Steering box differences

[Jan]

Are there any differences on the steering boxes on the different models??
I know some has servotronic, I was thinking that maybe the M5 has a "lower ratio" shorter distance from outer position to outer position??

[Panzer Captain]

Are there any differences on the steering boxes on the different models??
I know some has servotronic, I was thinking that maybe the M5 has a "lower ratio" shorter distance from outer position to outer position??

Yeah, I read somewhere that the M5 had quicker steering than other models. Is this true?

Anyone know the specifics and exact numbers? Experience?

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

I have a 535,525,M5 set of steering boxes,when I work out how to pass info, I will,M5 box is "quicker", but pump seems different.

[Jan]

Does all steering boxes fit all E34 models??

[E34-520iSE]

The servotronic was an optional extra on all e34's, according to the 1990 options list.

HTH,

Shaun M

[Zeuk in Oz]

Are there any differences on the steering boxes on the different models??
I know some has servotronic, I was thinking that maybe the M5 has a "lower ratio" shorter distance from outer position to outer position??
The 525ix (AWD) has rack & pinion steering. (Just to confuse the issue) :D

[Panzer Captain]

What is "Servotronic" anyway? What does it do?

If I have a non-Servotronic 530 V8 car, can I swap in the steering box from a '91 M5? Is it as simple as swapping in the new steering box?

[The Bigfella]

Sounds like a nightmare to me - different hoses, etc. I've got both a 535 and an M5. The boxes are different. The M5 boxes are fairly hard to come by - and good luck getting renovation parts.

There are a myriad of differences between the two cars that give them their different characters. To try to make the 535 more like the M5 is going to take a lot more than a steering box - and cost a lot more than buying an M5.

Springs, roll bars, dampers .......etc.

[Sam-Son]

don't all e34's have rack and pinion? Do 95's?

[Zeuk in Oz]

don't all e34's have rack and pinion? Do 95's?
Only the ix, as far as I know.
E36 6 cylinder and E39 6 cylinder cars have rack & pinion AFAIK, E39 V8s do not. I don't know about any others.

[Jan]

Sounds like a nightmare to me - different hoses, etc. I've got both a 535 and an M5. The boxes are different. The M5 boxes are fairly hard to come by - and good luck getting renovation parts.

There are a myriad of differences between the two cars that give them their different characters. To try to make the 535 more like the M5 is going to take a lot more than a steering box - and cost a lot more than buying an M5.

Springs, roll bars, dampers .......etc.

So to get the M5 steering box to fit on my 540, would be a matter of getting hoses to fit??
M5 boxes are not hard to find here in denmark, both with or without servotronic. They cost approx. 230usd.

[The Bigfella]

So to get the M5 steering box to fit on my 540, would be a matter of getting hoses to fit??
M5 boxes are not hard to find here in denmark, both with or without servotronic. They cost approx. 230usd.

You would also need to check fluid compatability. There are IIRC two different versions of Pentosin fluid. Does your 540 use Pentosin in its system?

I just don't understand why you would go to all the extra trouble. I'm not anti mixing and matching car parts by the way - I'm working on the VW / Subaru turbo hybrid at the moment - and it has at least eleven different makes of car that have donated parts to the project. But, for a daily driver - kleep it simple eh? I drove the 535 today and it has a smaller Momo on it than my M5 - and quite frankly I couldn't tell you any difference between the two - which may be due to the smaller wheel.

I had a horrid time changing just the power steering hose on my M5 - but it is RHD, so the box is under the exhaust manifold. It was a prick of a job - and I had to make up a special tool just to get the hose off.

[bmwrp8]

The 525ix (AWD) has rack & pinion steering. (Just to confuse the issue) :D

hahaha very confused already :D

[E34-520iSE]

Nope, only the iX has a rack and pinion system. Every other model from 1988-95 came with a steering box.

HTH,

Shaun M

[Panzer Captain]

Anyone know the answer to this?

Are the M5 boxes simply bolt-on, or not.... ?