Remanufactured or Rebuilt steering rack?

[Hoffbrohaus]

in another thread about Z3 racks e304me mentioned this:

rebuilt is not the same as re-manufactured. Rebuilt usually just means they replaced the seals

But I read the Maval reman'd aren't always good. So should I get a reman'd Maval or a rebuilt OEM for $350, or pull a junkyard one for $125 and replace the seals? Any other options?

[jeffnhiscars]

Based on those numbers Rich at rackdoctor.net is really the only option that makes sense and I would encourage you to get an e36 rack as long as you are doing the swap.

[Hoffbrohaus]

Based on those numbers Rich at rackdoctor.net is really the only option that makes sense and I would encourage you to get an e36 rack as long as you are doing the swap.

Great thanks, do you know if they will take my e30 rack as a core for a Z3 e36 rack? That's the issue at the other place. They won't so It's $200+150 = $350 total. If Rack doc doesn't accept my core it's $460

[jlevie]

I think this has been covered before. The core must be the same type rack as the reman you get back. If you really want to swap to an E36 rack, get one from a salvage yard to use as the core.

[jeffnhiscars]

I think this has been covered before. The core must be the same type rack as the reman you get back. .

This is generally the rule but I did a deal with Rich when he was short of e30 cores so he took mine for an e36 swap. Either way his prices and core charges are much less than what the OP is being quoted so I doubt it would be over $200 shipped with no core.

Go to his website or call.

[davesmystery]

Yeah, ask around, a few of the ebay dealers I talked to were willing to take e30 racks in exchange for a reman e36 or z3 rack.

[Andy.B]

Reman racks are a gamble. I had a reman unit from carquest go bad in <15 miles. Second one had been good for several years now. I recommend doing a measure alignment when you put it together, and wait a day or two to check for issues before you get it professionally aligned.

[jeffnhiscars]

Reman racks are a gamble. I had a reman unit from carquest go bad in <15 miles. Second one had been good for several years now. I recommend doing a measure alignment when you put it together, and wait a day or two to check for issues before you get it professionally aligned.

Buying a reman of unknown origin such as from Carquest is for sure playing roulette, but buying one from a known shop who has nothing but positive feedback is another story.

Your other options are to buy a POS from a JY for $50 or a brand new one for $1200