Author Topic: Steering Knuckle?  (Read 6098 times)

KevinV

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Steering Knuckle?
« on: May 25, 2008, 01:52:50 PM »
Does anyone know what steering knuckle you need to put an E36 steering rack in a E30?

I bought a E36 318is rack, put the steering knuckle on it is much longer and different than the one they use in the guide below:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247



My E30 is manual steering, and i want to put the E36 steering rack in it but without using the powersteering. So i closed the HP connections, but i didn't find a solution for the steering knuckle.

Frankie

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Steering Knuckle?
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2008, 02:06:59 PM »
If you have Euro version E30, you have buy US version of a steering joint.

btw, the pic does not work since it refers to your own computer. Host it on Imageshack.

keflaman

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The Short Version
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2008, 01:58:37 AM »
Hi Kevin,

  I have an ECE, non-airbag, manual ZF steering rack equipped 318is and installed a 1993 E36 320i steering rack. I used the write-up http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247 to perform the swap, but I didn't require as much work.

  As Frankie pointed out, you will need the non-airbag E30 steering joint (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/Grinding_Rivet.jpg), however, I did not need to modify the joint and add the spacers; it went right in as delivered.

  I did not have to bend the tabs on the subframe or lift the engine to remove and replace the racks; disconnect the tie rods, remove the top/bottom bolts to the steering joint and remove the rack bolts. I then slid the rack sideways while rotating downward and everything came out with no problem.

  Installation is the reverse. Instead of spacers (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/Spacer.jpg) I simply used nuts of the correct height.

  There was a slight bit of binding that required me to remove some material as stated in the write-up (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/keflaman/Knuckle_Grind.jpg).

  Since I didn't have power steering the process of dealing with hoses was eliminated. I left the hydraulic ports open while turning the rack full lock-to-lock a few times. This drained excess fluid out of the rack and I then capped the ports by slipping hose over the banjo bolts and tightened them down.

  I did a quick and dirty toe-in and love the quicker steering response. Although the steering is pretty heavy at low speeds, it's a definite improvement overall.

Frankie

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Steering Knuckle?
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2008, 11:31:29 AM »
How much did you grind from the knuckle? I going to grind it before I install it.

And according to those instructions tie rods should be installed after the steering rack is in it place?