gjm 3258 Report post Posted May 16, 2015 Hey guys, the guy I bought my car off gave me two steering racks with it as he was planning to swap at some point. He told me one was an e36 m3 evo one but I been racking google for the part number and all I can find is one's from an E46 of some sort and the other an E36 318... Not sure if anyone can shed some light but would appreciate if they could. These are the part numbers: First one (e46?): ZF 7852 974 491 BMW 1 096 908 Second one (e36?): ZF 7852 955 242 BMW 1 141 609 0 im not getting a hit for the first, can you check BMW part number? the second i am getting E36 and Z3, possibly case is the same for both with different innards? The first one appears to be from a 3-series E46 2.0 diesel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted May 16, 2015 Just check turns on both. One with the black hook on the spline is definitely a e46 rack. Other looks e36. E36 is 3.4 turns. The only ones worth bothering is e46 clubsport rack, 3 turns lock to lock or z3 2.7 turns. More expensive but I'm sure a e36 3.4 turn and whatever the other is makes an improvement over the 4 turn e30 rack. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) Hmm. Anyone have a club sport one for me?? Edited May 16, 2015 by potatomash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted May 16, 2015 The labels would have been different colours, green or voilet I believe this also de-notes what they are and number of turns. Brent touched on this subject some time back when someone was asking for a Z rack also try looking at some Ti ones I know mine has the 2.7 in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted May 17, 2015 E46 sport rack is purple. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HELLBM 1560 Report post Posted May 18, 2015 Have a few E46 sport racks. (3 turns) $350 each Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Swapped my e46 rack in tonight. Clearance between the headers and steering knuckle isn't good..about 2mm or so, that's using an e36 u joint. The e30 knuckle actually doesn't even clear it...Anyone else run into this? I'm gonna get some AKG poly motor mounts which will hopefully lift the engine a bit and give some more clearance? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Something looks wrong there, the steering input shaft on the rack looks like it is stick out way too far than most racks. What car was that rack from again? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 It's from a 330ci. Purple tag ending in 067. It normally has a plastic cover on it which I temporarily removed for test fitting Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Oh right. Still looks way too long compared to ones I have seen. I had one 2 months ago wasn't that long, it did have the black plastic cap over it too but it's very similar in size to the e30 one if you have it to compare Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Ok so here it is with and without the plastic cover on, still look too long..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Oh so the bottom of the plastic is flush with the rib bit on the rack? Edited June 2, 2015 by potatomash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) RIght, yeah thats basically where mine does too (wit the plastic sleeve off) Edited June 2, 2015 by potatomash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Just double checked mine, That plastic sleeve makes it look deceivingly longer when it's taken off. Not sure what is up with that though, I had ample room for mine even with M52 headers which sit alot closer than e30 ones. Weird. Edited June 2, 2015 by e30ftw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 You should keep that sleeve on and just trim that black plastic thing a bit. Makes lining the steering up way easier if you are by yourself. Also, it can only go in so far as you can't get the bolt through if it's too far in/not far in enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Yes I will keep the plastic bit on and was planning on trimming . That's not really my problem though, clearance is. Might try get one of those vauxhaul corsa linkages as they look smaller Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 What e30 is this and with what motor? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 1988 coupe standard m20b25 motor Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Can you not just use the standard e30 linkage and cut the rubber out and bolt together? I have a sh*t load of room with m52 and Eaual headers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 The e30 U-joint doesn't even clear the headers, it actually hits the pipes :/ like so... Either my motor mounts just fully suck and are sagging big time or something is out possibly out of line (subframe..?). Dunno, what to do, I'm hoping my poly mounts coming in the mail are going so solve my problems Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Did you put the rack spacers above or below the tabs? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Above, below makes even worse Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30ftw 410 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 How about a picture of your engine mounts? They must be farked Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
musccoo 82 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 So mounts look fine , slight lean on them but nothing much, my cars only done ~70000miles so kinda to be expected. Does any one know the factory width spec? doubt they have shrivelled much by looking at them - one side is only about 2mm lower than the other Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Weird. Just space the motor up with some big metal shims, wont need much by the look of it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
