[lafuerza]

2007 335i RWD

Heard a bit of clunking sporadically after I hit a pothole while turning. We then recreated a nasty clunk with one wheel on a slight incline and turning the wheel closer to the 270 degrees. Same sound on each side. Just did a full eval and my mechanic thinks its the rack and pinion.

I don't have anything more than the sound, no pulling, no vibration, nothing but some clunking. I would prefer not to have my steering go on a fast turn. If a steering rack fails how does it actually fail?

I do not have active steering.

The price of a rebuilt 335i steering rack and that of the 2008 M3 is about the same. At this point I might as well put an M3 one in as I have M3 bits & TCK Coilovers in already. 3 Questions:

1) Do the M3 Steering Racks come With OUT servo tronic?

2) Are any modifications required to bolt an M3 steering rack in?

Thanks for the advice in advance. If you have links to places to buy one or the other or DIY info please post up. Not trying to recreate the wheel but if I am going to replace a part I might as well "upgrade."

[jacobniell]

Any news on this I am having the same problems with metalic sound comming from my E90 335i Steering rack, so I am also considering making the Upgrade if I have to change the rack.
But my question is will it fit if I buy the same "hydo steering rack" as the one installed from BMW when they produced the car?

[lafuerza]

I had several shops check it out and it turned out to be what is likely a chipped tooth inside the rack. No leaks of any sort. Decided to go with stock rack and not mess with M3 and no power steering.

As a side note no one could believe it was the rack.

[marconi118]

I will try the M3 rack soon

on an NON servotronic 335i

it should fit I think

[vasillalov]

It is a direct fit. You will also get quicker steering.

Originally Posted by vasillalov

It is a direct fit. You will also get quicker steering.

Neat! Definitely good to know

[najin23]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

It is a direct fit. You will also get quicker steering.

I am in the same issue where my steering have been clunking and last week found out that one of the tie rod boot was full of oil, which was believed it to be the power steering fluid.

Two options,

1. OEM-->no gamble, and you will get the same one(~$450)

2. M3--->a bit of gamble, hard to find, but 12:1 ratio is very attractive. (~$700)

Having these mentioned, you said it was a direct fit....how about driving it w/o servotronic(power steering)? Is it going to be very heavy while parking? A member who had it done said it's not that bad even w/o the servotronic. I just thought that you probably had it swapped. If you had, any insight or advice? Thank you very much.

Update: Just ordered a reconditioned ZF rack from Rackdoctor.net which comes with all the crushers and the lifetime warranty($345 shipped with core return). Got several quotes from salvage yards for the m3 rack, and $520 was the cheapest they could find. One place offered me $690 with guaranteed quality, but a bit steep for my budget. Again, very hard to find a good used or reconditioned one. I just didn't wanna go with all the gamble. Richard from the Rackdoctor.net seemed to be a very reputable guy who had been working on bimmer racks for couple decades. He even was interested in the swap, but he also mentioned that e90/92 m3 racks were very hard to find.
As this platform becomes older and older, I am questioning if the swap is even worth it. I've got the power, but clutch is about to go, and suspension is getting old.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by najin23

As this platform becomes older and older, I am questioning if the swap is even worth it. I've got the power, but clutch is about to go, and suspension is getting old.

When you take it to the track you will have your answer.

[najin23]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

When you take it to the track you will have your answer.

You mean having the m3 rack swapped will be worth it?

[vasillalov]

Did some further research. The M3 steering rack will most likely not work well for us. The power steering pumps are different between the M3 and the 335i. The hydraulic pressure is different and the M3 steering rack will be very underboosted. This means that at low speeds you will have almost no assist from the steering.