BMW E46 Steering Rack Replacement DIY
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 апр 2018
- Don't buy things from eBay :-)
My mailing address for correspondence or swag of any kind is on my about page.
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video. 
Авто/Мото
This is what I have learned over the years no technician is going to love your car as much as you
You got that right!!
As a technician I am more careful on customers cars than my own haha
Thank you for making all of the e46 videos, you have helped me with fix many problems on my e46. I'm grateful to you
Jason, I am very proud of you because you are always very focused on topics and thus explain it as understandable as no other!
Please keep it up, I love your videos.
greetings from Austria
mike
I just did my 2000 323i Steering Rack your video was great, two things I did before starting, Locked the steering wheel, and measured the current Tie Rods from the end of the threads to the middle circle of the Bolt joint (bottom) then took a second measure from the Bolt to the outer part of the Bolt joint did this on both sides, saved me having to count turns. also that plastic sleeve that had to be taken out of the steering rack I slowly pried on the bottom of it making sure the screw driver was inserted to the splines did this slowly on several sides and also making sure on the top I also with a very small pick freed that little black ring first since its attached to the neck of the plastic, BUT before I did all this I applied lots of dw40 and lit it soak a day :), your video made all this happen, YOU have saved me so much money on so many things THANK YOU so much for your time and effort you are a champ to all of us
Another outstanding video. I’m E92 guy and I’m getting my son into BMWs (he’s got E36). Your videos are so informative and educational. Thank you!
I seriously can't thank you enough you have no idea I don't have much money I'm a landscaper so obviously I do most of my own car repair I bought this 2003 325 for a grand and you are a lifesaver sir... Here on out I swear to God you are invited to all family dinners and BBQs
Man you have helped me and my son work on his little whip... You vids are a gold mine. Thank you
Hey 50's kid, Hope you are doing well. Just wanted to take the time to thank you for the video's you post. I have a 2001 330CI. I did the power steering rack and pump today and your video's were very helpful. Thank you for your time!!
good video man - I'm about to head out to a scrapyard to pull a purple tag rack off an E46 to go into my E30 - it's great that you covered all the tools + little bits to be weary of. Thanks my man
You for sure gotta be the most helpful BMW mechanic
You come in clutch every time. Never fails
i just smashed a curb on my e46 while drift ruined the power steering rack and lower control was arm bent and bent my wheel this guy is so helpful for fixing my e46 thankyou
The best and simple way to change your rack and pin thank you for this video!
Thanks for all the information that you give us about BMW with videos. Thanks allot
Awesome video and clarity as always!!!
I have been waiting for this video for the past few months since i got my e46. There is countless videos on how to take an e46 apart piece by piece but literaly only 2 videos on how to take a steering rack out of an e46
Right on man, your channel is awesome bro. 👍👍👍👍
Perfect timing. Was gonna upgrade to a ZHP steering rack.
I've come to terms that my time is worth more than the savings I think I'm going to get by purchasing a non-oem bmw part. The more difficult the job, the less wiggle room I give myself from deviating from new genuine bmw parts. I use ebay for used genuine BMW parts only or little stuff like screws/tabs/bolts. Regarding your work hours or no one home to receive parts, consider having parts shipped to your job. BTW, I like the MacGyver wheel alignment. Great lessons in this video, thanks again.
You're definitely right
i will be attacking this job this weekend, great info. Thanks a ton!
Dang, your car is clean, I was sooo dirty when I replaced the steering rack on mine, but then again, it leaked for some time before I could replace it.
Thanks Jason for the video upload , I've got a 325ti compact and I'm thinking it should be roughly the same and after watching your video you have given me the confidence to have a go myself , the cheapest quote was £500 +vat from my local garage , just need to get the inverted Torx sockets then good to go! Wish me luck guys.
Bloody hell, 600 quid for a steering rack swap?
@@CmdrStukov got a second hand rack for £60 and all fitted and now up the local trye garage getting tracking done for £24 !
Just goes to show how much money you can save by watching a RUclips vid and getting some tools out.....
@@raymondee100 that's well impressive. From 600 to 84 (not including the money you had to cough up for the torx sockets) - I am looking to have mine done - I'll by getting a refurb'd purple tag rack from an ebayer up north for 99 quid. I won't be doing it myself though - working on the road outside my house is too risky.
Great vid, its gonna help me out. Thanks!!
Thank you for the video! I didn’t replace my steering rack but I noticed play so I used your video as reference. Weird though I’m not sure why or how the rack bolts were loose
Oh that looked like a pain in the ass! Well done Jason!!
Thank you for the video. Do i need to buy new hoses and seals or can i just transfer to the new one?
I can’t believe it!!!! I knew this video was coming. It’s like you bypassed the steering rack in every repair lol. THANK YOU!!! No one has a decent video on RUclips of an E46 steering rack repair. You just made history with this tutorial. Coincidentally, I just changed my steering rack yesterday as well as all of my hoses. I even replaced the power steering pump.
Also what alignment shop do you recommend. Is it local? I don’t want to go to the dealership, but I’m nervous the local alignment shop will lie about knowing BMW alignment specs and and having the proper tools and equipment.
Any shop that can do a computerized alignment should have the specs on a 15 year old car, ya know?
Great video!
Really good guide!
Thanks for the brilliant knowledge on this diy. Could you provide me the torque spec for the 2 bolts for the rack to the subframe? Thanks!
amazing diy thanks
I feel like you should have paid more attention to the alignment of the splines.. if your one tooth off, that will cause bump steer. Car will drive straight after alignment. However, high speed bumps will cause the car to sway side to side because the tie rods are not equal length. All because the rack wasn't centered during installation. Its extremely important to get your steering wheel aligned with the rack. Otherwise you have to pull the rack out and re center the splines. Or live with bump steer.
I am sorry but your assessment of what causes bump steer is not even close to correct. what will cause bump steer is having the center line of the tie rod ends higher or lower than the center line of the front spindle. The rack being off a tooth will only cause the steering wheel to not be centered. the vehicle still needs to be aligned as he stated.
@@klextin can you go into more detail with this as i recently replaced my rack and got an alignment and noticed bump steer
only thing i struggle to work out is how i'm going to fit the plastic dust cover you struggled with the 1st rack and get it centered? and how i'm going to connect the column?
when i turn theres this weird sound when the car is cold… dont really get a clear understanding on the forums, is it my rack/powersteering problem or something to do with struts or suspension components?
any help is greatly appreciated
Very good video and detail just replace my in 2008 328i BMW , but I wish you did more info on after install did you run any more problems? first to all doing this job for the first time, disconnect the battery and make sure steering wheel is in lock than when connecting the rack make sure you not overturning steering wheel column because I did and my steering angle sensor broke and run all kind of lights came out from ABS airbag DTC BRAKE also my cruise control stop working and wipers, and the switch along cost additional $160 bucks and taking apart whole steering wheel. beside this thanks for the video..
If you switch back to your automatic transmission, did you replace the center support bearing on the driveshaft?
Jason.
How do we know when the power steering rack is going bad.?
Hi 50sKid I just bought a 2001 BMW 330Ci and it came with a problem, when turning the steering wheel to the left the wheels turn normally but when I try turning to the right both front wheels stay pointing to the left and the steering wheel spins freely to the right, any thoughts in what the problems might me? Any thought might help me figure out an idea of how much this fix will cost me.
I got a e46 95 and my key lock cylinder broke I was wondering if you could help me with getting it out without using the hair pin and key or can I drill it out please help
@50skid I have a 04 330xi mines looks tighter. Do I have to take the cross member down?. Any recommendations!!
awesome video. thanks!
How is the replacement rack feeling? It seems to me that the original rack was type with quick steering ratio - 3.0 turns lock to lock. The replacement is different and may be a bit slower.
Got a question for ya 50’s. My input shaft below the steering coupler has a very small amount of play when twisting clockwise and counter clockwise. Are these things supposed to be tight with no play? I’m chasing a issue with mine. My car wonders every which way especially when going over bumps and uneven roads. I replaced my tie rods, control arms, sway bar links, and control arm bushings. I still have the same issue.
Hi Jason, the video is couple of years old, but do you remember exactly why you exchanged the steering rack?
Besides the leak shown in the beginning, was there any issue, vibration or stiffness in the steering?
In my E46 325ti (EU only) I detected some play in the wheels when I wiggle them 9-3 (hands position) and the only thing that moves are the tie-rods but inside the steering rack side, all the rest (control arms, brakes rotors, calipers, ball joints, lollipop bushings, etc) is either new or still solid... Thank you :)
Do you have a video for the E90? I can't find one for E90 and mine is the LCI (facelift) with electro-mechanical and I want to change to hydraulic, that bimmer always used. It's either changing it or sell the car and buy either a pre-lci E90 or pre-lci E60 both low miles.
Hi 50s kid. I deeply appreciate your videos. If you can help, I rebuilt my steering rack, replacing the seals. I damaged one of the seals by accident, but I put it back in anyway and it worked great. After a couple years, it started leaking again, so I pulled it out, took it apart to replace that seal I damaged. When I put it back into my car, I started it up after adding fluid, and it steering wheel started violently shaking left and right on its own! When it's off and I try to turn it, it moves freely for a little, then gets stuck, and you have to push passed to get it moving again. It gets stuck at random intervals. Of course, this problem only happens when it's installed and pressurized with the fluid added. I took it apart again but I can't figure out what is wrong
Do you need to have the wheels off the ground to turn the steering wheel left to right before you set it on the ground ? Cause I changed my rack and all my power steering lines then dropped the car onto the ground filled it up with fluid and I can’t steer the wheel
Hi! Nice video and explanations. I have a question. How many liters of atf fluid did you need? Thanks.
Hello man, i have a 2000 323i e46, and I need to know if the steering fluid is ATF (which type) or if it is Pentosin CHF-11s ??, I have searched in many forums and opinions are divided by 50% /// tnx for your videos!!
That was nice job bro
Hey 50skid. I’m trying to correct the steering wheel angle to the rack. I think I’m a few turns off. ( I should’ve locked the steering wheel smh) what should I do.
I just had rack, tie rods and stabilizing arms replaced. Now steering wheel rotates 1 1/2 times to right but rotates 3 times to left. I took it to alignment shop again, they said alignment is off a bit but a new alignment would not fix my rotation issue. Any suggestions of what would cause steering wheel to rotates 1 1/2 times to right but 3 full rotations to the left? Thanks everyone
Hey when I grab the u joint and try to move it back and forth, it does, a lot. Should there be any play? My steering wheel is so loose that I can turn it a lot before it even starts to catch the rack and move it.
love your you tube I've learned a lot from you.ihave rebuild my hold 1999 328i e46
You could run a string line across the tires if you know what your toll in is or mark the tire maybe put a screw in the tire then measure the front then turn the tire and back .the problem is the spline on the steering shaft if it's not like the steering wheel it only goes on one way then you get to figure that out.. I think my 2005 automatically straightens the steering but the columns kind of messed up I have to clean that thing
You didn't say how the rack n pinion preformed with a rebuilt kit. you know before and after characteristics.Thanks for the videos great job.
0:04-0:08 😂😂😂 how I be feeling
Just curious , Couldnt you have swapped the pipe from the old rack onto the new rack?
Very good video.
Ok so oem parts for the rack is 1k and there’s others online for 2-5 hundred what would u recommend buying oem or aftermarket
Do you know if the sealed steering rack from a z4 fits a E46?
Love the Chanel
What do you mean by inverted torques do I need to turn it the other direction like right instead of left
I need help. I own a 2000 bmw 328i and I can’t get the new transmission lines in I cut the old ones out I just can’t get the new ones In!
Great video. I have a friend with a 2002 330xi. It needs a new rack as well. Is the procedure the same? It has a HUGE plastic splash pan covering the entire engine and trans below, so I can't see all where I will have to play in. Anyway, any help you van lend is greatly appreciated. Take care!
What is a good option for sourcing a new steering rack.
Where i can buy that plastic part u took off? Please i need to know i m replacing everything of the rack and pinion parts
I just bought a 2004 e46 325i, no rust, like new in and out. Just replaced the Control arm bushings, battery and passenger low beam bulb. Next is the rear window actuator. Your videos are very helpful. Where did you get this steering rack from? Prices are all over the map when googling. Thanks in advance. PS Great videos!
Very good Video thank you for your share
I replaced my power steering pump on my e46 wagon and it still won't return to center when I drive and it's stiff....could it be I need a new rack??
Hello there 50’s kid, with so many brands for racks out there which do you recommend? I have a 2000 323i sedan
Hey 50skid where can I can that plastic thing and what is it called that you mention at 14:36 that doesn't come with the new one because mine broke during pulling the old rack out and now I can't put my new one in thanks
Is it necessary to change all those pipes and hoses to rack, thanks.
Great video once again. Where can I get that ZF rack online? Do you have a part number? Doing mine today. Thanks.
u are the best!
Hi how come you didn’t just shorten and re flare the pipes so the bend was closer to the union rather than sending the whole rack back on e bay
Can I use a ZHP rack on a 2003 330i ??? For sharper steering feel ?
I gotta do this on my 330xi ... I grabbed a rack from the junkyard and the front clip was already gone. Big issue is, rack is _inside_ the subframe.
On the junkyard car, I just dropped the two front subframe bolts and slid the bugger sideways out.
On my own car ... I think I have to drop the subframe to do it properly :(
Have you ever done a 330xi?
Okay. I just watched your whole video and you purchased the same power steering pump as me. (The first one) All I did with that one is, I got one side in and the other side has to be grabbed and pulled down/sort of spun. 2005 E46 325i.
Can you describe this in greater detail? I can't seem to recreate the motion.
Whats that very big screw head on the rack? Isnt there an adjustment screw to reduce the play?
Hey 50skid, thanks for yet another amazing video. Seems like things on your car break in the same order as mine, just a year ahead. I had one question about this job, did you remove the reinforcement shield for this job or was it off anyway?
I'm wondering too
Please do a video of the transmission lines!!
Would like to see e46 steering rack rebuild
can someone put a link to a rebulid kit for the steering rack, please?
I have replace my steering reack. But my car is steering so hard. My steering wheel did not good turn back to the middle. Someone know what that is?
is there a drain bolt on the rack?
Subscribed pal.
my steering rack knocks a little when cold when you drive on a gravel/bumpy road at low speed, but when the engine and power steering fluid get warm, theres no knocking driving on the same road, bit strange.
If you just have a knocking noise check to make sure those two bolts holding the rack on are tight, saw a guy who had loose ones and had a knock that sounded like it was from the rack
Which brand did you buy?
Nice work, I follow you everything about e46.
16:16 “yes i am causing damage to the aluminum, no i don’t care”😂😂
thanks for the solid works. 2 questions: 1st, is it possible to replace only the steering copular (Giubo) on the E46 with out dissembling the whole rack?
2nd, if yes what needs to come off to get to it? thanks.
Yes it is possible. The steering column is telescopic and will recede into itself towards to steering wheel direction. Once you have that out of the way, you can whack the coupler out from the bottom, obviously after first taking the bottom bolt out. Turn the wheel to access the bolt first, and then with the bolts out straighten the wheel and make sure it is locked before removing the steering column and then the coupler. It was a pain but I have done it. There should be a video on here somewhere or maybe it was a bimmer forum I used.
The same problem happened to me today with the exact same part, I don't know what to do. It's not worth returning it, it's from abroad... I paid 274 euros. Is there any solution other than buying another one?
Are the banjo bolts reusable?
Hi, i took my car to this shop to replace te steering rack. when I retrieved the car i noticed the steering wheel is was rotated about 15° counterclockwise but the wheels where straight forward Can I correct this just by adjusting the turns in the tie rod?
You can address this by removing the steering wheel and realigning the wheel with the cogs. Super easy.
Where Can I Buy The Steering Rack?
Is this the same procedure for a 330xi???
Hi. I appreciate your videos, since they have been of great help to me. I am thinking of changing the Power Steering Seals, I got two types from Amazon one says TRW rack only. and the other says with ZF rack. I have a BMW E46 330i 2001 Automatic. How to know which one to choose?
BMWs generally come with ZF racks , Go with the ZF rack . All my Bmws Have ZF racks
My 2003 e46 325xi is having misfires for cylinder 4,5,6 with fuel cut off. I’ve replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, disa valve, cleaned the ICV and checked for vacuum leaks. I’m not to sure what’s wrong with it still.
HLamTran7 coils and spark plugs
What is main issue to replace it?
How did you bleed the rack