BMW E46 steering rack upgrade
What are your options for BMW E46 steering upgrade?
OPTION I
BMW E46 Steering Rack SIilver TAG
The BMW E46 Silver Tag steering rack is an affordable upgrade option that offers 3.2 turns lock to lock (exactly 3.33 turns- checked by us).
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 45mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- 26
While it's not as popular as the Purple Tag rack, it comes at a lower price point. However, its handling may not be as good as the more popular 3 turns lock to lock BMW E46 Club Sport Purple Tag steering rack, although it still performs reasonably well. The condition of those racks are usually much better than old E36 steering racks.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
BMW E46 steering rack SILVER TAG
OPTION II
BMW E46 M3 Steering Rack Green TAG
The BMW E46 Green Tag steering rack also has 3.2 turns lock to lock (exactly 3.19 turns- checked by us).
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 47mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- to be updated
However, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this unit. The most popular belief is that the E46 M3 rack is progressive, meaning the splines on the center of the rod are different from those on the edges, which is supposed to help turn the steering wheel quicker during U-turns and provide greater precision while driving straight. This type of setup is common in German cars such as other BMW and Mercedes models, but not in the E46 M3. We have dismantled and rebuilt many of these racks and have never seen progressive splines on the rod. The BMW E46 M3 Green Tag steering rack is linear, like all the other racks mentioned on this page.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
BMW E46 M3 steering rack GREEN TAG
OPTION III
BMW E46 CLUB SPORT Steering Rack Purple TAG
The BMW E46 Purple Tag steering rack has 3.0 turns lock to lock (number of turns also confirmed by us).
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 50mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- 30.
We offer two options for customers to choose from:
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Tested units - These cost roughly half the price of remanufactured ones, are free from play and are ready to be installed. We clean and regrease them, check for any play, and comprehensively test them on our hydraulic test rig to ensure there are no leaks and that the steering control valve is working properly. These racks provide perfect, strong and equal steering assist in both directions and come with a 60-day warranty, as all the seals, O-rings, bushes, and other internals are old and not replaced.
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Remanufactured units - These racks are stripped down, carefully assessed, and all O-rings, bushes, teflons, seals, guides, etc. are replaced with new ones. The rack and pinion are polished with attention to detail and the tube is honed when necessary. If any of the other components are faulty or not 100% perfect, we replace them with new (if available) or another perfect condition second-hand parts. After assembly, the rack is tested on our hydraulic test rig to ensure there are no leaks, the steering control valve is working properly, and the rack provides perfect, strong and equal steering assist in both directions. We also apply some unnatural back pressure to ensure that the pinion seals can handle additional pressure as they should when the rack works in extreme conditions like drifting, racing, etc. These remanufactured units come with a 12-month warranty.
We highly encourage our customers to consider the remanufactured racks option as they are guaranteed to work for many years to come.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
TESTED
BMW E46 steering rack PURPLE TAG
REMANUFACTURED
BMW E46 steering rack PURPLE TAG
OPTION IV
BMW E46 ZHP Steering Rack Yellow TAG
The BMW E46 YELLOW TAG steering rack has 3.0 turns lock to lock (number of turns also confirmed by us) and features a different torsion bar compared to the purple tag option.
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 50mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- 30
Despite the differences, the number of turns is exactly the same as the purple tag option. Genuine ZHP racks can be identified by the presence of a 712 number at the end of the Tag label. However, these racks are rare and difficult to find. It is important to note that yellow tag racks with 3.0 turns lock to lock are only available for left-hand drive vehicles. If you have a right-hand drive vehicle, this option is not available.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
BMW E46 ZHP steering rack YELLOW TAG
OPTION V
BMW E46 Steering Rack Blue TAG
The renowned CSL Blue tag steering rack with 3.0 turns lock to lock (number of turns also confirmed by us) is exclusively manufactured for right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles.
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 50mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- 30
Meanwhile, the Blue tag with 3.2 turns lock to lock (exactly 3.33 turns- checked by us) is available for both RHD and left-hand drive (LHD) options.
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 45mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- 26
It is important to note that this slower rack may be mistaken for the famous and faster CSL unit, but in reality, it is the same as the 3.2 turns lock to lock (exactly 3.33 turns- checked by us) Silver tag steering rack.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
BMW E46 CSL steering rack BLUE TAG
BMW E46 steering rack BLUE TAG LHD
OPTION VI
BMW Z3 Steering Rack
The BMW Z3 steering has 2.7 turns lock to lock (exactly 2.88 turns- checked by us).
Total rod travel from end to end- 144mm
Rod movement per revolution- 50mm
Total rod length- 577mm
Number of rod's splines- 30
Due to its popularity, the racks are becoming increasingly rare and expensive as demand surpasses supply.
Customers often inquire about the difference between the Z3 and E46 purple tag rack/E46 ZHP Yellow Tag rack, which is only a 0.12 turn variance, and whether it's worth paying double the price.
Yellow tag ZHP steering rack, Purple tag steering rack and Z3 steering rack have the same rod movement per revolution which is 50 mm. The only difference between Z3 steering rack an those 2 other rack is total rod travel from end to end which is 144mm for Z3 rack and 150mm for Purple Tag steering rack and Yellow tag ZHP steering rack, resulting in slightly fewer turns lock to lock. Additionally the Z3 rack splines are designed better. They are stronger less prone to have play and might feel more direct.
Fitting BMW Z3 power steering rack into your BMW E46 is a direct swap and does not need any modifications
BMW Z3 steering rack
BMW E46 Steering Rack BLACK LABEL / BLACK TAG
The BMW E46 BLACK LABEL steering has 2.5 turns lock to lock.
Total rod travel from end to end- 150mm
Rod movement per revolution- 60mm
Total rod length- 575mm
Number of rod's splines- to be updated
Explore how easy and enjoyable driving can be with our Signature Product.
Designed to suit our customers' needs.
2.5 turns lock to lock makes it the QUICKEST rack that you can possibly install in your BMW without heavy modifications implemented to your vehicle.
It is a life changer for drifters, racers and everyday drivers!
Our RHD E46 BLACK LABEL is incredibly nimble, precise and most importantly NOT TWITCHY on highway driving. Even at high speeds, the steering is very predictable, easy to control and it just feels like the car is on rails!
You don't need to be a drifter to enjoy THE BLACK LABEL.
Our product is also suitable for everyday drivers.
Did you know that nowadays passenger vehicles usually have only between 2.4 -2.7 turns lock to lock? They handle nicely and they do not feel like they are too quick.
After many years of designing, testing and most importantly listening to our customers' needs, we are proud of developing THE BLACK LABEL.
We are confident that you'll love it too! That's why if you are one of the customers who are still not sure and question the rack speed or twitchines- we are happy to brake our terms and conditions in your favour. If you already have a quick rack installed ( Purple tag, Z3 rack, or a CSL Blue Tag) and you are willing to test our signature product we are happy to offer you a change of mind return option.
Please note all BMW E46 steering racks have the same mounting, fittings orientation etc. The only difference is with the number of turns and the torsion bar mentioned above. They also have 17mm diameter pinion with 54 spline count.
BMW E46 BLACK LABEL steering rack