rack doctor ?

[TakiM3]

Absolutely dreadful dealing with them. Last two times I miraculously got Richard on the phone, it's the same old sob story, something about a lot going on, a motorcycle accident, etc. I'm like dude, I appreciate that but get your shizz together or get someone in there that does and stop holding us all hostage while burning down the business. Just a pitiful experience for me, even if this guy is the world's foremost expert on steering racks and was the founder of ZF himself, zero chance I'd recommend this place.

[moatilliatta]

My rack from them has play already. Richard said it was because I swapped out the tire rods... Still no core refund... I called repeatedly until he picked up... Blah Blah, I get you're refund this week.

I think I'm mostly pissed because my old rack had new GENUINE pressure / vent lines that I forgot to take off before sending in. And can't get them back now even though I called and requested they be sent back.

I wish I just kept my core racks... FFFFFF

[TakiM3]

Absolutely over these clowns. Finally answering the phones but same old nonsense every time. "We'll get it handled by the end of the week" BS, then 2 weeks go by and nothing. Just done with this, I shouldn't have to keep trying so hard to get my freaking $ back. $350 is $350, but the principle of it kills me.

[82eye]

I know right now the z3 rack is the most wanted rack, but the difference in 3 turns lock to lock & 2.7 is almost nothing. There are plenty of e46's in the junkyard that make great rack donors. The seal kits are only $50 if you get one that leaks, or want to rebuild first as Sven the newest ones are 16 years old now.
I am rebuilding a green label e36 m rack myself, I destroyed the rack adjuster screw removing it due to it being seized in the rack. So I need to locate a new one. Other than that the rebuild was not difficult, most e46's use a different adjuster screw that will hopefully be easier to remove.

my access to an e46 rack is identical to my access to the z3 rack. no matter what i do i have to source at a distance. i'm at the mercy of the rebuilders regardless of how it's cut. there's no such thing as a bmw parts car anywhere here. they don't even put them in the yards. 100% of bmw wrecks are sold internally to rebuilders before they ever hit the yards.

[Caperix]

I know right now the z3 rack is the most wanted rack, but the difference in 3 turns lock to lock & 2.7 is almost nothing. There are plenty of e46's in the junkyard that make great rack donors. The seal kits are only $50 if you get one that leaks, or want to rebuild first as Sven the newest ones are 16 years old now.
I am rebuilding a green label e36 m rack myself, I destroyed the rack adjuster screw removing it due to it being seized in the rack. So I need to locate a new one. Other than that the rebuild was not difficult, most e46's use a different adjuster screw that will hopefully be easier to remove.

[82eye]

a few of you who have be victims of interstate mail fraud by this dork need to hook up hand send the Sherriff to his house. and find out wtf.

i would have bent him over but i a forum post saw said he had a wife an kids. i chose not to allow our company lawyers to pursue even though they where gung ho on burning some ass hat.

part of the issue is the company projected as larger than they are. even now if you do a generic search you'll find them everywhere. the internet has a way of puffing stuff up past reality like that.(cue all politics lol). for a long period of time everyone pointed to rack doctor as the answer, and they still roll up at the top of a search list they benefitted from. it's how i got pulled in. now it's a double edged axe.

i've already lost the money if that is the outcome. from my limited conversation with them, they struck me as at least sincere. there's no point in indulging in a confrontational stance while they are at least engaging. that attitude may change over time.

[ghostbear777]

a few of you who have be victims of interstate mail fraud by this dork need to hook up hand send the Sherriff to his house. and find out wtf.

i would have bent him over but i a forum post saw said he had a wife an kids. i chose not to allow our company lawyers to pursue even though they where gung ho on burning some ass hat.

[82eye]

this guy is a shit bag. and its nothing new, he still has my rack and my money from years ago. instead of being reasonable he calls me all pissed off at like 10pm. i paid him and he has my parts there isnt anything i could have done to him, he didnt like that i stated his work was what i expected for the price...... the tie rod boots he used are junk, the inner tire rods are junk with no lock rings installed. and i can only assume the seals used are junk too given the warrantied returns locatable on forums from leaks. i assume his price diffrence was due to poor business practices like inappropriate hasmat handling and poor recycling.


find someone else. you can get a 4cyl z3 rack new from some weird vendor that sells on rock auto an the like, i have one its been fine for years.

rock auto won't have one. i've checked. they generally send something generic from china now. are you still chasing rack doctor ? it probably won't mean anything by now, but i'd at least lodge a complaint at their local BBB. i'm hanging on to any communication they sent and logging the phone calls.

it did seem like they were clawing there way back. not much i can do but try be patient for now.

[ghostbear777]

this guy is a shit bag. and its nothing new, he still has my rack and my money from years ago. instead of being reasonable he calls me all pissed off at like 10pm. i paid him and he has my parts there isnt anything i could have done to him, he didnt like that i stated his work was what i expected for the price...... the tie rod boots he used are junk, the inner tire rods are junk with no lock rings installed. and i can only assume the seals used are junk too given the warrantied returns locatable on forums from leaks. i assume his price diffrence was due to poor business practices like inappropriate hasmat handling and poor recycling.


find someone else. you can get a 4cyl z3 rack new from some weird vendor that sells on rock auto an the like, i have one its been fine for years.

[82eye]

I’m still waiting on my rack I ordered from them back in April. They used to answer phones up until a couple months ago, haven’t been able to contact anyone over there since. I know they’ve been relocating shops, and are super backed up. Not really worried about it right now in my case, I have plenty more work to do before the rack swap anyway. Just hoping they still pull through with my the order, as far as I know there’s no other company refurbing racks. Unless you want a TRW or shitty generic equivalent.

holy crap ... april ? i thought i was sweating. you must have saintly patience. i .... don't. least not so much lol. i've at least been able to speak to them recently.

there are other sources, particularly in the US. i also noticed a few of the regular euro suppliers list racks you can order. pricier, not always in stock, but at least you are assured if you do. though it's currently backordered, ecs lists one at $1300. that's assured dielivery when stocked but still a reman. and you still need both inner and outer tie rods. rack doctor sends with the inners.

rack doctor was ok with a refund if it came to that, though we both wanted another solution. i am asking for an upgrade and not a straight rack for core exchange, so it is more likely harder to source. there were far fewer z3's with the rack than e30's built, and the swap is the most popular. if sourcing a donor becomes a nightmare, i'm ok with another solution., they do want to fulfil the original order. i'm alright with periodically checking in, but i won't do bullets over it daily like i had been.

[aavani90]

I’m still waiting on my rack I ordered from them back in April. They used to answer phones up until a couple months ago, haven’t been able to contact anyone over there since. I know they’ve been relocating shops, and are super backed up. Not really worried about it right now in my case, I have plenty more work to do before the rack swap anyway. Just hoping they still pull through with my the order, as far as I know there’s no other company refurbing racks. Unless you want a TRW or shitty generic equivalent.

[82eye]

Called a few times last week.. No answer. Waiting for my initial core deposit..

I sent in some extra cores also and only got $30 a piece, I'm pretty sure I got more last time and felt bad they kept complaining how short cores they were...

they can keep my deposit. i just want the replacement rack. i may keep the original, it's in good shape. i'm doing the z3 upgrade, but it may be a good idea to keep the old one, the shipping alone may make it a moot point. i'm a long ways away.

[moatilliatta]

Called a few times last week.. No answer. Waiting for my initial core deposit..

I sent in some extra cores also and only got $30 a piece, I'm pretty sure I got more last time and felt bad they kept complaining how short cores they were...

[82eye]

good news ... things appear to be getting back on track at rack doctor. spoke to them today. phones are getting answered and there was none of the drama that's been reported elsewhere. the owner was polite and up front about it. he also took the time to discuss the order and make suggestions. very much like the positive response they've been noted for in the past.

it will still take some time, but the company is committed to fulfilling the order or making it right if they can not. i'm gonna hang tough and hope the best for everyone.

[TakiM3]

82eye - I'm in the exact same boat as you. I ordered a garden variety E30 rack for my 91 318is, order placed on 9/12/22. Have called a few times and they said "yours is next up, it should ship out next week" or it goes straight to the VM. SO frustrated right now and $340 lighter. Also feeling scammed. The car is just sitting there on jack stands in my garage for months on end now just waiting for this......