Hydraulic steering conversion problem

[legacy4cam]

Hi,
Fitted an e46 purple tag rack and Z4M intermediate shaft to my E85 today, but I am left with the steering wheel off by about 100 degrees, I has centred the rack, and the wheel , but the column to intermediate shaft key way was quarter turn out.

Hydraulics all working and electric motor removed , but need to know how to straighten wheel?

anyone else had this issue when doing hydraulic conversion....

Thanks in advance for any help..

Iain

 

[Ducklakeview]

It'll be the adjustment at the track rod ends. I presume you are taking it for alignment? If so they will centre the wheel by assisting adjusting them.

Mike

 

[legacy4cam]

It seems a lot to take on the track rods.

I wondered if there was a change of offset in the rack to column keys at some point?
Also need someone to tell me who and how the steering warning light can be extinguished..... hate warning lights

 

[alane29]

I wondered if there was a change of offset in the rack to column keys at some point?
Also need someone to tell me who and how the steering warning light can be extinguished..... hate warning lights

I have converted mine there is no way of extinguishing the light i removed the LED in the cluster
When you say you removed the motor have you completely removed it or just removed the shaft - if its totally removed you may have problems with the DTC and sport button if you have one wont work

Cant help on the wheel i had my steering wheel off when i done it lined everything up and the put the wheel back on

 

[wonkydonkey]

Cant help on the wheel i had my steering wheel off when i done it lined everything up and the put the wheel back on

On the back of this comment...the steering wheel isn't keyed onto the column is it. I think it's purely splined and bolted? So there's nothing from stopping the OP from getting his road wheels approximately straight, popping the steering wheel off and then putting it back on roughly aligned?

 

[alane29]

On the back of this comment...the steering wheel isn't keyed onto the column is it. I think it's purely splined and bolted? So there's nothing from stopping the OP from getting his road wheels approximately straight, popping the steering wheel off and then putting it back on roughly aligned?

He would need to be careful doing that as 2 parts maybe affected the steering angle sensor on the column & the clock spring behind the steering wheel

 

[MACK]

Cant help on the wheel i had my steering wheel off when i done it lined everything up and the put the wheel back on

On the back of this comment...the steering wheel isn't keyed onto the column is it. I think it's purely splined and bolted? So there's nothing from stopping the OP from getting his road wheels approximately straight, popping the steering wheel off and then putting it back on roughly aligned?

Cant be 100% but IIRC from when I've changed my steering wheel a few times it is keyed to the column

 

[firebobby]

There is a small notch on the splines where the steering wheel fits, this is to make sure you put the wheel back on correctly.

 

[wonkydonkey]

Thanks all. I did think that was the case, having read a few of the hydraulic steering conversion threads, but misunderstood alane29's comment to mean it didn't necessarily have to work that way.

I presume there's a pin in the back of the steering wheel that locates in the click spring then? Can a new hole be drilled into the back of the steering wheel to allow the pin to be removed and refitted at a different angular offset? Just thinking out loud. I'll go and have a look at my spare steering wheel later to see how it's done.

 

[raymond.harper]

Lock steering wheel in straight ahead postion. Remove key. Disconnect intermediate shaft at bulkhead. Centre road wheels. Reconnect shaft with new 10mm bolt. Get alignment done

 

[legacy4cam]

Yes, centred on the steering rack , when the wheel is offline it brings in all the warning lights!

With everything centred, tracking done with the trusty Dunlop gauges , and the motor fully removed , I am left with only the steering warning light on. I will remove the lamp if that’s possible once I have allowed it all to settle.

The car is driving well, steering is much less “fidgety” around the straight ahead position. Ironically my car had been devoid of the sticky steering for a couple of weeks, but it could and did reappear at annoying times, so hopefully that’s improved my car for future purchases as well as my own enjoyment.

I will write up my fitting experiences.

Thanks for advice,

Iain.

 

[alane29]

welcome to the hydraulic steering club :driving: :driving: