High mileage steering racks (stock 110k mile rack failed, buy non-leaking 120k rack?)

[el bob]

My buddy has an 87 E30 vert with a leaking steering rack and power steering issues, as in all the pieces are there but there isn't no power assist going on.

When you turn the steering wheel in either direction, you can hear a hissing sounds from below the car by the steering rack. I'm assuming this means the seals are shot and pressure is escaping past them.

His E30 only has ~110k miles on it. I've been looking around for replacement steering racks.

So far I have found $100 racks with 121k, 134, and 150k, all of which do not leak.

What makes these steering racks leak and fail? Should I be worried about high mileage racks or is it more relevant to weather conditions (arizona versus michigan) and how the steering was used?

Muchos grassy butts

[88driftIS]

My 86 has over 300k miles on it, the pump went out not to long ago, so I yanked it all out. But I had no problems with the rack what so ever and neither did the past owner. It's hit or miss. If it is known good condition, buy it if the price is right. I consider 120k miles to be a lower mileage e30.

[el bob]

Has anyone had a steering rack rebuilt by a shop? Are there shops that specialize in this?

I see BMA has a "Maval" brand rebuilt rack for $295 and ZF rebuilt racks for $600.

What the hec makes the Maval 1/2 the price?

I'm having trouble justifying spending $100 on another used E30 rack that has even more miles than the 110k miles rack that blew out on me. I'm hoping there might be a smart rebuilt option. Anyone with experience here?

[Aptyp]

i have 345k miles on mine, still no leaks

[bostonbmw]

I would just rebuild the one you have. My friend just rebuilt his with sucess using this writeup. Check Craigslist for deals..I picked up a new E36 rack for $100 !!!

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-3-series-e30/forum.php?postid=3910507&page=1

[EN318isPDX]

Has anyone had a steering rack rebuilt by a shop? Are there shops that specialize in this?

I see BMA has a "Maval" brand rebuilt rack for $295 and ZF rebuilt racks for $600.

What the hec makes the Maval 1/2 the price?

I'm having trouble justifying spending $100 on another used E30 rack that has even more miles than the 110k miles rack that blew out on me. I'm hoping there might be a smart rebuilt option. Anyone with experience here?

Most likely failed due to over filling or lack of maintenance. Upgrade your rack to an E36 faster ratio rack.

[el bob]

I would just rebuild the one you have. My friend just rebuilt his with sucess using this writeup. Check Craigslist for deals..I picked up a new E36 rack for $100 !!!

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw...3910507&page=1

Cool, thanks for the link!

Advice is duly noted on the E36 rack, will keep that option open.

[aSpecD_]

hey rob!

my friend and i just did the conversion on my car.
i got the 95 m3 rebuilt rack from BMA, $280 + 150 for the core.

maval is now returning the e30 core that i sent [rejected].. we were hoping that they wont notice that it was an e30 rack. [some go through, some don't] hoped to get the core refund. but patrick [from bma/ very helpful guy] said he'll try to see if he can get any sort of credit for an e30 rack.
or he's also gna try to see if he can send it to them to be rebuilt, at his cost, and give it to me to sell on here or something..

this email was pretty recent so i don't know what's yet to happen.
if it gets rebuilt then ill give it to you for $150..

the 95 m3 rack that i got was from maval. steering is smooth and very responsive. it's 3.0 turns versus e30's 4.0 turns lock to lock.


ps.
maval does change all seals and check up on what's worn out and then paints it new and calls it rebuilt.

zionsville ones go through a more thorough inspection.. hence the cost.

[gearheadE30]

Hissing doesn't always mean it failed. I had one that hissed really badly at times and never had an issue. I think there was just crap in the fluid.

My e30 rack has a good 210k on it, no leaks. Just picked up an e36 rack with no leaks and 50k miles for $30, so look around the the junkyards and see if there is anything good there.

[cracker5947]

i got my e36 rack for 35 dorra at a pick your part!

[Aptyp]

got e36 rack for free at u-pull. Well sorta, they had $40 all you can roll out, and well, I didn't have space in the car for all I could roll out, lol.

[el bob]

LOL! ^That is awesome about the $40

There aren't as many opportunities to hit the junk yards around NYC. I was at the Pick A Part yards all the time in Monrovia, CA, when I was in school. So many good deals!

Jeff, thanks for the heads up on the rack. I think Ryan is working to get one from a seller on these boards in NJ, "bmwparts," who parts a lot of cars. How is the rest of your car coming? You're still in charge of making sure my car doesn't look like shit. I don't have that whole visual eye thingy.

[Stevie30]

I used AT-205 Re-Seal (available at NAPA Auto Parts) on my '91 with 148,000 miles. No more leaks. I followed the directions, removed fluid from reservoir, and added 1/3 bottle of AT-205 Re-Seal before topping off with new fluid. The leak stopped almost immediately after operating lock-to-lock several times. However, the next day the pump started whining but still no leaks. I removed everything from the reservoir and added new fluid only. Now everything works great and still no leaks. A friend told me this would probably happen. He treated his e36 about 10K miles ago and no leaks currently. This will only work on steering rack seals. It will not work on leaking hoses or fittings. Good luck.

[el bob]

Ah, interesting. You have to think though, if it's goo-ey enough to clog the leaks in the rack, what's it doing to the supposed-to-be low friction areas of the pump?

A+ field repair though. I'll probably pick some up and keep it in the Chevy in case the racks go south again.

[mrl325i]

I know this thread is a bit old, but I am trying to locate some of this ATP Re-Seal. NAPA in NY does not carry it. Any ideas? Thanks.