IX Steering Rack Replacement / Upgrade?

[Steiner]

I had an inspection done on the car recently and was told the steering rack was leaking. I'm trying to evaluate my options for addressing this issue - whether is it is a reseal, replacement, or upgrade to something out of an E36/E46. I can't seem to find any stock replacements and am not sure if an upgrade to a later model is even possible.

Any insights?

[Eskie]

When mine blew out I found a used one and threw it in. I ordered a seal kit with intentions of rebuilding the blown out one but I haven't yet. There are some pretty good rebuilding guides out there if you don't have any other options.

edit: heres a good one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2M7Q2MkV8A

[nando]

Nothing from the E36 and E46 is going to fit. There's been much discussion about this.

You could send it to a place like rackdoctor and they can rebuild it.

[The Dark Side of Will]

And replacing the rack on an iX is a giant PITA.

[nando]

It's nothing compared to dropping the subframe on an E70 X5

[Steiner]

So - having not found one (obviously), is it worth it to try to re-seal my existing rack or is that just a pain?

[z122643]

remove your rack and send it out to get rebuilt. Should be anywhere between $300-$500. I mean these things are over 20 years old.

By the way, getting the rack out isn't hard... but it sure isn't easy. Enjoy

[nando]

Rebuilding it is an upgrade - in a sense. But even a rebuilt rack is kinda awful - the ix steering isn't as light as the RWD E30s, but the ratio is painfully slow, and the rack certainly lacks good feel (even modern AWD BMWs are better).

Thus the desire for an upgrade - stock ix racks cost enough now that looking for an upgrade makes a lot of sense.

[Steiner]

What kind of rack would you recommend for the upgrade? Something from an xi?

[nrubenstein]

What kind of rack would you recommend for the upgrade? Something from an xi?

There is no upgrade is what he’s saying. He’s lamenting the fact that there is nowhere to go for one.

[nando]

There are options, they just aren't cheap.