Comprehensive Steering Information Thread

[SQ13]

Try running zero toe up front. And switch to ZCP or ZHP steering rack if you haven’t done so already. Recently drove an M3 with stock rack, and it was awful.

[1000hp]

Thanks. I'll see how it goes with the pump spacers and maybe a harder steering joint.

May try zero total toe, too. I've found that to be a little on the nervous side in the past, but that may have been the Z3 rack + zero toe.

[Obioban]

Just read through this whole thread.

Maybe I've missed something, but is there a rack that doesn't have a big dead spot on center? Never had a car with steering that was both vague and nervous at the same time...until now 😆

It's like you're whipping the steering wheel around too easily on center, but don't notice that it's too easy because it's dead. And then it suddenly breaks out of the dead zone and gets nervous. Is this how they all are??

I've done the Z3 rack thing before, on an e36 M3, and it was indeed way too twitchy for me. In fact it was one of only two mods I would not have done over again (and won't do with this car).

I have the pump regulator spacers coming. Hopefully that will correct the over-assist issue. But what about the on-center response? Are any of these rack options more responsive in the middle without being spastic?

The nervousness is almost certainly not rack related— RTABs, alignment, ride height, some other bushing, etc.

[bluptgm3]

Just read through this whole thread.

Maybe I've missed something, but is there a rack that doesn't have a big dead spot on center? Never had a car with steering that was both vague and nervous at the same time...until now 😆

Could be an alignment issue.
Too much toe in can make steering feel slow and too much toe out makes a car twitchy.

Tire pressure can enhance or detract from the above characteristics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1000hp]

It has 1/16" (~0.2°-ish) total toe in it as it sits. Camber is right around -2° front and rear.

I love a good reason to buy new parts, but I don't find any play or excessive movement in anything up front. I'll take a look at the RTABS. The diff bushings are worn and will be replaced soon, but the rear seems pretty well planted.

Pretty confident that I'm interpreting the behavior correctly. It's not nervous at all on center. It's pretty vague on center, then the overly light steering becomes more obvious with more input.

Update: the RTABs are soft 😐. Will update again when that's addressed.

[1000hp]

Update: refreshed everything in the rear and replaced the front control arm bushings while it was off the ground.

The weird light/springy feeling on center was present with the car on jackstands, with the engine off, prior to replacing the front control arm bushings, and is gone after replacing them. So... front control arm bushings, apparently.

The rresponse is still a little vague on center, but no longer so springy-then-responsive. I'll try zero toe as well.

[bullet0770]

I need to make sure I am doing this correctly, if you could help with one question.

I have the steering centered with INPA and locked.
Removed the old rack and ready to install the new LUCAS Black edition rack (LINK)
Rack is centered with 75mm on both sides.

Now the question is I need to install the plastic alignment on the spline. Will one or two tooth make a huge deal? I will align it center of the tab on the new rack (pic from other forum member).

[1000hp]

Will one or two tooth make a huge deal? I will align it center of the tab on the new rack (pic from other forum member).

It will make the steering wheel off center. Not a huge deal but hugely obnoxious to me.

If it's off you can of course re-do it. Just more work, and kind of a pain, since you won't know for sure until you drive it.

[davidinnyc]

I need to make sure I am doing this correctly, if you could help with one question.

I have the steering centered with INPA and locked.
Removed the old rack and ready to install the new LUCAS Black edition rack (LINK)
Rack is centered with 75mm on both sides.

Now the question is I need to install the plastic alignment on the spline. Will one or two tooth make a huge deal? I will align it center of the tab on the new rack (pic from other forum member).

It's slightly noticeable if you're off by a tooth or two, but only at the extremes. If you're off, you'd reset with INPA anyways.

If you want to get the cap aligned and centered properly, you'd need to follow these steps (source: I've rebuilt 100+ racks now and have centered each cap):

1. Turn the pinion rod clockwise to have the tooth side of the rod go into the steering housing completely. You know you'd done this correctly when you feel a slight “click” and it stops.

2. Take the cap and align the single tooth on the cap to the REAR circle on the pinion tube on the rack, not the front. (The front is the side with the tag facing you, the rear is the side with the rack lock)

3. With the cap pressed onto the pinion rod, turn the pinion rod and the align the single tooth on the cap to the FRONT marking on the pinion tube.

You'll center the rack every time using this method.

(Ignore the crust on this rack, it's a spare in inventory that I haven't cleaned and rebuilt yet.)







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YoitsTmac]

Big caution to those who want to get the black tag rack:
- steering was incredibly light (I am not the only one per the m3 fb group)
- some have experienced a low-speed judder. This was mild enough in my car for me not to care, but others stated it made the car unpleasant to drive at low speed. Apparently if you email them that you have this symptom, they'll send you a custom hose.
- mine blew both its seals and made itself a fancy ornament after about 3,000 calm miles with fresh fluid. Immensely disappointing, irrespective of how nice it is to be on a first name basis with my alignment shop.

[davidinnyc]

Big caution to those who want to get the black tag rack:
- steering was incredibly light (I am not the only one per the m3 fb group)
- some have experienced a low-speed judder. This was mild enough in my car for me not to care, but others stated it made the car unpleasant to drive at low speed. Apparently if you email them that you have this symptom, they'll send you a custom hose.
- mine blew both its seals and made itself a fancy ornament after about 3,000 calm miles with fresh fluid. Immensely disappointing, irrespective of how nice it is to be on a first name basis with my alignment shop.

I have a black tag that I've tested in my cars as well (yellow, blue, purple, black have all been tested). I'm pretty sure a more robust power steering pump is needed to run the black tag…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bullet0770]

It will make the steering wheel off center. Not a huge deal but hugely obnoxious to me.

If it's off you can of course re-do it. Just more work, and kind of a pain, since you won't know for sure until you drive it.

If the steering is center and rack is centered. then slide the plastic so it aligns the rack mark without moving the spline. What needs to be done to make sure it is aligned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bullet0770]

I have a black tag that I've tested in my cars as well (yellow, blue, purple, black have all been tested). I'm pretty sure a more robust power steering pump is needed to run the black tag…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should I put this in or buy a used original rack and sell this to a track user 🙁


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bullet0770]

Big caution to those who want to get the black tag rack:
- steering was incredibly light (I am not the only one per the m3 fb group)
- some have experienced a low-speed judder. This was mild enough in my car for me not to care, but others stated it made the car unpleasant to drive at low speed. Apparently if you email them that you have this symptom, they'll send you a custom hose.
- mine blew both its seals and made itself a fancy ornament after about 3,000 calm miles with fresh fluid. Immensely disappointing, irrespective of how nice it is to be on a first name basis with my alignment shop.

that is no fun, maybe strictly a track car use then. 🙁🤔


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YoitsTmac]

If you're a die hard for steering feel, I'd go yellow or purple. Also on the street, you can expect DSc intervention at Lower speeds