tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Hi Guys. 3 months ago my e30 ( alloy body ) steering rack failed and there was fluid everywhere. So that was alright i got a second hand replacement and put it in, has been going perfectly ever since until........ I felt a terrible notch / click when turning, This steering rack is not leaking but i have been told by people to check over tie rods and ball joints and anything else that might be causing some slop. I have had the torch under the car while running and checked over such things to no result. i only get the notch in the steering when the car is running, but i have been told it is very unlikely to be the pump so it could only be the steering rack ? all the tie rods and ball joints have been replaced and appear to operate correctly. After more inspection i removed the rubber boots and had a look at the rack itself and noticed it seemed to be moving up and down as the wheels turned. ( i hope to shove a dial gauge on this tonight and measure how much vertical play it has ) I am certain this is not meant to be like this. Now questions. 1. Are the alloy body E30 steering racks known to have a lot of issues ? 2. Are the earlier Cast Steel E30 Steering racks known to have less issues and be more reliable ? 3. Would i be right in assuming that later model E36 steering racks while very similar ( and documented to fit e30's ) would be a re design of an E30 rack and such reliability issues may have been solved ? 4. Would I be correct in assuming it pointless to install an older Cast Steel e30 steering rack into the car and the best option would in fact be a E36 steering rack ? yes the car has suspension modifications and I do like sporty driving. 5. Can E30 steering racks be rebuilt on your bench top at home, and are the parts available ? Part of me wants a rebuilt rack since I am rather annoyed about having to replace it AGAIN. but I am also temped to a quicker E36 rack...... Help Please ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3series 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) check the universal that joins the steering rack to the umm.. steering shaft thing (cant think of name) too. Edited January 4, 2009 by bmw3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Yep, my old one was stuffed and it has been replaced but symptoms are exactly the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 E36 rack into an E30 is not a straight forward job. Theres quite a bit to do. I read about it on another forum. It involves modifying the steering shaft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 There is a good step by step instruction for a e30 to 36 rack swap on e30 tech, ill try find the link. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JiB 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 I thought for RHD cars it is a bolt in job? No modifying (unless you want to retain the power steering?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 I have found various write ups on it, but they have all been for LHD drive cars. I would be willing to modify a steering joint as i have a spare. The only usefull info I found is this > http://www.bmw-rallying.co.uk/forum/viewto...d0405235d5fd00d Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 6 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Heres the conversion for a right hand drive. Hope its some help. e36rackconversion.zip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 That is very detailed and certainly describes building the correct steering joint very well. Top job finding that nick. But coming back to my earlier questions 5. Can E30 steering racks be rebuilt on your bench top at home, and are the parts available ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Your better off getting a professional to do it.....less heart ache The head units on the racks can give various problems Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 After Speaking to Peter At Power Steering Specialists in Chch. The alloy e30 racks seems to have a weakness in the housing where the Teflon rings inside can move up and down and groove out the housing internally, this could point towards the binding I am having. Have been quoted $250 just to have the housing machined and sleeved not including other required parts. Also Quoted $50 for them to dismantle the rack to see if its even fixable as in some cases they are not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2009 I got a spare e36 rack and stuff if you want it have it for $50bung Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 6, 2009 I have picked up an E36 Steering rack, looks very very similar it should work no troubles and the bonus is if it don't i can always return it. Big thanks to Nick for finding the RHD Steering Joint Information, from this i have developed a better drawing to send to my engineer to have a spacer made up as a test run. If the install of the steering rack is a success I might consider having a set of 4-5 spacers made to sell on Bimmersport members wanting to do the conversion. This is my proposed drawing to send to the engineer, I am hoping to "TEST" install this setup in the weekend. Don't bother going and having this made untill i confirm the setup works. Otherwise you use my drawing AT YOUR OWN RISK. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spottswoode Report post Posted January 7, 2009 What about something like this http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?c...products_id=169 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 6 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Big thanks to Nick for finding the RHD Steering Joint Information, from this i have developed a better drawing to send to my engineer to have a spacer made up as a test run.No problem mate. Had it in an archive saved just in case someone wanted that info. Glad it helped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Will the rack swap need a cert?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) ^ As if anyone will notice! Edited January 7, 2009 by tastic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Will the rack swap need a cert?? Technically.......YES Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 There is a very high chance I will get it certified, probably throw a 2.5 motor in and make it worthwhile. It will be worthwhile for the sake of not having the e30 alloy rack fail every 4 months. I like things being tidy, If Riley can get a V8 certified I'm sure a bolt in steering rack will fly through, Its just like wheel spacers You do need a cert but so many people do run them anyway. But i do Agree 100% that a cert is really the way to go, I will probably have a Chat with Wayne Martin From Vehicle Certification Services who lives Locally. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted January 11, 2009 I was just down at mossrax wgtn rack specialists, he said the same thing about the e30 steering racks alloy being soft as to the point where oil eats into them and they fail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted January 11, 2009 I have the E30 & E36 rack on my bench right now and the 36 rack seems much beefier in the cast housing and i think the main shaft running through it is a larger diameter also. Looks like a much stonger rack which aligns with the fact most people say the E36 rack is a lot more reliable than the E30 alloy rack. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
|ncary 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 And has less turns lock to lock, great all round. I'm looking at one of these, trying to find the best quality brand still, in the whole mid-term e30 supercar goal I have: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/HOWE-21-STEE...-DUTY,7732.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drifty325i 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 And has less turns lock to lock, great all round. I'm looking at one of these, trying to find the best quality brand still, in the whole mid-term e30 supercar goal I have: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/HOWE-21-STEE...-DUTY,7732.html How on earth do these work? VERY interesting indeed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
