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Thread: rack spacers

  1. #1
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    rack spacers

    i just got some washers i plan to use as spacers 1"oD .75iD"
    i was wondering if there is any other options for spacers out there? im going to try to install them on my spare rack tomarrow.
    any one have pics of them being installed? possibly a walk through i have a decent idea of what im doing just want to see some tried and true methods.
    Last edited by mo gun e36; 11-27-2010 at 06:07 PM.

    Jacques Cousteau could never get this low

  2. #2
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    just make sure there nto any larger then the part of the tie rod that goes into the rack.

    E30 Turbo 2.8L - 60ft - 1.70 :: 1/8th - 6.99 :: MPH - 105.47 :: 1/4 - 10.66 :: MPH - 132.53
    Daily E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.790 :: 1/8th - 8.20 :: MPH - 84.68 :: 1/4 - 12.81 :: MPH - 107.05
    *RIP* E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.944 :: 1/8th - 8.64 :: MPH - 80.00 :: 1/4 - 13.55 :: MPH - 99.95
    Cool2seat's TTstg1 E36 M3 - 60ft - 2.123 :: 1/8th - 8.44 :: MPH - 87.71 :: 1/4 - 12.94 :: MPH - 107.95

  3. #3
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    ^+1.

    Steps:

    1. Secure car then jack up the front.

    2. Remove wheels.

    3. Loosen the outer tie rod ends from the knuckle.

    4. Loosen the inner tie rods from the rack.

    5. Mark the inner tie rod where the outer was at on them and mark them closer to the rack the same distance as the spacers.

    6. Adjust the outer tie to the previously made marks.

    7. Insert spacers and reassemble.

    Pretty much a quick rundown of the process. Also tools needed will be a 14mm, pipe wrench (or proper size for inner tierod), and a sharpie marker. I think that the most of it. It's a pretty simple task and shouldn't take more than an hour or so.

  4. #4
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    anyone got a pic of where it goes?
    -Andrew Mensah




  5. #5
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    its super basic, just pull back the dust cover, unscrew your inner tie rod from the steering rack, remove the limiter washer, slip the spacer over the threads and screw it back into the rack and re align. Done.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirty30 View Post
    its super basic, just pull back the dust cover, unscrew your inner tie rod from the steering rack, remove the limiter washer, slip the spacer over the threads and screw it back into the rack and re align. Done.

    This, and I forgot to mention the limiting washer.

  7. #7
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    and loctite. i should be doing this today. mensah ill take a few pics for you if you'd like

    Jacques Cousteau could never get this low

  8. #8
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    pics please

  9. #9
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    Taken from BreakDancer's build thread.


    Quote Originally Posted by BreakDancer View Post

  10. #10
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    thanks, thats horribly out of focus lol, but that works. i guess ill have to take it apart and see for myself.
    -Andrew Mensah




  11. #11
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    Heres 2 pics to get better view.





    This is a 4mm spacer.


  12. #12
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    These are actuly pretty much what I ended up doing. Ended up a little better than the washers( Wich I still have grade 8 washers 1 x .75 I have 3 for each side)
    I might put those on my other steering rack from the 328
    I hear 1.8 z3 racks are really good is this true?

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  13. #13
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    ^ they will yeild you less steering angle though, the rack is internally shorter.

  14. #14
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    What is the biggest spacer that we should put on our steering racks? Most people use a 4 to 5mm spacer correct? Anyone have any insight on this?

  15. #15
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    ^ most people I have seen do 5mm since aparently the rack runs out of teeth and you don't get any benefit out of larger than 5mm. But thats based off other people since i personally have not done rack spacers.

  16. #16
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    I talked to a guy in europe and he claimed 7mm was the limit. But he also claimed it was too much angle (started majorly hitting stuff).

    I have 5mm spacers and had to add 1" spacers onto my et25 17x8 front rims AND add E46 control arms to clear. Now I slightly rub on the control arm. Ackerman boo.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  17. #17
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    I also think 5mm will be the apropiate max size, in my personal experience the first time i installed 4mm they where rubbing pretty bad and i took them off, but that was mostly because o my stupid front wide tires (245/35/18).

    Then the second time i installed the same 4mm but with 225/40/18 with a 5mm tire spacer it does rub but only under load but its minimal,
    thats with stock e36 control arms and a 5mm tire spacer, depends also on the rim offset two the outer the better.

    im guessing that with the second setup (4mm, 225/40/18) and 1" spacer will stop the rubbing but i think i need to modified fender to accept the 1" spacer and i dont want to get in to that now.


  18. #18
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    ^ yeah the biggest reason I don't run rack spacers was with my previous wheels I was rubbing the frame even with just the rack limiters removed. I have much lower offset wheels now so i should be able to run the spacers. Now the problem is that I am like 5K miles away from my car.

  19. #19
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    spacers vs limiters? can i see a pic of the limiter? i would go and look but its 30degrees out this morning in florida.
    -Andrew Mensah




  20. #20
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    The limiter is just a larger OD washer.

  21. #21
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    i got a crap load of spacers pm me if anyone wants some there about 2.25mm thick so you can stack them 2 on each side for 4.5 spacers

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  22. #22
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    i need to put back my spacers but need 1" tires spacers, you guys think i can get away with mi 4mm rack spacers a 5mm tire spacer and 225 or 215/35/18 tires in front?, i think maybe but dont know.


  23. #23
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    I've got E46 control arms and 1" wheel spacers. I'm at like 2.5 inches out from stock lol.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  24. #24
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    well with 17X7.5 +38's I rub just taking my steering limiters off.

  25. #25
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    so i still have a crap load of spacers left if anyone wants a set i've sold them to a few people a couple on BF.c i haven't heard any negitive feed back on them,

    pm me for info

    Jacques Cousteau could never get this low

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