M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: bmwman91 on October 26, 2007, 12:28:25 AM
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I finally got the rack in the mail today. $220 shipped from a place I found on http://www.car-part.com and it was in good shape. 105k miles on it, no leaks at all. It is from a 1997 Z3 1.9L, which means it has the 2.7 turn gear ratio. That will sure beat 4 turns on blown end seals!
Anyway, since I still have some special-order crap in the mail, I did some prep work today.
As you can see, it was a tad dirty, and had old tie rod assemblies. I purchased new ones, as well as new boots (and just about everything you can imagine). I rebuilt the PS pump 2 months ago, and also got a new resivoir and new hoses (minus the high-pressure line...no leaks in it and it is $240 f'n dollars). I had wire-brushed it before the picture.
(http://bmw.e30tuner.com/images/articles/z3rack/bmw001.jpg)
A little further apart.....
(http://bmw.e30tuner.com/images/articles/z3rack/bmw002.jpg)
I decided that I wanted this thing CLEAN. Despite the fact that it is already pretty weather-resistant, I opted to go overboard. I began the prep-work. Some MEK and brake cleaner came in handy for this.
(http://bmw.e30tuner.com/images/articles/z3rack/bmw003.jpg)
I am addicted to the PVC / under-carriage paint stuff (No, I do not huff it). It is something I strive to apply to anything that goes under the car, so long as the part does not get terribly hot. This stuff has a pleasing texture to it as well (this is the stuff you repaint the rocker panels with).
(http://bmw.e30tuner.com/images/articles/z3rack/bmw004.jpg)
And a little closer up...
Don't mind the masking-line around the input shaft area. There is a rubber boot that will cover that. I will also be repacking the rack teeth & shaft with fresh lithium grease.
(http://bmw.e30tuner.com/images/articles/z3rack/bmw005.jpg)
I am not sure if I want to tackle the install this weekend or not. I have to fly to Seattle on business from Sunday-Wednesday, leaving Friday evening & Saturday to do this. I also have to get it aligned afterwards, which means I need to get it done by like 4PM Saturday, because this has to get me to work next Thursday. While I am down there, the control arms are getting replaced as well (thinking of putting some nifty PVC paint on those as well). I might have to hold off on this until I get back, although it will be even harder due to a weekend with GF & best friend from college.
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I am addicted to the PVC / under-carriage paint stuff (No, I do not huff it).
I'll huff it!!
what's the brand and p/n for this paint?!
looking good!!!
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I'll huff it!!
what's the brand and p/n for this paint?!
looking good!!!
yah thats good stuf... I'm in love with SEM bumpercoater.
i have a saying... "if it aint plated, paint it" :D
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I use some stuff by 3M, called Undercarriage Paint or something similar. $8.99 for a large can.
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Nice...I just finished doing conversion on mine. '95 M3 rack though.
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Will you post pics from the installation process? I would love to see how it goes as I plan to do this soon myself.
The rack does look sweet after your paint job.
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Nice! Definitely keep us posted on the install..
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Sure thing. I plan to document the process. And yungguy, who's the chick in the avatar? Looks like a real sassy one lol.
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Looks great so far. Keep us posted with the pics. I like the paint as well.
Dan.
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Well tittysprinkles, the special parts are delayed a few days. Looks like I will not get to this until I get back from my business trip. If I can take this coming Friday off, I will do it then. Otherwise, my weekend is occupied with the GF and an old friend and it will have to wait until the following weekend.
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And yungguy, who's the chick in the avatar? Looks like a real sassy one lol.
Wanted to ask that too. :D
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Wanted to ask that too. :D
Kay Valentine... Shes one of the more famous import models.. From London with a thick accent, so fuckin sexy..
I asked her to do something fun and thats what she threw at me, then laughed..
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/shutterflick/IMG_1783.jpg)
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LOL, nice.
I have a question for anyone who may have done this, regarding the tie-rod lock plates. When I took the old tie rods off of the rack, there were none. RealOEM does not list any in the bill of materials either for the rack I have. The E36 M3 rack has them listed. Does the Z3 rack not use any? It seems a little dangerous that way...
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LOL, nice.
I have a question for anyone who may have done this, regarding the tie-rod lock plates. When I took the old tie rods off of the rack, there were none. RealOEM does not list any in the bill of materials either for the rack I have. The E36 M3 rack has them listed. Does the Z3 rack not use any? It seems a little dangerous that way...
I would get some lock plates :) My e36 rack has em..
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Well, I purchased the ones for the E36 rack back when I was getting everything. When I took the used unit apart, there was nothing in there resembling them. The ones I have are like big washers with a little tab and a semi-circle welded on. You have any pics of what I am supposed do to with these?
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Well, I purchased the ones for the E36 rack back when I was getting everything. When I took the used unit apart, there was nothing in there resembling them. The ones I have are like big washers with a little tab and a semi-circle welded on. You have any pics of what I am supposed do to with these?
You know, they may be the locks.
I'll try to get under the car and snap some pics for ya.
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Again, for reference, there are no lock plates listed in the BOM on RealOEM for this rack. The other E36 cars have them listed, but not the 1.9L Z3. I have a hard time believing that there is no securing plate when every other BMW has them!
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Again, for reference, there are no lock plates listed in the BOM on RealOEM for this rack. The other E36 cars have them listed, but not the 1.9L Z3. I have a hard time believing that there is no securing plate when every other BMW has them!
Can you show me in the pic?
(http://bmwfans.info/original/images/3888_p.png)
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I use some stuff by 3M, called Undercarriage Paint or something similar. $8.99 for a large can.
where did you get the paint from? i need to repaint my rocker panels here soon...thank you
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As for the paint, any old car parts store should have it. Just look for the rubberized undercoat stuff.
As for the lock plates, Stuck cleared that up. Apparently a number of racks don't use them...Loctite is the solution in this case.
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The E36 rack and short shifter are the two most enjoyable mods I have done so far. They make the car feel a lot newer and much better. The high pressure line is pricey. I got one made at a hydraulic hose shop for $60. They soldered the BMW banjo fitting to their new crimp fittings and hose.
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Is it possible to do that the rack-mod to a non-power steering car (e30 318is)?
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Is it possible to do that the rack-mod to a non-power steering car (e30 318is)?
No reason you could not have a custom line made to just loop from one outlet to the other. Would work fine this way.
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Is it possible to do that the rack-mod to a non-power steering car (e30 318is)?
Non power steering cars require a change to the steering shaft coupler. There is a write up on R3V about it.
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Sure thing. I plan to document the process.
It would be nice to have photos or a drawing of the modification of plate #6. I took shaft part #1 out and then removed plate #6. I cut it so that the lower part of the opening for boot #4 was rotated clockwise (looking from the front of the car). I made an aluminum patch for the open area that was left and pop riveted it to #6. It's a lot easier with #6 out of the car. The angle of the pinion housing is different on the newer racks and they move the lower end of shaft #1 toward the center of the car.