E30 M50/52 swap Power steering pump and steering rack?

Post Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:37 pm

Right been years since I started my M50 swap but now I finally have a garage of my own I can crack on.

I nearly had it all working a few years back but my power steering pump kept leaking profusely every time I started the car, I was leaking out of the self-levelling suspension ports that have been blanked off I had the pump reconditioned and this was still a problem. This is my current set up can anyone tell me if I need to replace something else to get it all working.

M50 engine with M52 Crank, Conrods and Pistons
Engine was originally from a E34 auto tourer
Power steering pump is the original attached to the M50
Steering rack is the original E30 316 auto rack

My assumption is that the 316 rack isn't man enough for the M50 pump and that it is leaking at its weakest point. Does anyone know if I have the right combo of stuff or do I need something else?

Post Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:13 pm

what have you blanked the ports off with? I'd replace the p/s pump with one without the self leveling ports.

Post Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:22 am

As above, fit an E36 pump

Post Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:25 am

dooce wrote:what have you blanked the ports off with? I'd replace the p/s pump with one without the self leveling ports.

They were blanked off with the standard blanking plugs that BMW use if the car doesn't have self-levelling suspension. Now I think about it I also bought a pump without the blanking plugs and fitted that but then it leaked out of the unions that bolt to the pump.

I've looked on the E30 Zone wiki but can’t find any mention of steering but found this on another site.

http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-e30-m50-swap.aspx

"Steering:

When you get your engine try to get the power steering pump and hoses with it. It is a good idea to replace your rack when you are swapping the engine. The rack in an M50 powered car is almost impossible to replace without considerably lifting up an engine or dropping the sub frame, the oil pan sits very close to the steering rack."

It mentions replacing your rack when doing the swap but doesn’t say what for

I'm sure it must be an issue with miss matching components but I just know which bit is the issue.

Post Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:26 am

DanThe wrote:As above, fit an E36 pump

Does it matter what E36 its from?

Post Sat May 16, 2015 12:36 am

e36 M5x pump.

the recommendation is to upgrade the steering rack to e36/e46 while you have the engine out. the e30 rack can be used, it's just not as good. DanThe has the spacers and PAS pipes that you need if you decide to upgrade to the newer rack.

Post Sat May 16, 2015 9:47 am

You will want one from an E36 320i or 325i

Pipe kits available for the rack swap

Post Tue May 19, 2015 1:31 pm

Can you not use 328i rack?

Post Tue May 19, 2015 2:33 pm

Yes you can but an E46 is so much better and can be had for £50 odd, the desirable purple tag 3 turn racks are about £70 now

Post Tue May 19, 2015 4:46 pm

Purple tag in fb page for £30, bargin.

Post Tue May 19, 2015 9:40 pm

I have got a doner 328i so pointless spending the money I mean is it worth the extra £30?