rack doctor ?

[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]

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.

[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.

[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 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.

[82eye]

i'm in for over a grand cdn. right when i can't afford to lose it on the build. i'm pretty much skewered if i have to write it off. sinks any hope of doing the upgrade. i'm so fucking glad i didn't do the steering knuckle mod while i waited.

[TakiM3]

So what the hell do we do? Is there any recourse or do we let these f*cking crooks take us like this? I'm so pissed off right now (clearly)

[TakiM3]

My timeline is as follows:



9/12/2022: Placed order for rebuilt E30 steering rack; submitted payment for $340.95 via PayPal

9/29/2022: Called Rack Doctor to get the scoop on the progress: "we're a bit behind, it should go out in the next week"

10/15/2022: Called them again (several times before phone was picked up): "your's is up next, sorry about the delay"

11/2/2022: Called to just cancel the order and get a refund, 5 calls placed throughout the day, no answer or ability to leave a message

11/3/2022: Called 4 times, Rich answers on the 4th time: "So sorry, we will get the refund started"

11/15/2022: Called again and demanded a refund immediately in the next 2 days and an email confirmation: "We will get that to you by Friday"

11/18/2022: Still no refund. Called 5 times, no answer. Started the complaint process on PayPal




Unbelievable that someone can run any sort of business this way, completely unacceptable

[moatilliatta]

I did finally get my refund.

But my rack has play "Because I changed my tie rods"

And wasn't to happy a lot of grit and dirt was painted over with reman sauce.

And quite annoyed I didn't get my rack lines back.. Worth more than the core...

[TakiM3]

I got my refund from PayPal after filing a dispute and escalating it. F this clown. Done with this saga at least

[decay]

yeah, you got buttraped there. sorry that happened to you, man, that's bullshit.

i'll echo someone else's advice to check http://car-part.com/ because i found this looking for a rack for my own Z3:

Power Rack and Pinion, 2.5L-0MI price: $200 stock number: BM00808

D & W Used Cars and Salvage USA-OK(Ada) Request_Quote 580-759-2306 / 800-776-2306

they say it's a fresh rebuild with no miles on it, but absolutely request pictures so you don't have to deal with this again. you've already done the tie rods so just check the alignment once more. i recommend zero toe but not everyone here will agree *smirk*

if that works out, at least you got some of your money back.

[PEZ2]

This is really to bad this is still an issue for you guys. I would have ordered a ZHP gold tag from this guy in April, but my junkyard junkie brother convinced me to my “pull my own” regretted that decision for months until I found what I was looking for. Now considering your dilemma I should thank him….but I won’t. Ended up with several good choices and put a standard e46 330i purple tag in Hope you get your money back soon. Below is a gold tag, bagged up for storage.

[82eye]

i'm pretty much on the hook as i have no way to source other than import. holding off til after christmas then i'll try contact again.

[82eye]

so a quick update....

rack doctor is fubar. they didn't even try to fulfil my order. the bbb has dropped their accreditation and can't respond or help to any more complaints about them. they took me for $1400 cdn. gonna make it my life mission to harass them online now.

[peytonracer4]

Could be worth suing them at this point. File a small claims court suit.