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E34 steering box: improvement ?

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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Jobi
Posts: 30
Joined: Jan 09, 2014 4:29 PM
Location: France

E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Jobi »

Hello,

 I’ve seen that E34 steering boxes were more or less a direct swap in our E28s. Great for parts availability. But are those boxes more direct ?
 Cause honestly, I’d like to have a more direct feel than the one I have with my euro 528i. I sometimes feel like I’m driving a boat or an old car. Not really sporty. 

I was used to drive an E34 and in my memories, it felt way better. 
gaza01
Posts: 18
Joined: Dec 25, 2015 9:43 AM
Location: UK

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by gaza01 »

I can relate so am interested in the answer. What did help quite a bit was a smaller steering wheel. Made a decent amount of difference.
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by stuartinmn »

I sometimes feel like I’m driving a boat or an old car. Not really sporty. 
It is an old car  😉  but it shouldn't feel like a boat.  Make sure there aren't any other parts in the suspension that are worn and need replacing.
Jobi
Posts: 30
Joined: Jan 09, 2014 4:29 PM
Location: France

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Jobi »

stuartinmn wrote: Mar 03, 2025 3:32 PM
I sometimes feel like I’m driving a boat or an old car. Not really sporty. 
It is an old car  😉  but it shouldn't feel like a boat.  Make sure there aren't any other parts in the suspension that are worn and need replacing.
It's ok, parts are ok. It's just not direct enough for me at the moment. That's why I'd like to improve the steering feeling. 
Chicagotrader92
Posts: 157
Joined: May 11, 2023 11:35 PM
Location: Chicago

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Chicagotrader92 »

M5 (e28) quick ratio steering gearbox is a desirable, but expensive upgrade. 3 turns lock to lock rather than ~3.6 found in a standard E28. 

That said, I think the steering feel is great and sporty on my 535i with the factory steering box. I think you should focus on suspension and maybe try tightening the slop on your current gearbox a bit via the bolt on the top.  
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Mike W. »

Not the OP, but I'm wondering too, is the E34 box interchangeable? Never heard of it but it sure looks similar. Which doesn't mean much except it's not a quick no.
znebto
Posts: 21
Joined: Dec 24, 2024 12:57 AM
Location: Lake Constance, Germany

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by znebto »

can't really speak from personal experience, but right now there are some german youtubers engine swapping an E34 V8 into a E28 Chassis, and in one of their Videos they're discussing if and how they can swap the Steering Box.
From what I could understand and see in the Vid, it should fit 1:1 into the E28 (just not sure on hose lengths) and their only struggle is the V8 Exhaust Manifold taking up too much space, so if you're having an 528i M30, imho chances are good that it will fit.


https://youtu.be/uQ5RGPU6A3k?si=ffFKeLjXEuAdc0hB&t=1592
Tiit
Posts: 303
Joined: Oct 06, 2017 6:27 AM
Location: Canberra

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Tiit »

I am in the middle of en engine swap and I happen to have a spare steering box off e34 535i.
 *They are not the same, but similar.
 *E34 box bolts up to E28 subframe.
 *Steering arm appears to match the geometry of E28. 
 *E34 box has a heatshield. 
 *Hoses are not the same. It would take some heavy massaging of the hydraulic lines, or make custom lines. I was going to cut the steel lines and TIG weld back together to make it work. 
 *I did only a quick check and possibly I missed something important. Possibly I missed some details, but it is looking promising. 


ImagePXL_20250315_080733218 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_080335640.MP by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_080031071.MP by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_080012901 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_075849665~2 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_075830913 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

ImagePXL_20250315_075733172 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Mike W. »

Great pictures, interesting that one of the hydraulic lines is on the bottom, but no biggie there. The big question in my mind at least is does it in fact bolt up to the subframe?
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by stuartinmn »

The two subframes look pretty similar, would it be possible to swap the whole thing from an e34 to an e28?  I don't know if there would be any advantage, just curious.
Chicagotrader92
Posts: 157
Joined: May 11, 2023 11:35 PM
Location: Chicago

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Chicagotrader92 »

So... what's the actual benefit here, though? 
JohnH
Posts: 724
Joined: Jan 24, 2007 9:55 AM
Location: Surrey,UK

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by JohnH »

An interesting discussion on E34 steering boxes
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/show ... rn-to-lock 
 
Tiit
Posts: 303
Joined: Oct 06, 2017 6:27 AM
Location: Canberra

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Tiit »

I didn't make it clear enough, in the picture, E34 box is bolted in to E28 subframe. I don't have any E34 subfeam to compare with. 
As for benefits, E34 box is easier to find than e28 box. 
Tiit
Posts: 303
Joined: Oct 06, 2017 6:27 AM
Location: Canberra

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Tiit »

Another thing I forgot to mention in my post: I'm in Australia and obviously RHD cars. This information may not apply to LHD cars! 
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?

Post by Mike W. »

Tiit wrote: Mar 16, 2025 7:28 PM Another thing I forgot to mention in my post: I'm in Australia and obviously RHD cars. This information may not apply to LHD cars! 
Details, details. A smart guy would have spotted that right away. I didn't. :roll: Makes it even more interesting, in a sense.
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