Where to find new/rebuilt steering rack?

[IamFODI]

Trying to get a new or rebuilt rack by early June. Tried to get a brand new one but they're out of stock everywhere and ETAs keep getting pushed back (now late June). Rack Doctor's e-store seems to be down and recent reviews suggest they've gone downhill. Some vendors (e.g. FCP Euro) list remans, but they're all either out of stock or >$3k.

Anyone have any leads?

[bigjae46]

I would get a used rack. Don't think its common for racks to have issues. Couldn't find a seal kit that's available, I'm sure someone will sell one at some point. I replaced the pinion seal on my E46 rack, it is still holding up!

[IamFODI]

I would get a used rack. Don't think its common for racks to have issues. Couldn't find a seal kit that's available, I'm sure someone will sell one at some point. I replaced the pinion seal on my E46 rack, it is still holding up!

Yeah, fair point. Looks like used racks are going for $500-$600 all day on eBay.

I agree that these racks seem to be really robust. The wild card is provenance. BMW has an SIB that says the rack should be replaced if there's any damage to the front suspension, and there's no way to know about that from a sale listing (it's too easily faked or erroneous). For this project I really want to minimize the odds of having to repeat the work, so that scares me a little.

[bigjae46]

Yeah, fair point. Looks like used racks are going for $500-$600 all day on eBay.

I agree that these racks seem to be really robust. The wild card is provenance. BMW has an SIB that says the rack should be replaced if there's any damage to the front suspension, and there's no way to know about that from a sale listing (it's too easily faked or erroneous). For this project I really want to minimize the odds of having to repeat the work, so that scares me a little.

Yeah but it depends. More of an issue with electric racks.

[tdott]

If only the input shaft seal is leaking, I think I saw somewhere that the seal can be found and replaced.

But if you need a full rebuild, I am unsure of those parts.

[stephen]

Definitely avoid rackdoctor. I had to dispute through PayPal to get my core charge back.

[IamFODI]

If only the input shaft seal is leaking, I think I saw somewhere that the seal can be found and replaced.

But if you need a full rebuild, I am unsure of those parts.

Def. wanted a full rebuild/replacement. Not having any leaks AFAICT; just some play, plus the tie rods are all original AFAIK, plus want the excuse for a partial front-end refresh.

[IamFODI]

Definitely avoid rackdoctor. I had to dispute through PayPal to get my core charge back.

Sorry to hear that, man. Damn shame how common these stories have become.

[George Hill]

I put a Maval in an E90 M3 a few years ago, seemed ok.

https://mavalgear.com/