Rebuilding steering rack

[E30 Wagen]

This is for a '89 325i. I had to pull the rack out because of a bad steering linkage. I don't like the looks of the rack that came out, like it's some cheap rebuilt unit or something. Anyway, I have two other OEM racks, but I have absolutely no idea of their condition. I see there are gasket sets like this one:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=32-13-1-132-798-M61&catalog_description=Gasket%20Set%20for%20Steering%20Rack%2C%20%33%31%38i%2Fis%2FiC%20%28%31%39%39%31%29%2C%20%33%32%35%2Fi%2Fis%2Fic%20%28%31%31%2F%38%36%2D%39%31%29%2C%20Each%20%20

Is it hard to rebuild a rack?

[DRTSRFR]

It's not hard, but there are some tricky parts...

This may help...

http://home.comcast.net/~adamsjohn/325ic/work/SteeringRack/steeringRack.htm

[Blackangusinc]

It's not hard, but there are some tricky parts...

This may help...

http://home.comcast.net/~adamsjohn/3...eeringRack.htm

The link doesn't work anymore. Anyone else?

[bastianshaw]

just sell those and buy an e36 rack

[LJ851]

just sell those and buy an e36 rack

Yes.

One of most enjoyable mods i have done to my car.

[Blackangusinc]

Does anyone have a link to an e36 rack rebuild thread?

[taiden]

Maybe I should do an e36 rack.. I should really replace my tie rods and boots, so I figured at that point I might as well go for the shorter ratio.

[xxlbimmer]

Check the rack doctor:

http://shop.rackdoctor.net/1992-1995-BMW-325is-Rack-and-Pinion-12995-786-325is.htm

seems to be a good deal and comes with inner tie rod and boots plus 2 year warranty!

[TobyB]

It's not particularly hard, if you're at the mechanical level that doesn't mind doing a head gasket.

The only real tricks are that there are some seals that are REALLY hard to get on and off
without damaging them (in the spool and on the piston) and that the spool runs directly on the housing-
eventually the housing will get grooved to the point where it won't seal very well.

My version was to disassemble the coupla racks I had, disable power steering in the
one that was the nastiest, and leave the other as spares.

Oh, btw, the later rack is (imho) easier to work on. But neither is hard.

t