Power Steering Delete?

[donoman]

Hey guys,

Has anyone on here done a power steering delete with some success? What pieces do you need to make it bearable? I'm guessing without a different steering rack, you'd probably end up tearing the leather off the steering wheel.

I recently came to the realization that I hate the M3 power steering. This is after driving my chick car (Miata) which has so much feedback and fast steering that it's unbelievable!

Power steering:
-Seems to rob feel of the road from my hands --- something that is so precious in the Miata.
-Reservoir always leaks. In fact, it's the only thing that constantly leaks from my engine bay!
-I don't need power steering, I've got (massive) 13" biceps!!!!

YARRRR

So...
Anyone done this?

[BCM M3]

Removing it isn't really an option on the e36...it's wayyy to hard without it, apparently. Even the most hardcore track guys leave it in.

What you could do is:
-Get the Z3 steering rack to increase the ratio a bit
-Have a custom pulley made to underdrive the pump (?)

[shim]

after driving a couple of cars w/o power steering, man i really take it for granted.

[M52 POWER!]

The z3 rack and putting a restrictor inline of the PS pump hose line will make it much better...

[TXBDan]

what does the restricter do?

yeh this steering is definately a big slow. coming from the R32 w/ a very fast ratio i feel like i'm doing aerobics just parking.

what are the ratios on the 96+ rack, 95 rack, and z3 rack?

[M52 POWER!]

Stock we already have a restrictor, some people do the opposite and remove it to have more PS effect. You can make/modify the one in there so that it restricts PS flow even more, it's just a tube with a little hole in it that is "clamped" inside of the PS hydraulic lines.

[donoman]

How hard is the z3 rack install, and where can we source the parts?

Sounds awesome! I hate this steering!

[Dino Antonov]

what he said. Has anyone done a z3 rack upgrade. Comments please....

[RUddin3]

Have you changed your fluid recently?

When my low pressure hose broke at an autocross and forced me to change the line and the fluid, it made a huge difference. Steering weight has improved and I absolutely love it.

Our racks are a little slow, but I don't think they are horrible. After all, the cars are sedans, not race cars or even sports cars with quick or direct steering ratios. All the girly cars I've driven had lots of slop in the steering off center, and they both had less mileage than my M3's rack.

By the way, how many articles were written solely about the Miata's steering? Oh, that's right none. Road and Track did an article in 1998 entitled "Why does BMW's M3 steer so well?"

Drive Safely,
Raza

[magnetic1]

here is some info on the removal of the PS... well... info on why not to at least....

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showth...power+steering