Solid Steering Coupler

[stash1]

Bought this one from Condor in November and installed it in conjunction with a yellow tag ZHP rack.

Unfortunately only had two days to enjoy it before winter hibernation. Despite the limited seat time I can say the two mods together are a welcome improvement in both responsiveness and quickness (as one would expect). Definitely a heightened anticipation to get the car back on the road this year. So much so that I sourced a couple mint condition original sales brochures to tide me over:




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Nice score! Ok, great, thanx for the feedback man!

[elbert]

The BMWCCA Foundation store has those brochures for sale.

https://bmwccafoundationstore.com/collections/books-posters-brochures-and-more

[heinzboehmer]

The BMWCCA Foundation store has those brochures for sale.

https://bmwccafoundationstore.com/co...hures-and-more

Awesome, thanks for this.

[PRIM3]

The BMWCCA Foundation store has those brochures for sale.

https://bmwccafoundationstore.com/co...hures-and-more

Good to know! They don’t appear to have the one pictured on the left though, the M Cars one - so I’ll consider that a rare find until proven wrong


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[AussieE46M3]

They currently sell one but it's RHD only. I have a feeling it's specified as working only with RHD cars because the RHD steering coupler has a universal joint at the end of it (steering rack side) whereas the LHD coupler does not.

Assuming the LHD coupler deals with both rotational and axial loads (probably slight but I can't imagine there being absolutely zero axial load), a solid connection would be an inadequate substitution for the rubber bushing since it won't deal with the axial loads. I mean, it'll work fine, but that load will inevitably be transferred and cause accelerated wear elsewhere.

Stash1, if the RHD coupler fits on LHD cars (i.e. clocks the steering wheel correctly, since the connections on either end of it look identical to the LHD part), then maybe you could get one of those and swap the rubber bushing out for a solid one (CMP or something).

This is the reason I (CMP) offer just a RHD version.

On the LHD options the rubber donut helps to compensate for misalignment while RHD cars have a UJ attached.

For LHD cars I would suggest a universal joint like the product Build Journal are selling.

It was a while ago however, if I recall correctly the hole centres are different between LHD & RHD cars is different so they are RHD only.

For those who are RHD, it's a great little mod to tighten up the steering. With the manifold so close the rubber does have a harder life but, at least we don't have cats there

[stash1]

Bought this one from Condor in November and installed it in conjunction with a yellow tag ZHP rack.

Unfortunately only had two days to enjoy it before winter hibernation. Despite the limited seat time I can say the two mods together are a welcome improvement in both responsiveness and quickness (as one would expect). Definitely a heightened anticipation to get the car back on the road this year. So much so that I sourced a couple mint condition original sales brochures to tide me over:




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Ok, so when you installed the Condor coupler, what did you do about the plastic piece that aligns the factory coupler...but prevents this joint type coupler from sliding into place?

[PRIM3]

Ok, so when you installed the Condor coupler, what did you do about the plastic piece that aligns the factory coupler...but prevents this joint type coupler from sliding into place?

Had my mechanic do the install mate #softhands Can’t say what was done with that piece. Good luck!


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[SliM3]

If I were to run something like this with a square set-up and a faster rack (Z3 non-M), will it make tramlining more pronounced compared to just the rack swap and stock coupler?

[stash1]

Had my mechanic do the install mate #softhands Can’t say what was done with that piece. Good luck!


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Ahhh, ok, I usually can't afford a mechanic-lol. Anyone else have any experience installing this type of coupler?

[stash1]

If I were to run something like this with a square set-up and a faster rack (Z3 non-M), will it make tramlining more pronounced compared to just the rack swap and stock coupler?

Good question Brian...I would like to know as well from anyone that has experience.

[liam821]

This is the reason I (CMP) offer just a RHD version.

On the LHD options the rubber donut helps to compensate for misalignment while RHD cars have a UJ attached.

For LHD cars I would suggest a universal joint like the product Build Journal are selling.

It was a while ago however, if I recall correctly the hole centres are different between LHD & RHD cars is different so they are RHD only.

For those who are RHD, it's a great little mod to tighten up the steering. With the manifold so close the rubber does have a harder life but, at least we don't have cats there

It's 2026, and I need to replace the coupler in my car (LHD with a yellow tag rack). Is sticking to a stock part still the play? Build-Journal no longer sells that universal joint. The OEM coupler and the Condor solid coupler are almost the same price. Anybody have a recommendation?

[01SG]

Is everyone running these on street cars? Aren't they a danger in the event of an accident in that they are stronger and will not necessarily break like the OE design and prevent impalement by steering column?

[George Hill]

Bry5on

[Bry5on]

The solid coupler replacements are not the move as they don’t allow for the joint to move in 3D space properly. LPSR and one or two other shops make replacement parts that are solid shafts with two u-joints that collapse just like the factory parts for an accident. The coupler itself isn’t the part that collapses in an accident.

They do increase steering feel and feedback, but will exacerbate any play that you can feel anywhere else. Mine very occasionally introduces a little knock on very hard uneven pothole impacts. I think it’s due to lash in the rack and pinion as that joint has a spring in it that can allow some movement under large amounts of force. Hope that helps.

[liam821]

The solid coupler replacements are not the move as they don’t allow for the joint to move in 3D space properly. LPSR and one or two other shops make replacement parts that are solid shafts with two u-joints that collapse just like the factory parts for an accident. The coupler itself isn’t the part that collapses in an accident.

They do increase steering feel and feedback, but will exacerbate any play that you can feel anywhere else. Mine very occasionally introduces a little knock on very hard uneven pothole impacts. I think it’s due to lash in the rack and pinion as that joint has a spring in it that can allow some movement under large amounts of force. Hope that helps.

It does. Thank you! Sounds like I should order an OEM part and call it. It lasted 20 years and 100k miles; it should last another 100k miles.