problem with e36 steering rack into e30

[Dingo 1]

I just completed swapping out the e30 steering rack for a e36 rack. Have taken it for a quick test drive and the car feels almost scary to drive. Any slight turn of the steering wheel makes the car want to steer off the road.

I'm not sure if this would be fixed with wheel alignment (which I have booked for tomorrow) or if there is some problem with the rack that makes it over sensitive. Maybe I connected the control lines the wrong way after I bent the pipes which is unlikely but possible.

I also replaced the shocks with monroe gas shocks from Euro Italian. Is it possible that there is a difference in length of the shock that would affect the handling in this way?

[Allanw 1052]

I'd get the alignment done first (assuming everything is tightened etc).

It may have excessive toe out, and a slight turn creates more drag on that side and it tried to launch that direction.

If you want to guestimate it, you can use two overlapping sticks to measure from rim to rim, front and back of each rim... although I'd be surprised if you could get the sticks high enough to do it on an e30.

[*Glenn* 854]

Swapping a rack from one car to another, especially from an E36 into an E30 is going to change the alignment. There are always slight differences in components. I would get the alignment checked / done first and work from there.

[hybrid 1039]

Youll be running too much toe in for your front camber. This will make it darty as you mentioned. I had the same issue when I did mine. (z3 2.7 turn rack not e36, same diff)

As other have said, full wheel alignment and you wont know yourself.

[Dingo 1]

Your spot on hybrid. I adjusted the tie rods out 2 turns each and after that the handling was much better. I was confident enough to drive to the wheel alignment place then. It was still out a fair amount by a fair amount which meant I was getting a bit of bump steer but the handling was predictable at least.

Now after an alignment it is sweet as.

Clearance between the steering linkage and the exhaust is concerning though on the lower part of the universal joint which attaches to the steering gear. It just clears when cold but was rubbing slightly after sitting in traffic on the way home. Might have to take a dremel to the joint.