Rack and Pinion

Hey guy I did a little research but id figure id just go ahead and ask.

I have a 91 E34 525i with and M50 so I think there is room to put a rack and get rid of the steering box.

I have access to an E39 with rack and pinion (not sure of part number will look up) I have seen a couple of guys here swap a rack in but would this rack fit/work?

Also is this something really worth pursuing, is the out come going to be worth the time?

An opinion helps

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=634285

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What is it going to cost in parts and labor to do this to a car worth under 2 grand to begin with? I have had a lot of vehicles and do not find the e34s steering so offensive that I would try and improve on what the engineers originally supplied.

If it works you probably will feel some improvement. Worth it? Not to me, I would just buy a different car first.

i'm not interested in "retro-fitting" and entire steering system. Something about losing steering at ANY point during a drive isnt too fun

Exactly...

Just buy a six cyl e39 and call it good

I tend to agree with the above. If your gearbox is OK, I would just leave the steering system as is... You would be getting into a great deal of re-engineering trying to retro fit a rack and pinion. :o)))

Reason I asked I have a free E39 rack, so I thought just maybe it could work










.......I was wrong

Originally Posted by TWard

Reason I asked I have a free E39 rack, so I thought just maybe it could work
.......I was wrong

did you try it? or just going off of our lack of pioneerism

I would have to basically design and machine a new subframe, and at the moment that would take up wayyyyy too much time

thatd be a helluva fun project to work on over a long amount of time though.

see the link to the link to the link (linkception) i posted up top about that guy's build.

Alright ive suddenly got a better idea, M5 steering box..... anybody done this? from what I see it has a small gear ratio making the steering quicker.

I've got one from the factory in my M-sport.
I've never driven a stock 540i so I don't know if there's much of a difference.
I will say my steering is great! It's no rack and pinion but it's not that bad.
I think somebody has done it before but I haven't searched for the answer.
WestSeattle on bf.c usually has one or two from time to time for a decent price.

Originally Posted by TWard

Also is this something really worth pursuing, is the out come going to be worth the time?

An opinion helps

No, and no. You could import an E34 IX model for less fuss, or go the E39 route.

The design of the system is not the problem, it's poor maintenance and skimping on good parts...wheels and tires included.

The stock recirculating ball system borders on telepathic with everything in good repair and M5 thrust bushings installed.

Both systems bear their warts in different ways. If you happen to feel that a worn recirculating ball system is a PITA, ask around the rack and pinion crowd how fun it is changing out intermediate shafts every 50K or when the cardan joints lock up and take out the pinion shaft input bearings.