Steering rack swap for 540?

[CarlfromBoston]

I have searched, but still not sure what the last word is on swapping in a steering rack in place of the steering box.
I am just not happy with the steering feel from the box.
Thanks

[camaroguy]

Seems like it would be extremely difficult with the V8. From what I understand BMW went to a rack in the E39, but kept the box for the V8 because of space issues.

[CarlfromBoston]

Seems like it would be extremely difficult with the V8. From what I understand BMW went to a rack in the E39, but kept the box for the V8 because of space issues.

I know, it makes me consider an e39 with a rack- inline 6 instead of V8.

[Analog]

I know it has been done before. I'm sure it's more work than it's worth though..I'll see if I can dig anything up for you.

I had a e39 528i for about 6 months, and honestly I felt like the steering was almost too twitchy...However, I've been driving mostly E34's for the last 5 years, so I feel like a well sorted front end has about the perfect response.

[Layne]

Your box is probably worn out. There's nothing wrong with a properly working gearbox system.

[CarlfromBoston]

Your box is probably worn out. There's nothing wrong with a properly working gearbox system.

I have a remanufactured box from Rem Steering, and I might get them to swap my reman box for another one.
I don't like how much I have to turn the wheel when driving. My other car, a 928 Porsche has a rack and it has spoiled me with how precise and quick it is.
I still think a rack would be better than the box...

There's so much that I love about this e34 540, but the steering to me really is bad enough that I either want to fix it much better or move on to another car; but even the e39 v8's are a steering box again, and that only leaves some sort of 3 series? I like the e34 better than the e39 and e36 and e46.

[CarlfromBoston]

Is it possible my power steering pump needs to be replaced? What would the symptoms of too low pressure be?

Is the M5 box an upgrade? I dont have servotronic.

[xatlas0]

Is it possible my power steering pump needs to be replaced? What would the symptoms of too low pressure be?

Is the M5 box an upgrade? I dont have servotronic.

It sounds like you want a higher ratio, not more steering feel.

A failing pump will whine under load, usually quite loudly. Low pressure will cause delayed steering response, as the reduced pressure will not have enough impulse to push the internals fast enough. If you have low pressure, though, the pump would whine quite a bit.

As I recall, the M5 box does have a slightly higher ratio than stock, but I'd do some more research on that before buying anything.

[sbeckman7]

I'd like to find out as well. Mine has some play in it and it's very annoying. I've already tried to adjust it, didn't do much if anything.

[moroza]

Euro Nation swapped a rack into a 525iT with an LS1. Those motors are a good bit narrower and shorter (height) than the M60, but I don't see how they could take up less room under the cylinderbanks, where the clearance issues with any kind of steering would show up.

Recirculating ball setups weigh roughly twice as much as a rack, have far more moving parts to go wrong, and are sloppier even when perfectly set up. However, they are less prone to clearance issues, as the steerbox input shaft can be mounted outboard of the driver's side inner tierod joint, which is impossible with a rack.

FYI: Lexus LS, Infiniti Q45, and Benz E420 are just three of many cars with DOHC V8's and a steering rack. I believe all of these are rear-steer as well.

[Sam Son]

Boxes suck...they just do... even when brand new they still suck. Rack swap is doable on a V8 but the motor will need to be moved back 2 or 3 inches.

[jingjoh]

The ratio in the 540 box is not the best admittedly, but my steering is pretty sharp on the move, my only complaint is a tiny notch feel when moved slightly side to side across the centered point, just wear I guess. (and no its not telescopic shaft etc, I have adjusted every little thing I can find in this car!)

All my tie rods, joints, rubbers, shocks, shock mounts etc are new, all mostly lemforder, UCA are Wokke with the spherical bearings, these make a huge difference in the way the car responds to steering input, its very hard to describe how my car feels now, nothing like a stock E34, even one thats all new.

I also get to drive an E39 540 M-Sport regularly, and its steering is also very sharp and focussed with good feedback, I would not have picked it as box from the driving feel.

Not sure if the M-Sport version has a quicker ratio, will get his manual and have a look, does anyone know if the E39 540 box fits the E34?

Ignore last question, the fiche pictures tell all, look to be completely different boxes.

[elic]

got the same issue on mine .... the stirring could be much better. I have just installed all new suspension and all bushings, but stirring is not sharp ... drives me creasy :mad