bmw says my co-workers car needs a steering rack, just looking for advice

[kpro]

Have any of you had your steering get a little sluggish, as in takes a little more effort to turn or its less responsive? (almost sounds like a pump to me) BMW suggested that my co-worker's car have a new p/s rack installed to the tune of $2800. It's not leaking, they said its internal. If it was a leak I would tell her to wait a moment before dropping that kind of $ on a repair.

She kind of wants to get rid of the car over this. Its a 2005 325i. They feel as though BMW is throwing a dart at this problem.

Has anyone had to replace a rack due to a no-leak problem? What were your symptoms before doing so? I'm just trying to help them out.

[danewilson77]

Posting to FB as well.

"No flamesuit required"

[Hornung418]

Start with a flush and refill. If not that, Rack doctor will fix the problem. There are internal seals that leak by or could be clogged increasing effort needed to turn the wheel.

Sent from my GS3.

[danewilson77]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/27/bf5a04ed854e69ae85834114f4a72a27.jpg

"No flamesuit required"

[danewilson77]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/27/5308d5c9ad59fb4583e8e43126dda882.jpg

"No flamesuit required"

[theothersawyer]

My steering is rather "heavy" (not anything outrageous, but enough for me to notice) , but I assumed it was just the way the car was naturally. Now I am thinking this might be the case for my car. Who knows!

[danewilson77]

From Geoff Camp: Mine is suffering from this right now, it's gradually getting worse. Was thinking of replacing the rack.

[kpro]

Thanks for all of the reply's! Serioursly you guys are the bestest!!!

I appreciate it. I will tell her what's up :)

I figured the pumps go bad on these cars more often than the racks. That's mainly what I hear about with E46's. I only questioned it because the tech working on her car is an over confident guesser ;)

[danewilson77]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/27/f9f615dd6770e3d0842636dfa3072454.jpg

"No flamesuit required"

[Whitexi]

I had the rack go bad on my xi, it started making a popping noise when turning. It would bind up then "pop". I got my rack from this place http://www.buy-steering.com/addtocart/2002_BMW/325/Power_Steering_Rack/80-00908.html it was a fully rebuilt OEM one. Had the BMW part number on it and everything.