Steering rack de-power questions

#1

Is there anything I should know before disassembling my E30 rack to remove the seals? I’m ready to take it apart, but am curious if anyone has any tips from mistakes made.

Thanks

#2

If you’re disassembling the rack just to depower it, don’t bother. You can simply remove the PS lines and either plug the ports or add a crossover tube. If you do a search you’ll find an in-depth argument about the various merits of the two approaches.

#3

I actually looped the lines before and didn’t like the resistance caused by fluid being pushed back and forth. I have an extra rack outside of the car so I wanted try removing the seals.

Disassembly was pretty straight forward. I guess I’ll see how reassembly goes.

#4

[quote=“Dizzle” post=69540]I actually looped the lines before and didn’t like the resistance caused by fluid being pushed back and forth.[/quote]Remove that crossover line and turn the rack lock to lock several times to push out the rest of the fluid. Reconnect the lines and you’re all set. Plenty of fluid remains to lubricate the rack.

#5

+2 for Steve and Rob. It will stop leaking once the pressure and most of the fluid is gone. Don’t bother with a rebuild.

I do have a rebuild kit to sell though. Bought it but didn’t bother.

#6

If anyone wants to know what an E30 steering rack looks like disassembled…

#7

Since you already have your rack all apart, I’d contact Jeremy Lucas and weld up the input shaft so you’re not relying on the spring rod and ears. Remember what happened to Sean at Gingerman.

#8

Grattan, right? But I know what you mean. Can anyone elaborate on disassembling the input shaft and/or what to weld?

#9

We just looped the tube into itself. That being said, I wish I hadn’t disconnected the power assist.

#10

[quote=“Dizzle” post=69924]
Grattan, right? But I know what you mean. Can anyone elaborate on disassembling the input shaft and/or what to weld?[/quote]

Here’s the link to Jeremy’s thread in case you haven’t seen it. Never saw how he welded it, but he lives in Columbus too. I believe he said he had a guy at work weld it for him.

#11

Thanks Denny, I’ve met Jeremy a couple times at Mid Ohio. I’ll post over there and try to get his attention.

#12

I was thinking of removing my power steering for the coming year. If you have time could you elaborate on why you regret doing it?

#13

Yeah, because it’s really heavy.

#14

Really, even at speed? I’ve had several cars with no power steering and while they were miserable to park, they weren’t bad at speed. I didn’t expect it to be too bad other than maybe over bumps and things like that. Thanks for the info.

#15

I also tried looping the lines to remove power steering and didn’t like it because there was still resistance from the fluid being pushed around in the rack. Even with the front of the car up in the air, the steering wheel didn’t turn that freely. I sat in someone’s Spec E30 with a de-powered rack and didn’t find it that difficult to turn the wheel even while the car was stopped. That’s why I decided to de-power my rack.