Steering rack guibo delete

[jasso]

Fitted a e46 purple tag rack to my e30, the e30 linkage is a tad too long and can be resolved by deleting the guibo what's the views?

[jmc330i]

Yup, remove it and bolt the ujs together. Another zoner recommended putting two washers between the joints (one washer per bolt) as the flat surfaces aren't completely parallel.
You may find the bolt holes are the same size in each uj, but some do have different sized holes (8mm and others 10mm from what was said in another thread). I drilled the smaller holes to match the larger on my linkage.

[jasso]

Thanks so I take it that this is a recomended mod too?

[jmc330i]

Plenty of people have done it when fitting E46 racks. The only issue is that it doesn't create anymore linkage to manifold clearance (which may be a problem with a 6 branch or 24v conversion), which is where using two E34 ujs and the splined shaft from danthe comes in.

[capnmchl]

If anything it made my lower UJ closer to the downpipe but it did mean I could move the steering rack into the rear holes, which made the car drive nicer imo.

Yeah, use a washer between the halfs and use locking nuts. Not nylocs though, you'll need the type that are ovaled that you can find around the car.

This part number is the type of nut you want:

07119905374

[jmc330i]

If anything it made my lower UJ closer to the downpipe

It will be closer because the E46 rack spline is at a different angle to the E30 one.
It's not too much of a problem with standard 6cyl manifold and downpipes, but when you start adding a 6 branch or modded pipes for a 24v conversion space becomes tighter.

I'm trying to fit mine with an M42 manifold and thats different again!

[jasso]

Will these be sufficient

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261336652102?redirect=mobile

The linkage looks like this at the moment obviously still need to make up the spacer between the two parts

[capnmchl]

Yeah they should be. I used M8's due to using M8 bolts.

IIRC I had to drill out the nylon insert so that centre peg could fit in the hole.

[BMW_E30vert]

If your on a budget why not try the corsa linkage mod

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ng_Linkage

[jmc330i]

I was able to keep the nylon bush on mine. Its there to centre the joint, but I guess as long as the centre peg is a snug fit in the other uj it shouldn't be a problem.

[jasso]

Yeah they should be. I used M8's due to using M8 bolts.

IIRC I had to drill out the nylon insert so that centre peg could fit in the hole.

So did you trim down the peg and drill the peg hole so the flat surfaces of both pieces we're against each other

[Royalratch]

Will these be sufficient

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261336652102?redirect=mobile

The linkage looks like this at the moment obviously still need to make up the spacer between the two parts

I'm having real issues with mine at the mo Z3 rack to M42.

Its either fouls the manifold or rattles around over bumps. Correct length is everything.

But just looking at this - that linkage could very easily be made adjustable in length with a few more nuts, allowing a perfect fit for any rack / engine combo.

No?

[capnmchl]

Yeah they should be. I used M8's due to using M8 bolts.

IIRC I had to drill out the nylon insert so that centre peg could fit in the hole.

So did you trim down the peg and drill the peg hole so the flat surfaces of both pieces we're against each other

I left the peg, drilled out the nylon in the hole so it would fit in, and fitted a washer between the faces of UJ and shaft. Being cast aluminium, it is more likely to crack/snap rather than bend if you try and force two non matching faces together.

[jasso]

Sorted I'm gonna fit the one end to the colum and the other end to the steering rack and work out how much of a spacer is required.

[jasso]

Why are nylocs not advised?

[jmc330i]

Because the nyloc will melt!