M3 Steering rack Retrofit

[Traf]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Hopefully someone can help.

Trying to figure out if I need to put the 1m tie rods on my build

M knuckles, M arms, nonM rack.

Is the rack for the M vs nonM different length?

M knuckles = M tie rods.

[cwlo]

How about the wire routing from the rack to the JBE? Does anyone have a pic or can explain?

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Hopefully someone can help.

Trying to figure out if I need to put the 1m tie rods on my build

M knuckles, M arms, nonM rack.

Is the rack for the M vs nonM different length?

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1629326

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ornicar

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1629326

While I appreciate the effort to help, you didn't read my post.

I do not have standard nonM E82 suspension geometry as I have F82 M4 front uprights. The nonM tie rods are possibly too short.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

While I appreciate the effort to help, you didn't read my post.

I do not have standard nonM E82 suspension geometry as I have F82 M4 front uprights. The nonM tie rods are possibly too short.

F82, E92, and E82 "knuckles" are all interchangeable. Meaning you can bolt on F82 knuckles to a Non M E82 and reuse the factory tie rods and retain a proper alignment. as the position and akroman ( however you spell it) angles are identical. the only difference being the af82 knuckle has an extra 0.5* of negative camber built in.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

While I appreciate the effort to help, you didn't read my post.

I do not have standard nonM E82 suspension geometry as I have F82 M4 front uprights. The nonM tie rods are possibly too short.

for reference, if you can bolt on E9X M3 knuckles onto your non M, you can ro this as well, as I stated before. Here is a link to show you the F8X knuckle is compatible with an E9X M3. Meaning it also works for you. No need to change tie rods at all.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23822560

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Solo_M_Tech

for reference, if you can bolt on E9X M3 knuckles onto your non M, you can ro this as well, as I stated before. Here is a link to show you the F8X knuckle is compatible with an E9X M3. Meaning it also works for you. No need to change tie rods at all.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23822560

Well, I know it's compatible, I installed it. However it's not as straightforward as you imply as my car started life as a 135i, which is problematic compared to your linked post as non-M cars have different front and rear suspension part dimensions, including knuckles, to a E9xM3/1M.

Question was if anyone knew if the non-M tie rods would fit, meaning allow me to zero the toe, when used with the M upright and non-M steering rack. I have 1M tie rods in reserve on my bench, but they may be too long as well. Trying to avoid paying for an alignment twice once I get it eyeballed.

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Well, I know it's compatible, I installed it. However it's not as straightforward as you imply as my car started life as a 135i, which is problematic compared to your linked post as non-M cars have different front and rear suspension part dimensions, including knuckles, to a E9xM3/1M.

Question was if anyone knew if the non-M tie rods would fit, meaning allow me to zero the toe, when used with the M upright and non-M steering rack. I have 1M tie rods in reserve on my bench, but they may be too long as well. Trying to avoid paying for an alignment twice once I get it eyeballed.

Sorry for the lack of explanations, but i have read your post.

myself i have fitted the M2 knuckles (to increase negative camber) + 1M ohlins

just to clarify, are you talking about outer tie rod? inner tie rod ? both ?

[Traf]

Outer tie rods are the same lenght i believe, the difference is the inner ones.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Sorry for the lack of explanations, but i have read your post.

myself i have fitted the M2 knuckles (to increase negative camber) + 1M ohlins

just to clarify, are you talking about outer tie rod? inner tie rod ? both ?

Should be inner. But it's a bit academic since due to price the whole thing might as well be replaced.

What did you do?

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Should be inner. But it's a bit academic since due to price the whole thing might as well be replaced.

What did you do?

Just fiting M2 knuckles / 1M ohlins & M3 CSL brake discs with 6pots 135i calipers.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Just fiting M2 knuckles / 1M ohlins & M3 CSL brake discs with 6pots 135i calipers.

And to be clear, you were able to zero your toe without issue with your non-M tie rods?

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

And to be clear, you were able to zero your toe without issue with your non-M tie rods?

Yes. with no problem.

Edit : For information i have M3 control arms

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Yes. with no problem.

Edit : For information i have M3 control arms

Then unless you also have the M steering rack, our setups are identical since the M2 and M4 knuckles are the same part.

AND, answered my question as well. So thank you!!

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Then unless you also have the M steering rack, our setups are identical since the M2 and M4 knuckles are the same part.

AND, answered my question as well. So thank you!!

glad i could help you!

i have standard steering rack. In Europe 125i have EPS so it is really difficult to fit the M hydraulic one

For my information where did you buy the brackets to use 6 pots calipers with the the CSL discs? do you have the P/N or a link please?

[Traf]

M steering rack or not, the lenght is the same between all steering racks.
Only difference that affects the tie rods between M and nonM is the position of mounting point of the outer tie rods on the knuckle.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ornicar

glad i could help you!

i have standard steering rack. In Europe 125i have EPS so it is really difficult to fit the M hydraulic one

For my information where did you buy the brackets to use 6 pots calipers with the the CSL discs? do you have the P/N or a link please?

Purchased from Omar with Hydra Performance out of Lebanon. They were perfect.

ornicar I will add that they completely replace the factory bracket and are compatible with the stock 135i brembo bolts.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Hopefully someone can help.

Trying to figure out if I need to put the 1m tie rods on my build

M knuckles, M arms, nonM rack.

Is the rack for the M vs nonM different length?

The inner tie rod is longer on the M cars. Outer tie rods are the same. You cannot use the m3 inner tie rods with stock knuckles. You end up with too much toe out.

However, if the rack you bought did not come with inner and outer tie rods you'll be just fine by using your stock ones! They have enough range to be made longer. I am using my stock inner tie rods still and I just swapped in m3 front spindles.

I think I had to thread my tie rods out by 7 full turns or so and I run a little toe out. Still a few threads left for the outer tie rod to clamp on to.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by Traf

M steering rack or not, the lenght is the same between all steering racks.
Only difference that affects the tie rods between M and nonM is the position of mounting point of the outer tie rods on the knuckle.

M3 inner tie rod is longer. Difference is not just in the spindle.

[Traf]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

M3 inner tie rod is longer. Difference is not just in the spindle.

Well i guess you can't read.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by Traf

Well i guess you can't read.

You're replying to someone asking if they can use stock tie rods with M3 spindles. Your reply infers that you WONT be able to use the stock inner tie rod because the M3 spindle has a different (more outboard) pickup point.

That is not the case. The stock inner tie rod has enough length to give you the ~7 turns you need to get your toe back to 0. So you don't NEED M3 inner tie rods with M3 spindles.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

You're replying to someone asking if they can use stock tie rods with M3 spindles. Your reply infers that you WONT be able to use the stock inner tie rod because the M3 spindle has a different (more outboard) pickup point.

That is not the case. The stock inner tie rod has enough length to give you the ~7 turns you need to get your toe back to 0. So you don't NEED M3 inner tie rods with M3 spindles.

Can confirm, did not end up needing the M tie rods. Seems fine.