rack doctor ?

[Caperix]

I have seen complaints about rack doctor on a few different BMW sites. It is too bad because I had good luck with them years ago when I installed a gold label e46 rack into my e36 m3. The only negative is that they would only give half core credit on the e36 rack.
I ended up keeping that rack & am now attempting to rebuild it myself, the seal kits are only $40 to $50. I have a green label 95 m3 rack that makes things a little difficult because none of the rebuild kits say they work. So far it looks like all the seals in the 96+ kit match up. My adjustment screw is seized into the rack so I have not been able to get the inner rack seal out yet.
When I finish it up I will post some pictures of the rebuild.

[SD-KC]

I used car-part.com. It’s a service to pull parts from wrecking yards like LKQ. Searched the model and had them verify the serial number and send photos. I was looking for a yellow tag e46 rack. Two were in Topeka. I asked for the lower mile rack. Shipped to the local LKQ for no charge. Picked up the next day. First one I put in had a hairline fracture in the body. Returned and exchanged with no questions asked. Worked well for me. I think I paid $125 for my yellow tag rack.

[ZEKTI]

Bought an e36 replacement rack years ago, 0 issues and worked good. Even sent back old one for lifetime or whatever it was at the time. Fast forward to 2019 and bought standard e30 rack from them. Leaked out of the box, said it was my fault essentially and get lost. Thankfully have good friends locally and put in a good used one. Seems like the business/volume over the years got to him. Or just pissed at the world

[moatilliatta]

I’ve been fighting for a core refund for over a month. Fuck em.

I used to try and stand up for them.

[82eye]

they haven't answered any emails or phone calls. they just took my money and fucked off. i'm gonna register a complaint at their local BBB. i see there's tons of angry complaints about them there. if it continues i'll try see how else i can harass the pricks. i just lost my job so i have the time.

[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......

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

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]

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.