Author Topic: Did all 1990 318is have power steering (Read 3475 times)

manuel · « **on:** April 05, 2007, 10:02:06 AM »

Hi i am new in the forum, I have just purchased a 1990 318is, I noticed it has no power steering, although from the specs that i see in internet it seems as if this model only came out with power steering . Is it posible that this model came without power steering?. Or is it simple disconnected. I would appreciate any help.

ecpreston · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:21:18 AM »

I don't actually know the answer to your question! But if it turns out yours has been removed, and you still have the PS rack, I'm pulling my PS stuff off soon if you're interested. Don't know where you're located, but it'd be easy to ship.

dino245 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:25:09 AM »

The power steering was an option in Europe. It was standard in the US.I removed mine and installed a Z3 rack with out the power steering and love it.

jajou318 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2007, 01:46:24 PM »

Quote from: dino245;22994

The power steering was an option in Europe. It was standard in the US.I removed mine and installed a Z3 rack with out the power steering and love it.

That's what I plan to do! OT where'd you get your rack from? How much?

I need to look for the lock to lock ratios and what I need to replace/do when installing the new rack.

dino245 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:02:09 PM »

I got it from Vines auto in Georga but it was a leaking rack that they sold to me as is for 80 shipped.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2007, 08:02:24 PM »

If you want to go without PS, you can just remove the pump and related hardware, fill the rack with fresh fluid and cap the ends. Not sure what kind of a ratio the Z3 had, but if you want a non-PS quick-ratio rack, the E36 M3 peice is apparently the way to go

dino245 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2007, 09:20:18 AM »

The M3 is 3 turns lock to lock from what I hear, and the Z3 is alittle less than that like 2.7 or 2.9 turns. There is a debate as to the overall travel of the two different racks. Some say the Z3 is fewer turns because it travels less linear distance than the M3 rack but they have the same gear ratio. Either way it is about one full turn less than the stock E30 318is rack. It does not drop right in, there are a few things that need to be changed to make it work. The e30 M3 rack is a direct bolt on and is 3 turns lock to lock. There is lots of info on this subject on this and other sites.

nickmpower · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2007, 02:20:45 PM »

e30 m3 is 3.5. and yes the z3 rack with no ps is amazing

manuel · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2007, 03:30:33 AM »

Quote from: ecpreston;22993

I don't actually know the answer to your question! But if it turns out yours has been removed, and you still have the PS rack, I'm pulling my PS stuff off soon if you're interested. Don't know where you're located, but it'd be easy to ship.

thanks for the offer, i was just curious. After reading the posts I will ask a friend of mine to look out for a Z3 rack, as he spends a bit of time in junk yards. Thanks for the input