Fitting a 1990 Power steering rack to a 86 325i,help please!

[E30325imanc]

Hello fellow E30 enthusiasts,

I recently purchased a 86 325i (chrome bumper) for a decent price, which failed its MOT because of too much play in its steering rack.

Initially I planned to replace it with another manual rack, but was told of the guy stocking parts that a later power steering rack from a 1990 318i he was breaking would fit, only requiring 2 extra bolts for the pump.

My mechanic found that the first problem was connecting the new rack to the steering column, a part was needed to make it fit, which was sent by the power steering rack guy. My mechanic now says the steering wonâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t lock, which doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t sound too good.

To make matters worse, he couldnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t find any brackets or holes to connect the power steering pump. He has a feeling it fits to the bottom of the alternator, but there is nothing for them to attach to there either.

The parts guy, who to be fair has tried to help by sending the steering column part now says that the rack from the later car might not be compatible with mine.

My question is. Basically am I stuffed? Or is there something my mechanic has overlooked and I just need a certain part such as an alternator bracket or similar? If so which one?

I could really appreciate some help on this. What should have been a relatively quick job has taken over two weeks and the longer its on the ramp the more money this is costing me . Anyone in the know please do post some advice as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance!

[zaust]

AARR That there be the bracket !!!!..

[eamo]

the rack will fit. i just put one from an 86 325 into my post facelift 320 which is now also a 325

[E30325imanc]

Hi Zaust, Eamo,

So it will definitely fit? I don't have that bracket you have pictured Zaust. Can I get that from somewhere? and If I could, would it then fit? My mechanic can't find where to fit it in the car! Reckons it fits under the alternator, but there are no holes for it to attach to!

[E30Mark]

the only issue you might have is the hoses are different between a 4 pot & 6 pot car, so i've heard...

[zaust]

Yes the pipe going to the os of the rack is slightly longer on the 6 pot but still fit's ok.

[E30325imanc]

Well thanks guys, at least I know it fits now.

Sorry if I'm asking obvious questions, but where exactly will the power steering pump attach to? I need to tell my mechanic. A picture would be even better

[cliffybabe]

I was told by Stuartgallafant that you cant use a 316/ 318 on a 320 or 325, but you could fit a 320/ 325 rack to a 318/ 316 is this not the case?????

[eko]

E30325imanc

Pretty sure i have all the brackets you need,do you want me to check?

[E30325imanc]

Yes please EKO

[eko]

Ok,do you have the main Pump/alternator mount?

[E30325imanc]

Hi Eko,

No it doesn't as far as I know, otherwise my mechanic would have fitted it to the bottom of the alternator. Is this the part I need then? I did take a photo in the garage, but not sure how to email from my phone to my PC grrr!

[eko]

Ok heres what you need -

[Martinaston]

Sorry to backtrack but is the play in the rack or in the ball joints at the ends of the rack ?
If its the ball joints then there was no need to swap the rack, just the tie bar links between the rack and the wheels.

If its too late for that and the new rack is already in the the best thing to do is use the old pump and just attach the new pipes to it. They do fit, there just at different angles to the other one.

If you do it that way of even if the pipes have been removed you MUST fit new crush washers on the ends of the pipes because if you re-use the old ones they will leak. They only cost a few pence and will save you all the greif later on.

[Martinaston]

eko
That bracket looks like its off the M40

[E30325imanc]

Thanks Martina,

Well it was a manual rack before, the new one, should hopefully be power assissted. I really should have consulted the forum before I sent the car to get it fitted. I'll know better next time. Anyway thanks for all your help guys, especially eko, who is sending me the offending parts. I'll let everyone know how I got on. Pray for me!

[eko]

eko
That bracket looks like its off the M40

Off an M20 mate

[ausbmwboy]

i just finished fitting a rack from a 323 (84-86?) onto my 320 (89). fit no probs...
except the father in law likes getting things to line up by hitting them with hammers and we broke the mount on the new rack
we then rebuilt the old rack with the parts from the new rack and fitted it back in.

hope now you got the right parts its smooth sailing mines fantasic now.

[zaust]

eko
That bracket looks like its off the M40

m40 bolt's straight to the block if i rember correct.

[Brian28]

I put the engine from a manual rack into a pas car (M20) a couple of weeks ago, the main alternator bracket is different and has bolt holes for the extra pas pump brackets to bolt to. Hope that helps. Also, the pas rack mounted to the bolt holes nearest to the crossmember (the two main bolts that hold the rack), the manual rack mounted to the bolt holes furthest away from the crossmember, the ones nearest the front of the car.

Brian

[E30325imanc]

Just wanted to tell everyone I got my power steering fitted, but not exactly happy. My long term mechanic, who has always been reasonable charged me Ԛ£200 to have the thing fitted. This is a backyard cash only outfit mind, so I feel like I've been ripped off a bit. It's left bad taste in my mouth, as has the berk who promised I would have all the parts needed for the conversion in the first place.

Anyway, I have no complaints for the help from the forum and just wanted to thank those who helped, especially eko, who sent the parts before receiving payment. Hope you got the cash mate, and be nice to deal with you again at some point.

Thanks again everyone