e46 rack fitted

[rix313]

From what I can tell the E34 UJ is split in two. The guibo bolt on section is removed from the E30 UJ's and replaced with the E34 pieces?

Do you have any photo's of your linkage fitted?

then joined the two bits of the linkage with some bit of aluminium spacer. Make sure the bolts you use are perfectly shouldered to fit into that e30 column, this will stop the linkage from twisting or anything. This spacer shortens the linkage by a few mm, i'm guessing about 5mm.

Any chance you have more specific dimensions?

[Kieran_n22]

The E36 and E46 racks both use the same spline on the input shaft, you got any pics of this different E36 spline?
BTW you should fit PAS racks to the rear holes in the subframe, the front holes are for manual racks.

oh no now I find out lol

[redcar]

From what I can tell the E34 UJ is split in two. The guibo bolt on section is removed from the E30 UJ's and replaced with the E34 pieces?

Do you have any photo's of your linkage fitted?

then joined the two bits of the linkage with some bit of aluminium spacer. Make sure the bolts you use are perfectly shouldered to fit into that e30 column, this will stop the linkage from twisting or anything. This spacer shortens the linkage by a few mm, i'm guessing about 5mm.

Any chance you have more specific dimensions?

Nafraod not. Hopefully someone else can be along for better info.
I didn't feel it is safe to completely remove the rubber guibo and solely bolt the two bits of linkage, as it means the linkage is too short and doesn't go far up enough into the pinch bolt bit.

I can measure the thickness of the alu guibo as its perfect for spacers above the rack and rack on forward holes.
However, someone will have to tell you the right bolts and shoulder width you need.

There is a kit however, which you can purchase from America.

[redcar]

Rix, have a look at all this for the alu spacer. It's the perfect solution and far better than some other bodges I've seen.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... onversions

[DanThe]

The above linkage build is a very nice job and a proper way of doing things but it is no slimmer than the normal E30 linkage.

The E34 UJ's are to be used with the custom splined shaft as shown below

[mwggriffiths]

The above linkage build is a very nice job and a proper way of doing things but it is no slimmer than the normal E30 linkage.

The E34 UJ's are to be used with the custom splined shaft as shown below

From what I've read (Possibly in this thread) the clearance issue with the M42 is the UJ on the rack end fouling on the cylinder 1 manifold?

If that's true then will a custom E34 UJ linkage be any use at all? (I'm thinking no?). I understand the need for one on an M52 for example which wasn't designed around an E30, but for an M42?

P.S. I've not forgotten your PM, waiting for payday

[redcar]

The lower uj clears the manifold when new engine mounts are used with the m42

One with an m42 can't benefit from an E34 uj setup when trying to help clearances to the manifold

[mwggriffiths]

The lower uj clears the manifold when new engine mounts are used with the m42

One with an m42 can't benefit from an E34 uj setup when trying to help clearances to the manifold

Thanks for confirming that. I might build it up as is with the E30/E36 hybrid for now, see how the clearance is and go from there - engine mounts are a 5 minute job when you have the proper tools

[DanThe]

The E34 UJ and splined shaft setup wont help with clearance at the rack end, only in the centre of the linkage where the rubber section usually is

Realistically, you need to move the manifold/engine

[redcar]

The lower uj clears the manifold when new engine mounts are used with the m42

One with an m42 can't benefit from an E34 uj setup when trying to help clearances to the manifold

Thanks for confirming that. I might build it up as is with the E30/E36 hybrid for now, see how the clearance is and go from there - engine mounts are a 5 minute job when you have the proper tools

I'd recommend going with the e46 067 rack as they're about £40 and are a much easier swap compared to the e36 rack swap. E36 rack requires the hybrid linkage due to the different splines on the e36 rack input shaft. However, you already know that, and by the sounds of it have all the tools to sort out the bits you need

I take it that you're fitting it to an m42 the ?
I'd strongly strongly recommend poly mounts as I wouldn't feel comfortable driving on standard engine mounts with the linkage so close to the manifolds.
I have poly engine mounts on my m42 and some cheap copy e21 gearbox mounts

[mwggriffiths]

I'd recommend going with the e46 067 rack as they're about £40 and are a much easier swap compared to the e36 rack swap. E36 rack requires the hybrid linkage due to the different splines on the e36 rack input shaft. However, you already know that, and by the sounds of it have all the tools to sort out the bits you need

I take it that you're fitting it to an m42 the ?
I'd strongly strongly recommend poly mounts as I wouldn't feel comfortable driving on standard engine mounts with the linkage so close to the manifolds.
I have poly engine mounts on my m42 and some cheap copy e21 gearbox mounts

I've had the rack from a E46 Compact for a while now - 50mm/rev ~2.9 turns lock to lock should make it... erm... pointy

I saw some polybushed mounts available in the US for ~£100 or something Where did you get yours?

I think I'd prefer rubber mounts to be honest - most of my new suspension bushes are rubber for a reason (The exception is the anti roll bar bushes - there is no benefit to rubber over polybushes there in my opinion because there isn't the same load transfer through them as there is through, say, the lower control arm bush so it won't increase the harshness of the ride)

[DanThe]

I'd recommend going with the e46 067 rack as they're about £40 and are a much easier swap compared to the e36 rack swap. E36 rack requires the hybrid linkage due to the different splines on the e36 rack input shaft.

The splines are the same and are in the same place on both racks.
Swap process is exactly the same.

[harry_p]

i was getting worried there. i've got a 3 turn e46 rack to go on to my e36 and was worried i'd suddenly need to change something else too

[redcar]

I'd recommend going with the e46 067 rack as they're about £40 and are a much easier swap compared to the e36 rack swap. E36 rack requires the hybrid linkage due to the different splines on the e36 rack input shaft.

The splines are the same and are in the same place on both racks.
Swap process is exactly the same.

Im fairly sure they aren't the same, as the e30 uk didn't fit on the e36 rack. I'll take a photo of it to show you.

I got my polybushes from revshift, they're sactially very good and their design is great. That rack from the compact is the right one then if it's 067 and is roughly 3 turn.

[Screacher]

I have an E30 316 shell with a M20B25 motor for track use (tho I do drive to and from the circuits too). It currently has the standard non-PAS rack fitted. I run R888s and as you can imagine, it's a bit of a bu99er parking it but fine once moving. I was thinking of changing the rack for an E36 one, but I believe all these were PAS (please correct me if I'm wrong). I have since heard that the E46 is a better swap, which seems confirmed above.

Question is - do any of you have an E46 rack with the PAS disconnected? Would it work and would it make the steering even heavier? Magpie Mick thinks it would. I don't think I want to go as far as fitting PAS to the old girl tho.

[redcar]

I have an E30 316 shell with a M20B25 motor for track use (tho I do drive to and from the circuits too). It currently has the standard non-PAS rack fitted. I run R888s and as you can imagine, it's a bit of a bu99er parking it but fine once moving. I was thinking of changing the rack for an E36 one, but I believe all these were PAS (please correct me if I'm wrong). I have since heard that the E46 is a better swap, which seems confirmed above.

Question is - do any of you have an E46 rack with the PAS disconnected? Would it work and would it make the steering even heavier? Magpie Mick thinks it would. I don't think I want to go as far as fitting PAS to the old girl tho.

It's very very difficult without the PAS, i have a massive steering wheel on my e30 and when rolling around without the engine on, its very difficult to turn the steering wheel. However i don't know if it is heavy because of me having to put extra effort in to push the PAS fluid around.

I've seen someone make a bracket that connects the two holes in the rack so it makes it non PAS.

[maxfield]

I ran an E36 rack with no powersteering last year and it was dog awful to park but the feel was great when driving. Although due to me drifting I need powersteerign because changing direction at low speeds was hard.

[rix313]

I saw some polybushed mounts available in the US for ~£100 or something Where did you get yours?

They're $151.99 from Revshift which is about £97.

[redcar]

I saw some polybushed mounts available in the US for ~£100 or something Where did you get yours?

They're $151.99 from Revshift which is about £97.

Yes when I got mine it was 15% off because it was new year, so it was a bit cheaper

[0010]

So regards to it passing an MOT without the rubber gubbo how do we go about this? As i cant get an MOT as the steering has been modified beyond manufactures Specs. How can the rubber part be put in. Ive got an 318is with 067 rack fitted.

Cheers Sam

[DanThe]

Are you in a strange country or something? I put plenty of heavily modified cars through MOT's with no problems

[mwggriffiths]

So regards to it passing an MOT without the rubber gubbo how do we go about this? As i cant get an MOT as the steering has been modified beyond manufactures Specs. How can the rubber part be put in. Ive got an 318is with 067 rack fitted.

Cheers Sam

The E30/E36 hybrid UJ setup from the wiki keeps the rubber joint.

But I defy any MOT tester to notice its missing unless they really know E30s (And if they do they'll probably know its safer without one than with a knackered old one)

[daimlerman]

But I defy any MOT tester to notice its missing unless they really know E30s (And if they do they'll probably know its safer without one than with a knackered old one)

I no longer have a rubber 'guibo' in the steering linkage,a solid alloy part in one car and a stainless steel one in the other,both pass the MoT man with no questions asked.

[0010]

Are you in a strange country or something? I put plenty of heavily modified cars through MOT's with no problems

Nah im not haha, but when you work with MOT testers and they know what youve done and think its unsafe they wont put a ticket on it . will that e30/e36 hybrid fit on the E46 rack?

[redcar]

No, it wont fit. I have tried it, the splines on the e36 uj are different to the ones on the e30 and e46. It simply won't fit.

[e301988325i]

Are you in a strange country or something? I put plenty of heavily modified cars through MOT's with no problems

Nah im not haha, but when you work with MOT testers and they know what youve done and think its unsafe they wont put a ticket on it . will that e30/e36 hybrid fit on the E46 rack?

Do let us know where you work?

[mwggriffiths]

No, it wont fit. I have tried it, the splines on the e36 uj are different to the ones on the e30 and e46. It simply won't fit.

Where did you get your E36 UJ? Mine fits to the rack fine, and its an E30 section that connects to the column as I understood it, so that'll fit too

[redcar]

No, it wont fit. I have tried it, the splines on the e36 uj are different to the ones on the e30 and e46. It simply won't fit.

Where did you get your E36 UJ? Mine fits to the rack fine, and its an E30 section that connects to the column as I understood it, so that'll fit too

So you got the e30 splined uj to fit on the e36 spline?
Very odd, maybe my rack and uj are of an odd e36

[mwggriffiths]

No, it wont fit. I have tried it, the splines on the e36 uj are different to the ones on the e30 and e46. It simply won't fit.

Where did you get your E36 UJ? Mine fits to the rack fine, and its an E30 section that connects to the column as I understood it, so that'll fit too

So you got the e30 splined uj to fit on the e36 spline?
Very odd, maybe my rack and uj are of an odd e36

I don't have a 'male' E36 spline, only female splines on the E36 UJ assembly. I have the 'male' E46 spline on the steering rack, on to which both the E36 and E30 Lower UJs fit. I will use the E36 item as per the wiki article, bolted (through a spacer and rubber damper) to an E30 upper UJ which will fit to the 'male' spline on the E30 steering column.

I'll take some pictures later because the Wiki photos are TINY! (And the .zip is broken too!)

[redcar]

That method is exactly what my brother did back 5 or so years ago.

I'm using the spacer still on my e30 linkage in space of the rubber bit, ive bolted it through the same two holes, as obviously the distance between the two holes on the e36 uj are wider than on the e30 item.

I'm still not convinced that the splines on an e36 uj are the same as on the e30 and e46 uj

[HairyScreech]

at the rack end the splines are the same, at the car end they differ. e30 column has larger splines.

as in an e30 one will only fit one way up, an e36 one however has the fine spline both ends.

[Motorhole]

I'm still a little confused by all the info here...to clear things up:

1) So the e46 rack, when fitted correctly on the rear holes, works perfectly well with the stock E30 linkage albeit with the rubber guibo removed?

2) If fitted as in 1), will the linkage clear the manifolds for an M52? If not, can the manifolds be modified to clear, or does the linkage need to be modified...or worst case, both?

Cheers.

[Silverfang]

I'm still a little confused by all the info here...to clear things up:

1) So the e46 rack, when fitted correctly on the rear holes, works perfectly well with the stock E30 linkage albeit with the rubber guibo removed?

2) If fitted as in 1), will the linkage clear the manifolds for an M52? If not, can the manifolds be modified to clear, or does the linkage need to be modified...or worst case, both?

Cheers.

Curious to know too , but with engine options M20B25 with both a normal manifold and 6 branch.

Cheers!

[Jozi]

I ran the E46 rack with the rubber guibo removed, did has some manifold clearance issue's with right hand corners taken at some speed. This was with a m42 engine, the clearance was solved by rounding the UJ's and a small spacer under the engine mounts.

My M52 is getting modified UJ's and a straight spline from Dan.

[DanThe]

Standard M52 manifold is a no go, they need modding.
E36 or E46 or Z3 rack used in the rear holes with spacers above the rack (the correct mounting point) will work with M20 standard manifolds and the linkage minus rubber part. Its a bit close but new engine mounts should prevent any exhaust/linkage contact