Z4 Rack - 3.0 turn, fully manual rack - Fits and Works Great

[rob0r]

This is heavily documented on R3vlimited but I couldn't find a RHD example of this being done. If you don't know Z4 racks are fully manual due to z4s having electronic column power steering. I bought a rack of ebay for £70 delivered, but had to buy the Z4 linkage seperately for another £40 delivered. My car is a 1986 320i prefaclift, M30 engine swap.

I fitted it into the rear steering rack mounts on the front subframe and it fits exactly like the E36 rack (and all other newer racks?) that it was replacing, so needed the spacers since the rack is thinner than the E30.

The steering arms / track rod ends were exactly the same as what was on the previous E36 rack, and I believe they are E30 items. They bolt right up to the Z4 rack.

The steering linkage is the key part of the swap, and for safety reasons I'm not going in depth into how I did this. All I would say is you need to competent, know what you're doing or get a professional to do this.

The fact is the Z4 linkage is needed and needs modifying (shortening, no welding needed). I read on r3v that the column UJ splines were a direct fit to the E30 column, when I came to mine it turns out they were different. What I ended up doing was combining the steering column end UJ ending up with the E30 column clamp UJ half onto the Z4 linkage.

My car is a prefacelift 1986 so not sure if the steering column splines changed over the years.

If you want more actual photography of linkage mods then they are on r3v. I'm actually redoing my linkage as I'm not 100% happy with it.

Results: Fully manual 3.0 turn rack, smooth as hell, feels great. Seems to have more angle on full lock than the old E36 rack.

If you're drift orientated, the existing 4mm lock spacers that I had on the E36 rack work perfectly with this rack

Do this at your own risk etc etc

[Superleggera]

I did this conversion over a year ago. I have since swapped it out as on my setup the steering was too heavy - although I run 245/40/18's on the front.

I still have the rack and linkage if anyone wants to buy it but I would say that if you are running big wheels then you will want a powered rack.

[ross_jsy]

Sounds like a good option for the rally crowd using an EPAS column from a Corsa or similar.

Will something like Dan's shaft with e34 knuckles not work?

[Motorhole]

I've been umming and ahhing about this for a bit. I'm not averse to muscling the steering a bit but at the same time, don't want to go through all the effort to find I hate it, just to save the weight & pipework of the PAS system - and the E46 CS rack is very good.

Only on 205/45/16 mind.

[Superleggera]

Youre more than welcome to take my rack and linkage to try it out - if you don't like it just return it. I think it would be totally fine on 16" wheels. (Also in my case I have a heavy s54 lump in the front)

I have a genuine CSL rack in mine now - I have to say it is sublime. Might not have the same extremely direct feedback as the manual rack but you can really take the car by the scruff of the neck now.

[rob0r]

Sounds like a good option for the rally crowd using an EPAS column from a Corsa or similar.

Will something like Dan's shaft with e34 knuckles not work?

I'm not sure, it depends if the steering linkage splines are the same (I don't think they are) and the length needed for the shaft between the UJs. The z4 has a very long pinion and the spline is nearly up to the exhaust manifold, so I would think the shaft wouldn't be short enough.

[Motorhole]

Youre more than welcome to take my rack and linkage to try it out - if you don't like it just return it. I think it would be totally fine on 16" wheels. (Also in my case I have a heavy s54 lump in the front)

I have a genuine CSL rack in mine now - I have to say it is sublime. Might not have the same extremely direct feedback as the manual rack but you can really take the car by the scruff of the neck now.

Cheers mate, that's a fair offer! I seeked out a mate who I know has a non-PAS car for drive to see how it felt as it's been so long since I've driven one. After doing that today I've finally decided that the comfort and confidence afforded by the PAS rack outweigh the benefits of the non PAS rack for a track car. So I think I'll keep the E46 Clubsport rack for the time being

[handpaper]

Got the bits for this a few weeks ago, not had time to have a proper look at fitting it.
It doesn't help that I'm using a top-mount turbo, so the downpipe (2.5") is a tight squeeze past the steering linkage. Does the Z4 setup occupy the same space as OE or is it offset in some direction?
I'll certainly fit it eventually even if I have to remake my downpipe; according to weight figures from realoem the conversion could save up to 10kg, which at the front of the car is quite a bit.

[HRH-squidlips_III]

i fitted one about 2 years ago just took it off and installed a 067 rack a few months ago the install space is exactly the same as soon as id done so i regereted it as the z4 rack felt so much more precise as where you wanted to go but as my situation had changed
car was intended as a weekend car-track car the z4 was perfect but as a dd it was a pain parking etc below 5mph once moving it was just as light as p/s
if i did it again and i would if it wasn,t my dd i would move the bottom of the steering column towards the engine if you have the space so the articulation on the top knuckle wasn,t so acute not a big deal but it does make the steering a little stiff on a particular spot
certainly does save some weight delitingall that power steering stuff, pump pipes reservoir and fluid

[HRH-squidlips_III]

if you need some advice etc just holler

[jerseytim]

I've fitted the z4 rack and corsa power steering column with an electric adjuster for the steering assist. The z4 column fits direct to the corsa splines. i leave the variable adjustment on about half way for normal driving, turn it down a bit in the wet and full assist for parking. i took some pictures while doing it if anyone is interested

[DanThe]

Welded steering column, awesome,,,,

[rob0r]

So... I know I started this topic but my Z4 rack is coming out in favour of a 067 purple tag! I really enjoy the Z4 rack but I was finding on long track sessions I was exhausted manhandling the steering so much with sticky tyres and no assistance!

It works great, but I guess I'm just not beefy enough....

[jerseytim]

fit a corsa electrically assisted column, works great and not expensive