bmw 2002 steering arms shortened?

[tloza7]

has any one ever shortened the steering arms in a 2002?

any benefits? maybe quicker steering?

I am talking about the steering arms that is connected to the steering gear box on top of the subframe where the center track rod is connected

i am working on a project that may require to cut the steering arms to clear a rear sump

[TobyB]

If you do that, you'd

want to shorten the rods on the

struts as well. And mantain plane height of all of them.

In the same ratio, not the same dimension...

Ackermann, wot?

t

[allbim]

If you quicken that steering too much, and you may not be able to park the car unless you work out a lot.

[NickVyse]

that would be a whole can of uncomfortable worms - the system is designed as a whole and cutting short one thing will have an adverse effect.

[Tommy]

No benefits but many ill-effects. You mean the arm shown in your picture and another attached to steering box? Actually shortening those would make steering slower and increase turning radius. And as said mess up the whole geometry of the system. I would find another solution.

Tommy

[Hans]

shortening one side would - as pointed out- screw up geometry between L and R. Not to mention the safety aspects. It's bad enough using 50 year old parts. I'd be reworking the dry sump arrangement. Anyone know if E21 subframe fits?

[71bmr02]

not good idea, well maybe good idea but wrong place to be applying. cutting those pieces would invite a whole host of potential problems. parts would have to be heat treated to stock or better hardness specs, geometry would change what you do to one piece effects everything downstream. Try to find a box with different (quicker) ratio.

good luck but be very careful here, most of those kinds of mods (cutting suspension parts, installing heim joints in place of tierod ends etc) are made by racers for purpose built vehicles. not at all safe for the street.

Gale h

[NickVyse]

Anyone know if E21 subframe fits?

it doesn't, and the suspension on those things is crap anyway.

[c.d.iesel]

....YEA - what thos guys said: nicht fuch wit it !

[FB73tii]

i am working on a project that may require to cut the steering arms to clear a rear sump

Curious as to why a deep rear sump. Are you relocating oil pickup? Dry sump system will solve any clearance issue--oil pan only a few inches deep.

Fred '74tii & '69GT3

[TobyB]

only a few inches deep

heh- but you'd need a deep wallet... heh...

One thing that hasn't come up, but might make more sense here-

rack and pinion conversion.

Yes, it's not trivial, but some (Nick?) have done it, and have written it up.

hth

t

[NickVyse]

One thing that hasn't come up, but might make more sense here-

rack and pinion conversion.

Yes, it's not trivial, but some (Nick?) have done it, and have written it up.

hth

t

I have, which is why I can safely say don't fuck with the original set-up unless you have time, skill, luck, patience and a decent workshop and contacts. TBH my m2 has been off the road for too long, I've simply not had time to play with it. Last on the road I moved the rack forward and shortened the steering arms, and it improved things a lot. I can certainly place the car a lot better than with the old box, but its lacking in feedback. Having said that any comparison without the same wheels and tyres is pretty worthless. Anyway, I'm rambling - as I said it's a can of worms!