Comprehensive Steering Information Thread

[Volke]

Guys do you know if that alignment plastic cover can be removed from our racks?

Yes, the black plastic on the spline can be removed, but years of dirt may make it hard to do so. Just go slow and use some WD40 to avoid breaking it.

Sorry, for the slow response, I only check here when I get a PM.

[nervous24]

Thanks for all this, Volke! I will be needing some shims from you when I switch steering racks.

[rbg]

Guys do you know if that alignment plastic cover can be removed from our racks?

[rbg]

Do you know if e90 m3 steering rack would fit e46?

[Volke]

Has anyone used shims along with a smaller diameter power steering pulley?

There's no reason you can't do both. The pulley doesn't affect the steering weight. The smaller pulley just makes it more likely you will momentarily have zero assist if you try to turn the wheel too fast at too low engine RPM due to voiding in the steering rack from the pump not being able to output enough flow.

I perhaps should have inquired before I had mine installed, but is there any *disadvantage* to this?

Nothing you need to worry about. It changes the scrub radius a tiny bit, and less SAI also reduces the centering force that makes the wheels seek the straight ahead position. You can always add a little caster with plates to make up for this if you notice the reduction and don't like it.

[terra]

The CSL king pins either add 1 degree static negative camber without increasing SAI by 1 degree like you get using camber plates to make the same adjustment, or they decrease SAI while keeping static camber the same. Just depends how you align your car. Either way, the result is your car loses slightly less caster when you turn the wheels off center compared to a regular M3 with the same camber specs, and that means you gain a little less positive camber when the wheels are turned. I've heard it makes turn in feel a little better, but I cannot confirm.

I perhaps should have inquired before I had mine installed, but is there any *disadvantage* to this?

[terra]

Might have more to do with the cars they're installed in stock-- e.g. the Z3 has a short wheelbase, so it likely does feel twitchier on the highway with the same rack.

I meant those were the sort of statements in the context of retrofits into e36 M3s and such.

[Pace]

Has anyone used shims along with a smaller diameter power steering pulley?

[Obioban]

Wish I could read through the old m3f thread... Planning to do reduce my power steering pressure, how many shims is everyone doing? I have a ZHP rack and underdrive pulleys, I want heavier steering but don't want a workout while parking my car. Suggestions?

I did 2 shims/25% on both cars and have no regrets.... and my wife hasn't complained

[Obioban]

I do find it funny that pretty much all of the rack upgrades ended up being 50mm/rev and linear. and in fact to date there's nothing confirmed to be faster. You'd always hear about people calling the 330 rack a modest upgrade which had a progressive feel while others would say the Z3 rack is so twitchy that it's hard to drive on the highway. Shows how much of our perception is susceptible to suggestion.

Might have more to do with the cars they're installed in stock-- e.g. the Z3 has a short wheelbase, so it likely does feel twitchier on the highway with the same rack.

[dl.m3]

Wish I could read through the old m3f thread... Planning to do reduce my power steering pressure, how many shims is everyone doing? I have a ZHP rack and underdrive pulleys, I want heavier steering but don't want a workout while parking my car. Suggestions?

[duracellttu]

It does not. That's a myth due to the CSL having 10 mm wider track width up front. 6mm comes from the wheels being 3mm lower offset. The other 4mm is from the change in control arm angle at the lower ride height.

The CSL king pins either add 1 degree static negative camber without increasing SAI by 1 degree like you get using camber plates to make the same adjustment, or they decrease SAI while keeping static camber the same. Just depends how you align your car. Either way, the result is your car loses slightly less caster when you turn the wheels off center compared to a regular M3 with the same camber specs, and that means you gain a little less positive camber when the wheels are turned. I've heard it makes turn in feel a little better, but I cannot confirm.

I'll add more about the king pins and the effects on suspension geometry to the original posts when I get a chance. Promised some guys on FB I would do that too.
.

Thanks Volke! I was one of those guys on FB

[bigjae46]

I have the shims...it’s fantastic. I recommend it for any track car.

[Johnvu]

_{Just got the shims installed! I should have the car up and running this week! Can't wait!}

[terra]

The nice thing is all the 50mm/rev racks should play well with MK60 DSC set to ZCP steering.

Yep, makes things a lot easier