getting rid of the steering Guibo (Not Febi)

[kramerica5000]

I saw on this write up about doing a e30-e36 M3 steering rack conversion where the guy has made his own aluminum disc to replace the rubber Guibo and thereby stiffen up his steering:



http://e30m3performance.com/installs/installs-3/e36rack/index.htm (scroll to bottom)

I'd like to do something like that on mine. I was wondering, what do you guys think of just taking out the rubber piece and rotating the shaft 90 degrees so the holes line up and just putting a bolt through with a spacer? It would look something like this:



This is based on the assumption that these holes would line up. whatdiya think?

[jfdublyu]

it sounds like it could work, but given that my car is a DD and I don't employ racing harnessess or roll bars or drive wearing a helmet, i took note of the disclaimer at the bottom of the page:

"Note: Don Fields from Mr M-Car points out that the modifications to the steering coupler shown above, namely the solid Guibo and the bolts used to lengthen the coupler, both reduce the ability of the steering column to telescopically collapse in an accident. I drive with a roll bar and a 6-point harness, and I make a conscious decision to accept this change to the steering column. Make sure you think about it too, should you decide to follow suit"

Sounds like it could work though, good luck if you decide to try it

[sheepdog]

Don't do it.

You will feel much more of the road with a solid one.

[kramerica5000]

OK here is a new idea that my dad came up with (used it on his 2002 back in the day). I might just put a thin steel plate over the guibo. This would allow the rubber to do its job, yet diminish torsional flex. If i can get some other work done on the car this weekend I may try and do it. I'll post pics if I do.

[2002maniac]

I did exactly what you are taling about when I swapped in my Z3 rack.  Works great and the vibration/harshness are barely noticeable.

[kramerica5000]

I did exactly what you are taling about when I swapped in my Z3 rack.  Works great and the vibration/harshness are barely noticeable.

Did you put in a steel plate, or get rid of the rubber altogether? got any pics?

[kramerica5000]

I did exactly what you are taling about when I swapped in my Z3 rack.  Works great and the vibration/harshness are barely noticeable.

Another thing, how did the z3 rack installation go? Did you buy a kit or did you do it all yourself? What modifications did you have to make to make it fit? What  kind of Z3 is your rack from?

I'm really interested in doing this to mine. Would love to see any pics if you have them. Most of the write ups are for cars without airbags, and ours look a bit different.

[nickmpower]

I did exactly what you are taling about when I swapped in my Z3 rack.  Works great and the vibration/harshness are barely noticeable.

same here, no difference


if you search on r3vlimited i wrote some stuff about both removing the guibo and installing the z3 rack thats worth looking at

[2002maniac]

Another thing, how did the z3 rack installation go? Did you buy a kit or did you do it all yourself? What modifications did you have to make to make it fit? What  kind of Z3 is your rack from?

I'm really interested in doing this to mine. Would love to see any pics if you have them. Most of the write ups are for cars without airbags, and ours look a bit different.

I did it all myself and it went rather easily.  No kit needed.  I had to make two aluminum spacers as the mounting points of the racks are thicker for the e30.  I also had to slightly grind the firewall so the column would clear.  

I just bolted the two aluminum peices together.