## Steering / Steering Rack Help Please ##

[Carmo13]

Hi all,
I own a 87' Tech 1 Sport which I recently discovered has an E36 M3 steering rack fitted.
I have some steering problems at the moment including intermittent heavy steering, random crunch/notchy feel and noise and also but less importantly a squeaking noise when steering.
To date I have carried out the following work and checks:
# Checked for leaks around PAS fluid reservoir, PAS pump and the steering rack with nothing found
# Checked PAS pump belt tension which is fine
# Checked PAS fluid level which is good
# Fully cleaned and lubricated the upper steering column bearing
# Cleaned and lubricated behind steering wheel including large washer and carbon contact

The front suspension has all been recently rebuilt so we can assume for now that this is all ok.

Now, I realise that intermittent heavy steering points towards a failing pump, but what about the crunch/notchy feel?

One thing I have noticed that is worth a mention is that the car looks to have a standard steering linkage fitted, even though it has an E36 M3 steering rack, shouldn't the standard linkage be too long for this set up?

Lastly, for now, I have been looking into alternative steering racks and have come across some conflicting "so called" facts.
I have been told that a Z3 rack is the same as an E36 rack except for the lock to lock number, yet the table on the "fitting a faster rack" page in the wiki states that a Z3 rack requires no modification of the steering linkage, yet an E36 rack does?
Can anybody clarify?
P.S. I know that people will probably tell me to use an E46 "purple tag" rack but if a Z3 rack will save me having to modify my new stainless downpipes, I would rather go down that route.
I realise this is all a bit mixed up but any help will be appreciated

[jimmyspeed]

the z3 rack has matching splines and fits without linkage - tend to be more expensive like you said but if you look around/can wait they can be had cheap - i have one on my project

can't help on the rack diagnosis really but sounds like it could be internal problems in the rack - who knows what they've done to fit on the standard linkage ? (pictures) could be a bodge

[Carmo13]

Oooh, I see. So a Z3 rack has the same splines as a standard rack so the standard linkage will fit, but does the standard linkage need to be shortened with a Z3 rack?

[jimmyspeed]

no - and you should already have the rack spacers to raise the height and custom steering pipes, though these could be in a different position

[Carmo13]

I have just got myself a Z3 rack for £25 which isn't too bad at all.
I think I will fit this and see if some of my problems go away.

[HairyScreech]

I have said a few times in the past about this "conflicting" information.

I have yet to see an e30 with a rack with splines other than those used on the e36/e46/z4 racks.

My understanding is that the e30 steering column has coarse splines and the e36/46/z3 column has the same fine spline as the rack.

Thus it is the steering column that has the different spline.

This is just my experience of this.