Z3 1.9 Rack issue

[JungleGus]

Fellas,

I have the Z3 1.9 rack with the DanThe conversion bits - I'm finding that there is a slight amount of play in the dead ahead position.

Is this normal for the rack (because I believe it's variable ratio???) or just because it's an older rack?

Not concerned enough about it to go through PITA of changing it, but may look into switching it out longer term.

Cheers,
Gus

[jmc330i]

1.9 Z3 rack isn't variable ratio AFAIK, it's only the E36 3.0 M3 that has the horrid variable ratio rack.

[HairyScreech]

Is the play actually in the rack?

I find there can be play in the inner joints and the column ujs a lot of the time.

Also bear in mind that when the wheels are turned and the car is static there will always be a thrust of the wheels trying to straighten up, so this might be masking slight wear at all points.

Other thing is the dead ahead position is the most likely to be worn, all z3s are now pretty old and an E46 rack might be a better shout.

[JungleGus]

Actually - I have no idea if it's the rack itself, that's just what it feels like. The tie rods, etc are all fairly new I think. I'll do some investigating. Thanks fellas!

[HairyScreech]

It's not just the outer tie rods, the inner ones have ball joints on them, these wear and feel sloppy.

E36/z3 ones seem a little more stout and are cheaper for some reason but only fit with e36 outer rod ends.
If the inners are worn and the outers are not new then just do the lot along with the rack change.