Lets hope the reason he's not contactable isn't through the failure of the joint! 
E85 Hydraulic steering conversion part 1
- Thread starter raymond.harper
- Start date
Surely, the easiest way to do this is to fit a Z4M rack to match the Z4M upper shaft?
Does anyone know if a hydraulic conversion is possible on an N52? I'm assuming the Z4M rack would fit and then maybe a PAS pump from a pre-LCI e90 with an N52 as they have hydraulic steering and the pump is electrically driven rather than belt.
Does anyone know if a hydraulic conversion is possible on an N52? I'm assuming the Z4M rack would fit and then maybe a PAS pump from a pre-LCI e90 with an N52 as they have hydraulic steering and the pump is electrically driven rather than belt.
Steve84N said:
Probably, but at around £1750, the only Z4M rack on ebay is a tad expensive..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322350156322
Mike
raymond.harper
Senior member
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-E85-E86-Z4M-COUPE-M3-2-LOWER-JOINT-ASSY-7836809-/121561260977?hash=item1c4d9da3b1:g:uc0AAOSwqu9U0SUk this is the shaft you want for the conversion.
I have just brought one. I was going to clamp down and then drill through the 2 bits. And then bolt it and weld a nut on the end. I am sure it would have worked fine. But for the sake of less than £60 its a no brainier. I am chucking so much cash at the car this winter another £60 wont hurt!!!
goldbcfc said:
You sure could do this its just getting hold of them. Not sure if i would want one to have any less turns personally.
The rack on mine is 3.25 turns, so I'll go for the purple tag one,which is 2.5 I can imagine anything quicker being twitchy.
Mike
Mike
Just a quick question Raymond,
You say the PS light came on, can I take that as the PS failed completely? Or it has'nt failed and you're just doing the conversion for the better feel?
I ask as my PS won't work for around half an hour then kicks in and works normally until the car is left overnight again.
Apologies for the thread interruption.
You say the PS light came on, can I take that as the PS failed completely? Or it has'nt failed and you're just doing the conversion for the better feel?
I ask as my PS won't work for around half an hour then kicks in and works normally until the car is left overnight again.
Apologies for the thread interruption.
I dont think it would be that much different surely its only got a slight faster turn in i couldnt even tell the difference. I will check which colour tag it has it could be the same as Z4M like you mention. Did Z4M not have the same as the E46 M3 rack?. Clubsport isnt the same as E46 M3 rack i know is it?. Like you say though anyway its getting hold of them the moment you mention E46 clubsport to a dealer they will charge more for it as clubsports are quite rare to standard E46's
raymond.harper
Senior member
No problem. The torque sensor has failed so only the option of a new upper steering column was given. The steering has been without power for the past 2 months. Alright on the move but hopeless for parking. I just want people to know about the alternative and how to do it safely.john-e89 said:
raymond.harper
Senior member
From what I have read the purple tag is 3 turns same as the Z4. The purple tag one I have is 3 turns.Ducklakeview said:
raymond.harper
Senior member
The conversion continues. Parts needed the reservoir and brackets, banjo bolts, pipework, cooler, LF20 pump and 3.0 litre serpentine belt.
First stage is the reservoir. A very simple bolt on job just need to perhaps move the wiring loom over slightly with tiewrap
You can see the two silver bolts and the wiring loom.
Next the pump replacement. You need an LF20 pump with the two brackets and a pulley.
Remove the existing pulley by first removing the belt. You will to replace the belt with a bigger one. At this stage I just pushed it out the way
Pulley looks like this
It is held on by two long bolts of different size which you will reuse.
Offer the pump into place. Use the two bolts but in the reverse direction. A small bolt is used in the rear bracket that bolts to the block. Clearly the set up was for this pump to be there.
Ignore the large pipe. The pulley is close to a water pipe to you may need to watch the pulley does not foul it. The other hose is one of the power steering hoses.Torque the three bolts down and fit pulley
Now fit the new serpentine belt.
The Z4 is on the inside. Due to the large pulley it will not fit so new one from 3.0 series 3 Bmw E46 .
This is now as far as I have got. Tomorrow weather permitting I will be connecting up the hose pipes and sorting out the fluid cooler. I think removal of air filter box may make it easier to get to.
First stage is the reservoir. A very simple bolt on job just need to perhaps move the wiring loom over slightly with tiewrap
You can see the two silver bolts and the wiring loom.
Next the pump replacement. You need an LF20 pump with the two brackets and a pulley.
Remove the existing pulley by first removing the belt. You will to replace the belt with a bigger one. At this stage I just pushed it out the way
Pulley looks like this
It is held on by two long bolts of different size which you will reuse.
Offer the pump into place. Use the two bolts but in the reverse direction. A small bolt is used in the rear bracket that bolts to the block. Clearly the set up was for this pump to be there.
Ignore the large pipe. The pulley is close to a water pipe to you may need to watch the pulley does not foul it. The other hose is one of the power steering hoses.Torque the three bolts down and fit pulley
Now fit the new serpentine belt.
The Z4 is on the inside. Due to the large pulley it will not fit so new one from 3.0 series 3 Bmw E46 .
This is now as far as I have got. Tomorrow weather permitting I will be connecting up the hose pipes and sorting out the fluid cooler. I think removal of air filter box may make it easier to get to.
Is the displacement per turn the same on the z4 rack and the purple tag rack?
The speed of the rack is the rackdisplacement per degree (or per turn), not the number of turns. Different racks could have different total displacement (that would also affect min. turning radius).
And does the lower steering shaft differ for lhd and rhd? (rhd shaft running along the hot exhaust manifold). I vaguely remember seeing an insulated lower steering shaft in a picture or was that e46 only?
Nice writeup with all the pictures
The speed of the rack is the rackdisplacement per degree (or per turn), not the number of turns. Different racks could have different total displacement (that would also affect min. turning radius).
And does the lower steering shaft differ for lhd and rhd? (rhd shaft running along the hot exhaust manifold). I vaguely remember seeing an insulated lower steering shaft in a picture or was that e46 only?
Nice writeup with all the pictures
raymond.harper
Senior member
I placed both racks together to compare them and the displacement seemed the same. Yes it is the same part number for LHD. I have checked the part numbers very carefully.
Ok, but bmw ETK lists a different part for lhd and rhd lower steering shaft; 32307836809 for lhd and 32307836811 for rhd
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/Europe/Z4_M3.2-S54/browse/steering/steer_col_lower_joint_assy/
But I dont know if that has anything to do with fitment, I dont know what the physical difference is between the parts. I cant find any pictures of one of the parts.
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/Europe/Z4_M3.2-S54/browse/steering/steer_col_lower_joint_assy/
But I dont know if that has anything to do with fitment, I dont know what the physical difference is between the parts. I cant find any pictures of one of the parts.
raymond.harper
Senior member
http://bmwteilekatalog24.info/BMW/P/E85/Roa/Z4%20M3.2/ECE/L/N/2004/12/49344/32/32_1382/32307836811 Both number here as LHD. Looked on bmminiparts and it was the same part number for RHD
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