DIY: E46 Steering rack swap

In this video, I replaced my steering rack with a tighter ratio rack, which gives me less turns lock to lock. The job wasn't too bad!
I shot this in February so it's time to just get it out!
Make sure to subscribe for more! / @builtforredline
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud

[@harborfreight2323]

Adding: If your new rack comes with tie rods but no tie rod ends and you want to keep the ones you have, you can spin the tie rods out of the tie rod ends, leaving them on the knuckle and not needing to separate the ball joints. Also, put a lot of grease on the tie rod where the boot end sits on them. Slide it around, you'll be spinning those rods in the boots later.

[@ML-xe8gz]

Hey, very nice tutorial! I learned a lot, what are the banjo bolt crush washer sizes?

[@Troymatti]

Looking to do this one next week , but to avoid messing up Your alignment, lock your steering on center position, then take the old rack and but right next to the new one and match the little small slide where the guibo goes

[@BuiltForRedline]

My luck with purchasing racks couldn't be worse. I'm on my third looking for my fourth (all come broken). Newer E46's have an alignment piece on the steering shaft, making it nearly impossible to get the guibo on wrong. There's also a necessary nudge on the side of the steering shaft, so you'll be accurate to ~3-4 threads regardless if you can get it back together.

[@Troymatti]

Driving For Miles hey bro , I had to re-watch again ! That 16mm between the rack and the oil pan regular 16 won't fit ? should I get thinner one ?

[@BuiltForRedline]

Don't underestimate how tight that gap is. I'm ashamed to list how many times I've down this job but at the least, it often takes two: one to hold the wrench down and the other to hold it in position. You can try and sneak in a "regular" wrench from the side of the car, but in my experience a bike wrench (we'd use these normally for end links) coming in from the front of the car is the best solution. Hopefully that helps you out! Edit: Apparently the side method is what is shown here. It takes finagling but yeah the front is typically my preference. It's arguably the hardest part of the job.

[@madmaz8890]

Mint tutorial, gonna be doing this later!

[@BuiltForRedline]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dennissanchez9231]

how can I get a step-by-step on how to put it in and prep the rack and pinion before putting it in is there anything I need to do to prep the part

[@BuiltForRedline]

There’s not much you need to do. I’d recommend turning a used rack left and right a few times manually to get rid of old fluid, but no other prep needs to be done

[@julianmcalister6865]

At what point under the car did you jack the car up to get those stands underneath the mounts underneath the jack points? I have never used anything other than those points and have to say that I’m nervous to use anything else other than those points. I’ve got my rack coming tomorrow and it looks like I haven’t done everything yet. Before, I had access to a lift, but I prefer not to ask for permission to use it.

[@BuiltForRedline]

on the cross member there should be a little indent in the center (just rearward of the rack but in front of the oil pan where you place the jack to raise the car to position the jack stands

[@julianmcalister6865]

@@BuiltForRedline okay, I have one more question for you. Could you actually leave the front tires on the ground/on ramps to swap out the rack? Curious and wondering if the tie rods would have any kind of pressure on them when taking the outer tie rod off. Do you think that is possible? I would think it would also keep my alignment pretty close.

[@harborfreight2323]

Where did you put those floor jacks on the body? I like how you've got so much room to work. Mine are under the front control arms; wishing I had more room to work.

[@BuiltForRedline]

There are dedicated jack points. I honestly wouldn't jack it up anywhere else. There called BMW jack pads, they're by the frame rail. See this: www.google.com/search?q=e46+jack+points&sxsrf=ALeKk03n2Ac5DPqkh98RwdtcGxNhgeUAgQ:1583705058703&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqv8-L8YvoAhV4IzQIHe81D98Q_AUoAXoECAwQAw&biw=1440&bih=694&dpr=2#imgrc=Y9N7FtcsXluQsM

[@harborfreight2323]

@@BuiltForRedline Yes. I guess I asked the wrong question. Where did you lift the car with the floor jack so you could get the jack stands under those jack points? My new rack is leaking, got to go in again. :( edit- annnnnndd it's the supply hose!!

[@als5995]

zcvbxZCB xcbz on the aluminum splash guard thing, right under where the middle of the front subframe is

[@harborfreight2323]

@@als5995 I'll have to take a look at that next time. I put a 2x4 under the frame rails flanking the drive shaft and exhaust. It's about 18 inches reaching with the jack. It worked well enough.

[@ShadowSlayer140]

Pretty good. Been looking and there are like no videos on this. Will try with a friend later. Just got a new rack in because mine is leaking and has a torn boot

[@BuiltForRedline]

Yeah I noticed that there weren't any either when I need to change mine! It can definitely be done solo with ease if that makes any difference to you!

[@ShadowSlayer140]

Yeah I'm thinking of doing that so I can get it done on my own schedule. Not sure what year that is but my 2004 330ci has a reinforcement plate. Did you have to remove that plate, or is your e46 different. That's the only thing I'm debating on

[@BuiltForRedline]

Mine has the triangle and I didn't have to remove it. You can see it in the video. I don't remember the other plate but it may also start from behind the rack and therefore not need to be removed.

[@R9218-t7x]

Is it the same on all e46 models? (engine sizes) i have a 320d 2006 convertible which needs the rack replacing. thanks in advance! :)

[@BuiltForRedline]

should be the same no matter what! I'm unfamiliar with models outside of America to be fair

[@kurzjames]

Did you use a Z3 rack? What rack did you use?

[@BuiltForRedline]

I don't recommend the Z3 rack. Use a post 01 rack from a 325 or 330. ZF only, no TRW rack

[@OpTicxScope]

@@BuiltForRedline what a trw rack ??

[@BuiltForRedline]

jahmi king TRW is a brand. I don’t like the feel and there not any cheaper

[@TheBlocos77]

@@BuiltForRedline What is different with TRW rack ? Same ratio but more assistance?

[@BuiltForRedline]

@@TheBlocos77 It gets more technical than just the assistance. It's about how the hydraulic pressure is managed within the rack and how bits in the road adjust that internal pressure, and therefore effect steering feel. Full honesty I am not studying the right field (nor have I opened a rack) to be the one talking about the mechanical differences. Steering feel is also very subjective :)

[@DUXIAN88888]

I like your Socket wrench

[@BuiltForRedline]

Thanks man, it's always popular with the ladies.