Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Rack and pinon alignment?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    texas
    Posts
    520
    My Cars
    1998 328is

    Rack and pinon alignment?

    I was in the middle of doing a oil pan diy and when removing the rack and piņon from the steering shaft I forgot to mark the positions before removing and now they are all out of alignment from turning the wheels accidentally. how would I align the rack and steering column shaft from scratch?

    Like Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and then turn the rack to the left by hand then connect them back up? or is there a proper way
    98 328is/5 Arctic silver
    99 528i 5speed Alpine white(Totaled Unfortunately)
    Oil pan and timing chain delete, weight reduction right?
    98 540i/6 (New baby)











  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Austria
    Posts
    1,143
    My Cars
    e36 323i, M3 3.2
    I'd straighten the wheels as good as possible. I've used a piece of wood with a laserpointer taped to (hold it on the side of the rim by hand) it for a similar situation to help kind of find out if the wheels are straight. Not 100% accurate.

    Then bring steering wheel in neutral position and connect it together. See from there if it needs a little more to one side or not.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Oneida, NY
    Posts
    6,370
    My Cars
    1993 318is/who to knows
    Forget what the measurements are, but pretty much center the rack by getting both sides of the rack arms equal lengths. Then center the wheel... You get the point. Really, it doesnt matter. You can move the wheel to match the rack. Whats most important is getting the alignment to match the center of the rack. Everything else can be adjusted with no matter.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    McKean township Pennsylva
    Posts
    10,542
    My Cars
    1999 M3 , 1999 328is
    I did this procedure recently when installing a Z3 rack. I centered the rack as close as possible, then connected the wheel in the centered position. After that I string aligned the toe using the tie rod adjustments.

    String aligning is quite easy but requires a helper to hold the other end of the string. I also like to take a quick drive up and down the road to check alignment with the straightness of the steering wheel.

Similar Threads

  1. TurnerMotorSports e36 rack alignment tool
    By tekviper in forum Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing sponsored by Bimmerparts.com
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-22-2008, 09:35 PM
  2. WTB: z3 or E36 Rack and pinon steering, hose, pump
    By DucHuynh007 in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-12-2007, 03:49 AM
  3. Alignment problems / Steering rack rebuilt
    By Daved in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-02-2006, 11:37 PM
  4. Bust my rack and pinon.
    By M32NV in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-14-2005, 06:42 PM
  5. Steering rack alignment
    By equate975 in forum 1987 - 1991 M3 (E30)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-04-2005, 06:44 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •