E36 Undercarriage DIY Part I: Z3 Steering Rack Retrofit

[jeromez]

Joon!!! I just replaced my steering rack a month ago! could've gotten the Z3 set instead! haha.... anyway, good work there!

anyway, you replaced that rubber guibo with a alumnium one? Wouldn't this cause wear and tear elsewhere in the steering system? It's rubber for a reason right?

[joon]

Originally Posted by jeromez

Joon!!! I just replaced my steering rack a month ago! could've gotten the Z3 set instead! haha.... anyway, good work there!

anyway, you replaced that rubber guibo with a alumnium one? Wouldn't this cause wear and tear elsewhere in the steering system? It's rubber for a reason right?

Thanks bro

Yes it's rubber for a reason, to isolate the driver from steering kickback and road harmonics.. this has been discussed extensively in the US-forums.. and whenever you replace something compliant with a solid bushing, it does cause more wear and tear.. however it's generally agreed that the slightly increased level of wear and tear is acceptable, it's probably like you'll need to replace the rack every 10 years instead of every 15 years.. the problem is a design fault because our RHD configuration puts that rubber piece too near the exhaust.. it just goes sloppy after awhile and the replacement assembly costs like $280 from Eng Soon.. either you keep replacing this bushing every other year or so.. or just get it right.. either way at the end of 10 years (assuming you keep the car that long) you'll need to replace the rack anyway.. it's a numbers game heh one thing's for sure I absolutely hate sloppy steering so there's only one option for me

that being said.. I would not recommend this mod unless you're installing a new steering rack as most of the racks in the older E36's need to be replaced anyway

[Mockngbrd]

u shud custom make and start selling that alum. bushing piece