Steering Rack for M3

[virdi325i]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a person or company who can supply and fit a z3/ e36 rack. I have seen left hand racks on ebay for sale so could supply myself ... Just need the fitting sorted.

Plz let me know

Thanks

[Demlotcrew]

Where are you in the country?

[virdi325i]

West London

[Laher]

I'd really like to know a place up north I can get a e46 steering rack put in. I'm near Leeds.

I'd obviously get the kit from Dan, and steering rack myself.

Thanks

[virdi325i]

Kit?? and also why the E46 rack over Z3 ?

[Laher]

I don't know why the E46 over the Z3.

It's more modern ? Plus its just for easier driving (320i). Not an M3 or a race car

[ross_jsy]

Dan does a kit comprising of custom power steering lines and spacers required.

e46 rack are better than z3 ones.

Note than m3's have faster racks than rhd cars.

[harry_p]

Dans kits are only going to be for rhd though, no use for an m3.

And yes, the m3 rack is quicker than the standard rhd e30 rack, but it's still very slow compared to virtually any performance car!

E46 racks are usually chosen over z3 racks because they're about 1/4 of the price, and usually ten years newer, although they're not quite as quick. For a rhd e46 rack you need one with the 067 code. No idea what the equivalent lhd version is.

[ross_jsy]

Was just mentioning what the kit was, same with just saying the m3 rack was quicker. What ratio is it?

Apparently people find the z3 rack "twitchy". I have one mind and don't think it is, however, living in Jersey I don't go on motorways/high speed cruising

[satan16v]

I was just searching these details too...

I want to upgrade the rack in my 325i, as the PAS system is leaking I thought I might as well pull the whole system out.

How many turns lock-lock difference are the Z3-E46 (purple tag)

Why isnt an E36 M3 rack considered?

One more question.... After reading about spacers etc I guess its not a straight fit, what will I have to space if changing to an E46 rack?

Thanks

[harry_p]

E36 m3 rack is completely pointless. It has the same ratio as the standard e36 rack, it just has less turns because it has less lock as there is a spacer / washer between the tiered and rack. And breakers wil charge you £60 for one because it's from an m3, while standard e36 racks can be had for £20

[bmw9818]

whats the turn to turn on the 067 rack?

ive got a e36 m3 one its about 3.2 turns iirc, z3 is 2.7..

the e36 one just bolted straight in with the original uj and just a couple spacers added on, original pipes were just bended to fit

[Andy325i]

E36 m3 rack is completely pointless. It has the same ratio as the standard e36 rack, it just has less turns because it has less lock as there is a spacer / washer between the tiered and rack. And breakers wil charge you £60 for one because it's from an m3, while standard e36 racks can be had for £20

Was this to stop the wider wheels rubbing?

[virdi325i]

so is there anyone out there who knows how to fit this ... and what kind of monies will I need to pay

also has anyone tried a Z3 rack or got has conversion done..... how is it ???

[pacerpete]

I have a complete LHD E36 3.0 M3 rack here.

[harry_p]

E36 m3 rack is completely pointless. It has the same ratio as the standard e36 rack, it just has less turns because it has less lock as there is a spacer / washer between the tiered and rack. And breakers wil charge you £60 for one because it's from an m3, while standard e36 racks can be had for £20

Was this to stop the wider wheels rubbing?

Yep, especially as the m3s run lower and with more camber and castor, the front wheels get very close to the arch liners in certain places at full lock.

There's basically a brass washer with a thick spacer piece which fits behind the lock washer between tierod and rack, so on full lock the spacer on the inside wheel hits the rack casing stopping the wheels turning any further.

Take those washers out and the m3 rack is identical to any other e36 rack.

[harry_p]

Knew I had a pic somewhere, e36 m3 lock limiters, remove these and its a standard e36 rack.


I run an e46 067 rack on my e36 m3 evo

[Fastroad]

I noticed the E46 067 rack is not the E46 M3 rack, is there a difference in installing the E46 M3 Rack?

[harry_p]

I don't think the e46 m3 rack fits, they're quite different to the rest of the e46 range so I'd imagine the rack is different too. I've certainly never heard of anyone fitting an e46 m3 rack to any other vehicle.

[dooce]

research part number 7852974712 from the 09/2001+ 330 e46. supposedly the best one to have and even the e46 m3 guys upgrade to them. Dont have mine installed yet, but will by summer.

[ross_jsy]

e46 m3 racks have variable ratio, slower round the centre of steering and quicker towards to end (it may be the other way round, can't remember)

[Cypriotgeeza]

whats the turn to turn on the 067 rack?

ive got a e36 m3 one its about 3.2 turns iirc, z3 is 2.7..

the e36 one just bolted straight in with the original uj and just a couple spacers added on, original pipes were just bended to fit

I've got an E36 M3 rack that im looking to fit and i just read in the wiki that you need to change the lower half of the UJ

i am now confused lol