) but would like to know if anyone else has managed to get around this problem with either the original pas pipes from the e30 or with the e36 pipes and possibly pas pump which I have managed to get with the e36 rack.

Any help or suggestions will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Billwill]

I have seen some pictures where people have done away with the rubber Guibo altogether....cannot help you with your other questions though!

[suchy]

DanThe is your man for this

There's also quite a few past threads you can have a read through

[ajay]

Using dan's mods and E46 rack.

[anu9y]

I have seen some pictures where people have done away with the rubber Guibo altogether....cannot help you with your other questions though!

Thanks for your reply, Im guessing that the picture by Ajay is what you are referring to...?

[anu9y]

Thanks for the pic Ajay, I have seen this already and this is why I am asking the question.
I guess it must be ok else it wouldn't be recommended.
In terms of the UJ my question is more "how much of a difference does it make without the Guibo?"

Is the job of the guibo only to reduce noise and vibration or does it also allow the universal joints to move smoothly?

[Billwill]

Thanks for the pic Ajay, I have seen this already and this is why I am asking the question.
I guess it must be ok else it wouldn't be recommended.
In terms of the UJ my question is more "how much of a difference does it make without the Guibo?"

Is the job of the guibo only to reduce noise and vibration or does it also allow the universal joints to move smoothly?

I am not sure but the standard non-power steering setup does not use a Guibo so maybe it is used to smooth out any vibrations from the power pump?

[anu9y]

Hmmm, I will report once my conversion is done.
It seems everyone is happy without the guibo so Im sure I will be too.

[G-Bear]

Hmmm, I will report once my conversion is done.
It seems everyone is happy without the guibo so Im sure I will be too.

Yep would say so too. I have Dan's linkage along with his power steering hose kit and a E46 rack. All works fine. No noise nor vibration. I've never heard any complaints from anyone on here.

[anu9y]

Hmmm, I will report once my conversion is done.
It seems everyone is happy without the guibo so Im sure I will be too.

Yep would say so too. I have Dan's linkage along with his power steering hose kit and a E46 rack. All works fine. No noise nor vibration. I've never heard any complaints from anyone on here.

Oh excellent!

That's what I wanted to hear, from someone that has tried and tested it.

You mention the e46 rack, is there an advantage over the e36 rack?
Is it the same to convert e36 and e46 racks?

Thanks dude

[gromgsxr]

e46 rack is newer and redily available iv been using a e46 rack the purple tag 067 for a year or so with the danthe pipes and linkage cant fault the stuff well worth the money. plus 3 turns lock to lock feels a lot better than the standard rack i had before.

[G-Bear]

e46 rack is newer and redily available iv been using a e46 rack the purple tag 067 for a year or so with the danthe pipes and linkage cant fault the stuff well worth the money. plus 3 turns lock to lock feels a lot better than the standard rack i had before.

The purple tag 067 (what the part numb ends in) if I remember rightly is a clubsport rack which was originally on the E46 330Ci.

As said above its 3 turns lock to lock, the E36 racks took more turns lock to lock. If you do a search for 'Steering rack conversions' I'm sure the exact specs come up in a passed thread.

[gromgsxr]

the 067 rack is found on the e46 compacts as well think i paid about £20 shipped off ebay for mine.