rack and pinion 101

[Philo]

forgot all about this thread.

I scratched the 944 and e39 rack and went with a Porsche C2 rack from a 92 911. The 944 is front steer and wont work on an e28. The e39 .., can't remember but it wouldn't work. I think front steer as well. But the C2 rack is rear steer and fits fine. It's actually about the same length as the e28 center link. However, this project stalled.., the reason I stopped trying to adapt a rack to the e28 sub frame is because the angle on the rack neck is too extreme and required mounting a firewall steering shaft bearing and also substantial modifications to the shaft to adapt the bmw universal to fit with the Porsche rack input shaft. If I had a shop and more time I think I could have pulled it off...

Good luck. Let us know if you make progress.

[Sgregory]

I have heard that a golf vr6 rack works. This came from someone who had an e28 subframe in a bavaria with the golf rack. Might be worth checking out based on this guys knowledge and experiance as an indy BMW / spec e30 builder.

[mooseheadm5]

f The e39 .., can't remember but it wouldn't work. I think front steer as well.

Correct, it is front steer. A right hand drive E39 rack flipped upside down works, though. Aaron tried the RHD E36 rack, but the angle to the pinion shaft wasn't favorable.

[535is-pa]

somehow someone (bill in mn???) purchased a "hot rod" rack and put it in. itried searching an found notta. but i swear its on this forum.

[cowlum]

I have no need to swap my steering box out just yet, the previous owner had a rebuilt one put in not too long before I purchased it. Im just not a big fan of re-occuring ball and am aware it will wear itself sloppy(er) oneday.

It seems finding a suitable steering rack is not a big deal given time. Porsche C2, lefthand drive e30/p944 (for the southern hemisphere), holden astra for no power steering......

The main issue appears to be the steering column angle.
I see alot of people change the angle of the steering column by hacking the firewall.. Does any one have a ball park angle for the difference between the steering column and rack rod angle? I dont like the idea of hacking the firewall. A CV joint may do the trick if its 60deg or less..

Or better yet does anyone have some pictures of the steering column to rack alignment pre-firewall hack.

Thanks

[Bob H]

An RHD E39 rack will work. Aaron has one installed in his project car, but it is not ready for the road.

Back from the dead - any link to this project and his progress?
I'm not sure who aaron is.

[535is-pa]

An RHD E39 rack will work. Aaron has one installed in his project car, but it is not ready for the road.

Back from the dead - any link to this project and his progress?
I'm not sure who aaron is.

bmw4aaron or something along those lines youll find him if you search for v8 e28 or v12 e12 swap or something.

i really want a rack in a e28, steering feel is the only reason i switched to an e36 m3 with a z3 rack.

steering column drama is easly overcome. most column parts swap around as they are the same spline count. ex i used a e28 steering coupler on my e36 to replace the rubber joint. and am making a solid one for a 325ix with two e28 you joints and modified length connecting rods. vorshlag will also make you anything you can dream up.


(+1 for solid steering linkages)

[bkbimmer]

I'm surprised no one has developed a r&p kit for these cars yet, I'm in the beginning stages of brainstorming a rack install in my 75 e12 now that I'm putting an ls1 in it. I think it is going to be tricky using the rear steer set up as there won't be much room between the oil pan, sub frame and trans. I'm hoping it doesn't become a huge pita.

Once I get the front sump oil pan I need I can start doing some real work.

[ElGuappo]

If anyone can figure it out, I trust you can.

[M106]

sorry for bumping a old thread, but the pictures doesnt work