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Thread: 1995 M3 steering rack, 3 turns lock to lock

  1. 02-24-2011, 01:01 PM #1
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    1995 M3 steering rack, 3 turns lock to lock

    So I finally replaced my steering rack that was shot. Years ago I had turned the steering wheel lock to lock and I thought the wheel turned pretty darn close to 3 exactly. The new rack has the right part number and works great, but when I turn steering wheel from lock to lock it definitely goes past 3 and close to 3.2. Is this normal? I obviously don't have the original rack to compare to. Can some of you guys with stock 95 racks turn lock to lock and see how close to 3 it is. It helps if you start at one side and put a piece of tape at 12 o clock to mark one end.


    95 BMW M3 Alpine-
    <GO...JIC Cross Coilovers- UUC RCAB, AKG FCAB, Rogue Engineering TM bushings- AA Gen3 Exhaust- Dinan F&R Strut Bars- Dinan F&R Sway Bars- X-Brace- Mishimoto Rad- BBS RK 17x8"- TRM Chip- Dinan BBTB- DIY CAI- JP Performance Headers- 21.5 injectors- JB Racing Flywheel- Bimmerworld TB boot- 540i MAF><SHOW...OE euro clear exterior lights- Depo w/ HID- Hurricane Alcantara interior- Stereo (Kenwood,Sony,MB Quart,Rockford Fosgate,JL Audio)- Black kidneys- Euro 3 Spoke- ZHP Knob- AutoDim Mirror>
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  2. 02-24-2011, 02:45 PM #2
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    MotionMotorsport
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    It sounds like you have a rack from a 96+ M3, which is a slightly better rack. It runs 3.2 turns lock to lock, as opposed to the 95 M3 which was 3.0 turns.

    What part number are you seeing? Could you post it to confirm?
    Last edited by MotionMotorsport; 02-24-2011 at 02:48 PM.


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  3. 02-25-2011, 07:15 PM #3
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    I don't have the number in front of me but it's correct part number for 95. I know it sounds like 96+ rack which is why I was hoping someone with original 95 rack can confirm what they get.


    95 BMW M3 Alpine-
    <GO...JIC Cross Coilovers- UUC RCAB, AKG FCAB, Rogue Engineering TM bushings- AA Gen3 Exhaust- Dinan F&R Strut Bars- Dinan F&R Sway Bars- X-Brace- Mishimoto Rad- BBS RK 17x8"- TRM Chip- Dinan BBTB- DIY CAI- JP Performance Headers- 21.5 injectors- JB Racing Flywheel- Bimmerworld TB boot- 540i MAF><SHOW...OE euro clear exterior lights- Depo w/ HID- Hurricane Alcantara interior- Stereo (Kenwood,Sony,MB Quart,Rockford Fosgate,JL Audio)- Black kidneys- Euro 3 Spoke- ZHP Knob- AutoDim Mirror>
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  4. 02-25-2011, 07:53 PM #4
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    How is the 3.2 rack better?

    The z3 and 95 M3 racks were 2.7 and 3.0 turns.


    I have a 1995 M3 and when my rack burned out... I got the Z3 one... it took a few weeks to get used it...
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  5. 02-25-2011, 09:12 PM #5
    nucci
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    Based on measurements and not people's opinions, or feel, the rack speeds are:
    SLOWEST
    1995 M3
    1996-1999 M3, Z3 M models, all non M E36 (identical)
    non M Z3
    FASTEST


    Don't get "turns lock to lock" confused with rack speed, as the 1995 M3 rack is variable ratio (super slow on center). I know because I own one and I hated it and took it out!

    It is assumed that the E46 ZCP rack, and the Z4 M Coupe rack, are faster yet but nobody has brought measurements.

    Matt
    Matt Nucci
    6/94 E36 M3 Cosmos CP
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  6. 02-26-2011, 03:52 AM #6
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    So can someone with a 95 please turn their wheel and answer the original question?


    95 BMW M3 Alpine-
    <GO...JIC Cross Coilovers- UUC RCAB, AKG FCAB, Rogue Engineering TM bushings- AA Gen3 Exhaust- Dinan F&R Strut Bars- Dinan F&R Sway Bars- X-Brace- Mishimoto Rad- BBS RK 17x8"- TRM Chip- Dinan BBTB- DIY CAI- JP Performance Headers- 21.5 injectors- JB Racing Flywheel- Bimmerworld TB boot- 540i MAF><SHOW...OE euro clear exterior lights- Depo w/ HID- Hurricane Alcantara interior- Stereo (Kenwood,Sony,MB Quart,Rockford Fosgate,JL Audio)- Black kidneys- Euro 3 Spoke- ZHP Knob- AutoDim Mirror>
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  7. 03-17-2011, 10:36 PM #7
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    Can somebody with an original 95 rack please turn it and let me know?


    95 BMW M3 Alpine-
    <GO...JIC Cross Coilovers- UUC RCAB, AKG FCAB, Rogue Engineering TM bushings- AA Gen3 Exhaust- Dinan F&R Strut Bars- Dinan F&R Sway Bars- X-Brace- Mishimoto Rad- BBS RK 17x8"- TRM Chip- Dinan BBTB- DIY CAI- JP Performance Headers- 21.5 injectors- JB Racing Flywheel- Bimmerworld TB boot- 540i MAF><SHOW...OE euro clear exterior lights- Depo w/ HID- Hurricane Alcantara interior- Stereo (Kenwood,Sony,MB Quart,Rockford Fosgate,JL Audio)- Black kidneys- Euro 3 Spoke- ZHP Knob- AutoDim Mirror>
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  8. 03-18-2011, 01:31 PM #8
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    Turns lock to lock are 3.0

    Overal ratio is 15.4:1 to 19.8:1

    The turning circle is 38.0 ft
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  9. 03-18-2011, 01:48 PM #9
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  10. 03-18-2011, 03:06 PM #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by CMG View Post
    Can somebody with an original 95 rack please turn it and let me know?
    williamm3 answered finally BUT as nucci said , the amount of turns LTL is useless info compared to the steering ratio and linearity of the rack

    the Z3 rack does have 2.7 turns LTL but that isn't the reason it s a much better rack than what is on all the other E36s. it's linear (has a constant 15.4:1 steering ratio) whereas the other racks listed are all variable with 15:4:1 being the quickest they get...and that s not even on-center
    -Rich-

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  11. 03-18-2011, 03:55 PM #11
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    I'm just trying to make sure I have the right rack. It has the 95 part number but turns past 3 locks. Is it possible a 95 rack could have been rebuilt with 96+ parts?


    95 BMW M3 Alpine-
    <GO...JIC Cross Coilovers- UUC RCAB, AKG FCAB, Rogue Engineering TM bushings- AA Gen3 Exhaust- Dinan F&R Strut Bars- Dinan F&R Sway Bars- X-Brace- Mishimoto Rad- BBS RK 17x8"- TRM Chip- Dinan BBTB- DIY CAI- JP Performance Headers- 21.5 injectors- JB Racing Flywheel- Bimmerworld TB boot- 540i MAF><SHOW...OE euro clear exterior lights- Depo w/ HID- Hurricane Alcantara interior- Stereo (Kenwood,Sony,MB Quart,Rockford Fosgate,JL Audio)- Black kidneys- Euro 3 Spoke- ZHP Knob- AutoDim Mirror>
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  12. 03-18-2011, 05:25 PM #12
    RuninDawg
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    Several have reported that you only get the '96-'99 rack even when sourcing the rebuilt rack from BMW for a '95. Probably a "simplify parts supply" thing.
    That is probably what started the whole, "search for a better rack" quest and why people started putting in the non-M Z3 rack.
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