Steering rack coupling...

[jaistanley]

I have posted this in here because it applies to those of us with 'in the way' manifolds:

What is the diameter of the steering column splined (and cotter pinned) end? Is it the same as the input splined sectin on the steering rack too?

Is this diameter the same as the escort by chance? Recently in PPC, one of the guys had to make a steering coupling and used Escort group A universal joints. I wondered if I could make the same thing when I convert to E36 rack and install S50 manifolds.

How do the kit car guys do it? Presumably someone out there is making a variety of steering u/j's they can use to fit the Allegro/Metro/Escort/Custom steering racks to their Allegro/Sierra/Randon steering columns....

These UJ's could be joined/welded with some noce thin bar and provide more clearance for the crazy manifolds..

Anyone?

Jai

[Jhonno]

I was thinking bout something like this the other day.. could make things alot easier!

[e30_Turbo]

I too read that article in PPC and thought it would be a usefull thing to do!

You guys wanna try get a 3inch pipe down passed and under the steering column, it aint fun I can tell you!

If you could reduce the overall diameter of the coupling that would be a bonus also.

Other than that, LHD would solve all of these issues

[Jhonno]

appears to be 18mm outer dia then 17mm inner - ie splines are 0.5mm tall if you see what i mean..

[ian332isport]

I don't know what size the spline is, but I do know it's different on the steering column shaft than it is on the rack. It's much more chunky on the steering column.

You can also be sure that it's a metric spline on the BMW, and imperial on anything British and old (Allegro/Metro/Escort etc).

Ian.

[Dan318-is]

Ian while your here, what rack guibo is needed if an e36 rack is being used? an e30 or an e36 one?

[ian332isport]

Ian while your here, what rack guibo is needed if an e36 rack is being used? an e30 or an e36 one?

Dan,

I used the E36 one. It's a much more solid design than the E30 version, and also a smaller diameter.

Ian.

[Dan318-is]

not for my benefit you see; its for jhonno's; would an e30 one fit tho, say it it were aluminium also:

http://www.muzzimotorsport.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=33

(down the page a bit)

[ian332isport]

not for my benefit you see; its for jhonno's; would an e30 one fit tho, say it it were aluminium also:

http://www.muzzimotorsport.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=33

(down the page a bit)

I don't think it would fit if you were using an E36 rack as the hole spacing is different on the E36 couplings.

Ian.

[Jhonno]

Could prob do with a more accurate form of measurement then.. they both appeared to be the same dia tho.. E36 rack btw

[jaistanley]

I have both outside but no means of measuring.. Might treat myself to some verniers tomorrow and get on the phone to rally design and some kit car suppliers..

Ian: I didn't think you used the guibo for the e36 rack, I thought you used a mix of e36 and e30 parts with a specially machined aluminium spacer. Did I get the wrong end of the stick?

Jai

PS: my foreign isn't very good.. On that same page, are those E30 M3 to E46 M3 disk spacers/adaptors there for 199 euros? I was going to get mine machined but thats cheap enough to just order them now.

[ian332isport]

Ian: I didn't think you used the guibo for the e36 rack, I thought you used a mix of e36 and e30 parts with a specially machined aluminium spacer. Did I get the wrong end of the stick?

Jai

Jai,

Correct, but you still need to use the E36 rubber quibo.

Have a read through the tech article and check out all the photo's.

Ian.

[Dan318-is]

thanks ian thats saved a lot of time and hastle!