Steering Rack

[Jlastor]

So after a couple of months thinking I had a bad FCA or FCAB, I just took the car to get properly inspected and I have a bad steering rack. Control arms and bushings are all good.

I was offered a new rack for $380.00, but its a "German replacement" and the store says they have had really good results. Or $1,100 for the original. My question is, what should I do? I am not in the mood of spending so much on it. But then again, I like to keep my ZHP with the little things that make it different form the normal 330i.

What should I do?

Thanks!

EDIT: I know there are tons of threads on this, I just could not find them. Dont know why.

[Dave1027]

Exactly why is the rack bad? What are the symptoms?

[Jlastor]

I took the car over for a rattle/clunk when going slowly over holes and stuff, also it would do the same rattle/clunk when stopping or taking off (not always), and I also noticed that the car was very hesitant to change lanes, i have to keep both my hands in the steering wheel at highway speeds only taking my right hand off to shift. But I thought it was due having all M3 sway bars.

After lifting the car we saw that the steering rack has a broken boot (no biggy) but it also has a rotational movement on the rod, and something that is not supposed to move, moves. I dont know anything about steering racks. Basically he was able to recreate the rattle/clunk by just moving the a rod on the rack.

[Dave1027]

My advice is to first look real close at the guibo. That may solve all your problems. I thought my rack was bad. Turned out to only be the guibo.

[alexandre]

Maybe the tie rods are shot too... I'd get a 2nd, and a 3rd opinion, on such a major part.

[SoCalZman]

Can you get a vid of this sound? maybe holding your smart phone near your open window as you go over the speed bumps?

[Jlastor]

Can you get a vid of this sound? maybe holding your smart phone near your open window as you go over the speed bumps?

Ill try that later today. Ill let you know how that goes lol

[aurelius]

Mileage on car?

[Lespaulman16]

I would be incredibly suspect of a failed steering rack. What evidence did they give you? I have customers with over 300k miles on e46s and their steering racks are still holding up properly.

[Hornung418]

Steering rack should outlast the life of the car. Only exemptions would be those that ran with no/dirty PS fluid for an extended period of time.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[nike001]

I like to keep my ZHP with the little things that make it different form the normal 330i.


Some will say that the ZHP steering rack is different than the normal 330i, and others will say it's the same. I guess it's all about what you believe in since they carry the same part number.. but some people swear they are different because the steering feel IS different from a normal 330i. Some, though, attribute that 'feel' to the ZHP control arms.

[kayger12]

^Huge thread on BFc about this.

Last determination I read was that it is a different rack even though it has the same part number (iirc).

[danewilson77]

^Huge thread on BFc about this.

Last determination I read was that it is a different rack even though it has the same part number (iirc).

I have the pic of the steering racks in either my diy or pic thread in diy forum.

Sent from the HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA and USA

[kayger12]

This is the place that rebuilds the ZHP specific racks.
http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2002-2005-BMW-330i-330ci-ZHP-UNIT-Rack-And-Pinion-24995-25892-712ZHP.htm

[Hornung418]

All the same. Rack doctor is charging a premium for racks that are confirmed to come from a ZHP. But as long as the lock-to-lock is 3.0 you are set.

My non zhp is 3.4 lock-to-lock.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[ryankokesh]

Any update on how this turned out? My dad took the xi to a shop (that I don't particularly care for) for leaking ps fluid. He was told the "power steering gear" needed to be replaced for $1600. I haven't heard what their reasoning is yet, though.

If the rack is leaking, is it shot or can can the seals be replaced?

Sent from my iPhone

[Hornung418]

Any update on how this turned out? My dad took the xi to a shop (that I don't particularly care for) for leaking ps fluid. He was told the "power steering gear" needed to be replaced for $1600. I haven't heard what their reasoning is yet, though.

If the rack is leaking, is it shot or can can the seals be replaced?

Sent from my iPhone
http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2001-2005-BMW-330xi-AWD-Rack-and-Pinion-31995-25670-330.htm?productId=1055

[ryankokesh]

Haha, yeah I found that this morning. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone