steering rack conversion for m30

[oze30]

I think my steering rack is on the way out. What rack can I put in considering I've got an m30 in it now.

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

You can try an E36 one, but it depends entirely on your exhaust manifold whether it will fit.

[oze30]

well its a standard manifold.. just trying to find out if anyone has done the conversion.

If the e36 does fit, which one will give less turns lock to lock but still has the same ackerman angle etc? (If I remember correctly, the same angle of the front wheels ie: turns the same amount or more.)

[Brianmoooore]

E36 rack has less turns, but gives the same suspension geometry. It's not a straight replacement, but all the details are in the forum archives. Use the search function.
Can't answer as to whether it will clear the M30 manifold, but if I move this to "engine swaps" I'm sure there's someone there who can.

[oze30]

Cheers

[oze30]

Just been thinking, I got play side to side, could it be the rubber donut thingy in the coupling and not the rack?

[gareth]

driftboy has a E36 rack in his 335i if that helps

[oze30]

driftboy has a E36 rack in his 335i if that helps

Do you know which one he has off by hand?

[Brianmoooore]

Just been thinking, I got play side to side, could it be the rubber donut thingy in the coupling and not the rack?

When you say "rack is on the way out" , I assumed you meant it was beginning to leak!
Play in the steering, on a power rack, will most likely be the coupling, tie rod inner joint, or track rod end.
Can't imagine you could have rack bore wear on a power rack without it leaking.

[DRIFTBOY]

I have put an E36 rack with an M30 conversion.

It isn't without it's issues though!

The exhaust manifold with the long steel part which goes to it's downpipe flange needs to be cut and welded to clear. This then totally throws out the angle of the downpipe so that has to cut and welded too.

I'm still getting contact between manifold and steering coupling if I turn left violently so I need to re-cut and weld it to give more clearance, or I might try up-rated engine mounts.

I plan to fit a Z3 rack soon also, they use the same fittings as E36 rack but has even 'quicker' steering, but are generally dearer to buy.

Martin.

[oze30]

I have put an E36 rack with an M30 conversion.

It isn't without it's issues though!

The exhaust manifold with the long steel part which goes to it's downpipe flange needs to be cut and welded to clear. This then totally throws out the angle of the downpipe so that has to cut and welded too.

I'm still getting contact between manifold and steering coupling if I turn left violently so I need to re-cut and weld it to give more clearance, or I might try up-rated engine mounts.

I plan to fit a Z3 rack soon also, they use the same fittings as E36 rack but has even 'quicker' steering, but are generally dearer to buy.

Martin.

Will the z3 still have the same issues with the manifold contact?

When you say "rack is on the way out" , I assumed you meant it was beginning to leak!
Play in the steering, on a power rack, will most likely be the coupling, tie rod inner joint, or track rod end.
Can't imagine you could have rack bore wear on a power rack without it leaking.

I didnt think about the donut thingy.. Should have been the first thing I checked. If I have to drop the rack to change the donut, I was thinking it might be easier to just swap in another rack.[/quote]

[DRIFTBOY]

Yes, I'll have the same issue with Z3 rack as the E36.

You'll need the E36 coupling too, as the splines on the rack are different.

There have been a few threads on fitting these racks but I'm at work and shouldn't be on here so I can't find the links just at the moment!
Worth doing a search - I think there is a recent one in the 'track days / motorsport' section.

Martin.

[Brianmoooore]

If I have to drop the rack to change the donut, I was thinking it might be easier to just swap in another rack.

You don't have to "drop the rack" to change the coupling. All you have to do is slacken the LH rack fixing bolt a fraction and remove the RH one.
Right hand end of the rack can then move forwards far enough to change the coupling.

[SPADGE]

Come on Col tell them

[oze30]

it was the donut. See e30 chat.

Only took about 40 mins. Didnt need to drop anything out. Just unbolted the 2 bolts in the joint and prised it off. Top first, then the bottom.

Quite fiddly considering I had bugger all room due to m30