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E34 steering box: improvement ?
E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
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.
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
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Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
stuartinmn wrote: Mar 03, 2025 3:32 PMI sometimes feel like I’m driving a boat or an old car. Not really sporty.It is an old carbut 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.
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Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
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.
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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
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
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
PXL_20250315_080733218 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_080335640.MP by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_080031071.MP by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_080012901 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_075849665~2 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_075830913 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
PXL_20250315_075733172 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr
*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.







Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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?
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Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
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Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
So... what's the actual benefit here, though?
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
An interesting discussion on E34 steering boxes
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/show ... rn-to-lock
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/show ... rn-to-lock
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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.
As for benefits, E34 box is easier to find than e28 box.
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
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!
Re: E34 steering box: improvement ?
Details, details. A smart guy would have spotted that right away. I didn't.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!
