325e steering rack

[DBog90]

The power steering rack on my 1984 325e is shot. It was losing fluid, and the boots on both sides were full when I pulled them. I cannot find a rebuilt rack anywhere, so I am debating whether I buy the kit and do it myself or do a swap to the z3 rack. My preference is to keep the car stock, but I don't want to try the DIY and then have to turn around and replace the rack again because I messed it up. Not in a huge rush, I have other cars to drive. I guess another option is to remove the rack, send it for rebuild, and then reinstall? Any thoughts, suggestions? Thank you!

[82eye]

The power steering rack on my 1984 325e is shot. It was losing fluid, and the boots on both sides were full when I pulled them. I cannot find a rebuilt rack anywhere, so I am debating whether I buy the kit and do it myself or do a swap to the z3 rack. My preference is to keep the car stock, but I don't want to try the DIY and then have to turn around and replace the rack again because I messed it up. Not in a huge rush, I have other cars to drive. I guess another option is to remove the rack, send it for rebuild, and then reinstall? Any thoughts, suggestions? Thank you!

whatever you do don't go to rack doctor. he's been ripping everyone off. sent an order 2 months ago and they won't answer a phone or email. nothing but horror stories all around. they used to have a real good rep, not no more.

[richardodn]

It looks like you can get a reman from Cardone through Advance Auto's website. If Cardone actually has it, I'm sure there are other retailers that carry it too. Alternately you might find a local rebuilder who will do yours and provide a warranty. Personally, i wouldn't do it without a warranty. Also, it would be a good opportunity to flush the system and replace the filter reservoir. If you replace the reservoir, the new ZF units carry the wrong labeling. Swap the new cap's o-ring to your old cap and use that.

[82eye]

It looks like you can get a reman from Cardone through Advance Auto's website. If Cardone actually has it, I'm sure there are other retailers that carry it too. Alternately you might find a local rebuilder who will do yours and provide a warranty. Personally, i wouldn't do it without a warranty. Also, it would be a good opportunity to flush the system and replace the filter reservoir. If you replace the reservoir, the new ZF units carry the wrong labeling. Swap the new cap's o-ring to your old cap and use that.

if he's upgrading to the z3 rack don't go with cardone. they'll just send a generic rebuild that fits. it's less than 50 / 50 it'll be the same ratio.

edit : ecs and a couple others have the z3 rack but it's gonna be pricey.

[DBog90]

Thank you for the feedback. Advance Auto and about everyone else show they have a rack until I try to put one in my cart. I'll stay away from Rack Doctor and keep poking around.

[richardodn]

Strange. I tried adding both the regular 26-820 and the one with inner tie rods 26-1820 as direct ship from the Advance site. No problems adding both.

[DBog90]

Back again. I decided to try a seal kit and rebuild it myself. No luck there, as the kit is built for a different rack than I have (mine is a ZF stamped 32136 - build date matches the car and the rack is not like any that I find online). So I decided I'd try abandoning the power and run as a manual rack. I've read reviews that go both ways so thought I'd give it a shot. I reassembled the rack and purchased a power steering delete block from Garagistic. The rack moves extremely hard. I can move it with a crescent wrench on top of the steering connection but have to work at it. I don't know how tight is too tight to be reasonable on the road. The source of the tightness is the spring which puts tension on the gears. When I loosen or remove the spring the rack moves easily but wobbles, which is not good. Does this sound familiar? Any thoughts?

[Mikealwa]

I have the ps delete on my ix and it doesn't bother me at all. I was just trying to simplify the car and get rid of more failure points haha. It sounds like you are trying to turn the rack halfway up the steering shaft with a wrench? I'm not sure, but the only way to tell how it feels is with the steering wheel. The wheels radius is going to be a longer lever then the crescent wrench I'm guessing, so it will feel easier ...granted it WILL be hard to turn while stationary even with two hands, but any forward motion makes it much easier. Idk if you can feel this out without putting it all together.

- - - Updated - - -

Are your wheels in the air while you're trying to turn with a wrench? I'm not sure that should be hard?

[Sunnyledge]

Have you looked for a E36 steering rack. I replaced my 84 rack with the standard E36 rack. Quicker than the stock E30 rack, not as fast as the Z3 which I thought was too extreme.

[DBog90]

I have looked at it. I am trying to stay with the current rack - but that is the next step... Thank you for the feedback.

[DBog90]

I currently have the rack off of the car, and put a crescent wrench on the point where the steering shaft attaches - so there is no load at all on the rack. I am thinking about removing the spring altogether, as there is little room for movement between the rack and the pinion even with no spring. The rack does not have the adjusting nut for the spring, so it is either in or out.

[PEZ2]

Pulled a e46 rack off the self and with the aid of the coupler to hold on too, the rack cycled side to side with ease and pumps out fluid when moved. I store racks with some fluid inside. Can’t help with the spring, but my inclination is if it started there it needs to be there. This may help. https://www.greenbird-racing.com/en/...mw-e36-z3-etc/

[DBog90]

I'll have a look. Thank you.

[YoungSensei]

I have been using DetroitAxle z3 rack in my e30 for 3 years now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/151076806130. I'm using Chasebays hose and reservoir kit, aswell as couple other things from Garagistic such as steering coupler and rack bushing/spacers. You'll also need new tie rod ends, clamp rings, and lock nuts if you go this route. The pricing is very fair, and in the end you get 2.7 lock to lock ratio. Much better than the 4.0 schoolbus ratio it had before.

Heres my parts list spreadsheet for this swap.

STEERING REBUILD
Steering Coupler - e30		https://www.condorspeedshop.com/collections/e30-parts/products/e30-steering-coupler	Condor Speed Shop	1	$ 40.00	$ 40.00
Steering Swap Kit - E30 w/o Airbag		https://www.condorspeedshop.com/collections/e30-parts/products/e30-airbag-steering-swap-kit-non-airbag	Condor Speed Shop	1	$ 36.00	$ 36.00
Power Steering Rack & Pinion Assembly for 1996 - 2000 2001 2002 BMW Z3 Exc. 3.2L		https://www.ebay.com/itm/151076806130	detroitaxle	1	$ 230.00	$ 230.00
BMW Hex Nut (M14X1 5) - Genuine BMW	32111136494	https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-5-32111136494	FCP	2	$ 5.00	$ 10.00
BMW Clamp Ring - Genuine BMW	32111136179	https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ng-32111136179	FCP	2	$ 6.50	$ 13.00
Z3 Tie Rod Ends (individually sold)	LEM-1058901 & LEM-1059001	LEFT: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...6-32111139313l RIGHT: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...6-32111139314l	FCP FCP	1 1	$ 31.00 $ 31.00	$ 31.00 $ 31.00
Chase Bays Power Steering Kit - BMW E30 w/ M20	CB-E30-M20PSK	https://www.chasebays.com/products/c...-bmw-e30-w-m20	ChaseBays	1	$ 320.00	$ 320.00
Alignment		local	BIG O TIRES	1	$ 110.00	$ 110.00
							$ 821.00

[82eye]

you can often find the AAE z3 clone rack for miles cheaper than other examples. even rock auto had it for a while.

[DBog90]

Thank you all for the feedback! Looks like I have several options to choose from.

[82eye]

Thank you all for the feedback! Looks like I have several options to choose from.

you won't need the chase bays kit. most guys bend the high pressure line or use an e36 line. about all it really needs.
you can re-use your reservoir if it's not in bad condition. some folk replace them as they commonly leak, most just clean it up as the new one will generally leak fairly soon as well.

[Sunnyledge]

An issue to be aware of with 1984 E30s and steering rack swaps relates to the date of manufacture of the car. August 84 and earlier cars have a steering column joint or knuckle that can’t be modified with the common rack swap kits. September 84 and later cars are no problem.