Author Topic: steering rack  (Read 18704 times)

beegeezy

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steering rack
« Reply #45 on: April 26, 2008, 10:18:36 PM »
tjts1, Why didnt you loop the lines? Will you run into difficulties with that? When turning, the fluid left in the rack will still want to go somewhere, and if it had nowhere to go I could see it adding resistance to the steering? Or am I just crazy? :D
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tjts1

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« Reply #46 on: April 27, 2008, 01:07:54 AM »
Looping the lines sounds great in theory but in practice it will add more resistance to the rack. I completely drained the rack of oil before capping it. The air in my empty rack puts up less resistance than oil would in a looped system. There is this theory floating around out there that an empty rack will wear itself out very quickly. Thats simply not true. Oil does not lubricate the rack and pinion. It is greased from the factory. Its perfectly safe to run a depowered rack without oil.
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This is whats wrong with your car.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2742
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Frankie

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« Reply #47 on: April 27, 2008, 01:13:41 AM »
Quote from: keflaman;47932
Well, it didn't turn out to be plug-n-play like I hoped. After seeing and reading Justin's explanation of his lower joint, I thought I could separate the two joints I had and build what I needed.

  Here's a shot comparing the two racks. The top rack is from an E36. Notice the length difference of the steering joints.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/CIMG0261.jpg

  The spindle on the lower steering column does not line up with the steering rack spindle, so from what I can surmise I will need the double U-jointed steering joint in order to make it work.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/CIMG0266.jpg

  I re-assembled everything and will wait for the joint I ordered to come in.

  Bummer:(


Yep, that is excatly what I have seen and heard. The steering rack is different compared to US cars.

If you can find a solution, let me know!

keflaman

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« Reply #48 on: April 27, 2008, 07:06:50 AM »
Quote from: Frankie;47992
Yep, that is excatly what I have seen and heard. The steering rack is different compared to US cars.

If you can find a solution, let me know!


I have no doubt if you were to find two of these http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/...9c6038a1_o.jpg you could join the two u-joints with bolts and bushings to build what you need.

Frankie

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« Reply #49 on: April 27, 2008, 10:04:23 AM »
Quote from: keflaman;47999
I have no doubt if you were to find two of these http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/...9c6038a1_o.jpg you could join the two u-joints with bolts and bushings to build what you need.


Link does not work...

keflaman

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« Reply #50 on: April 27, 2008, 01:12:48 PM »
Quote from: Frankie;48003
Link does not work...


http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/E30Joint.jpg

Frankie

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« Reply #51 on: May 02, 2008, 12:04:22 AM »
Keflaman, any news of your project?

keflaman

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« Reply #52 on: May 02, 2008, 07:40:43 AM »
Quote from: Frankie;48325
Keflaman, any news of your project?


The steering joint was shipped out two days ago from California. I should see it in a week to ten days. Maybe sooner.

keflaman

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Pretty Much PnP
« Reply #53 on: May 12, 2008, 02:35:18 PM »
Quote from: keflaman;48356
The steering joint was shipped out two days ago from California. I should see it in a week to ten days. Maybe sooner.


I received my steering joint late last week and finally got some time to try installing it tonight. I bought my steering joint on eBay from "bavarianbmwparts". Do a search for "E30 steering joint". I made them an offer they accepted and they included free shipping as well. Can't complain about that.

I was surprised by how easy everything went together. The steering joint didn't need any modification and although it's pretty close to the firewall, it's not catching on anything.

I didn't need to bend the tabs where the rack mounts nor did I have to raise the engine for clearance. Makes me think something may be wrong:confused:

I'll stack up some washers or find something to make spacers to stick between the upper tab and steering rack tomorrow. A quick toe alignment and I should be ready to drive and see how everything feels.

colin86325

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« Reply #54 on: May 12, 2008, 07:07:50 PM »
Damn, they want $90?

I have one that I'll ship for $45 (in the US).