steering rack

#1

My rack is really old and is leaking. These things are big money. Does anyone know a rebuilder? If not where is a reasonable place to get a quality remaned rack? And while we are on the subject of racks, is it legal to steering rack with a quicker ratio?

#2

do you see anything about steering racks in the rules?

#3

Once you disconnect the lines and drain the rack, leaking won’t be a problem anyway.

#4

leggwork,

I don’t make post on this forumn in hope of being told to read the rule book. If you read my post it was more so about a leaking rack and the best way to go about fixing it. I figure talking to racers will give me good information because you guys have more experience than me. If you don’t have useful information please don’t reply to my post. I have skimmed through the rules a few times but I have not memorized them yet. I am not racing I am only doing hpde at this time and se30 is my goal. This forumn is great and there seems to be a lot of talented people out there, please try to be like them.

As for Steve D, being that my car is not a all out race car yet I would like to keep power steering.

#5

If your ultimate goal while doing DE’s is to race in Spec E30, you need to know what is in the rules now, not later. Otherwise you might do something to the car that you’ll have to undo later. On that basis leggwork’s comment is valid, though not what you wanted to hear.

The Cliff Notes version is that a Spec E30 must have the OE steering rack, though the power steering components can be removed. Converting to manual operation will stop the leak and is pretty much the norm on a mostly track or race car, but may not be an ideal solution on a mostly street car that sees occasional track time. Parking is something of a bear with no power assist.

Your options are a new rack (pretty pricey), a rebuilt rack, or used rack from a salvage yard (cheapest). Of those I’d go for a rebuilt as a used rack is something of a roll of the dice. One reasonable source for a rebuilt rack is http://www.rackdoctor.net/

#6

[quote=“E30KDG” post=56043]If you don’t have useful information please don’t reply to my post. I have skimmed through the rules a few times but I have not memorized them yet. [/quote]PS - welcome to Spec E30. There are a lot of guys doing what you are doing - building and daily driving. That would have been good info to post.

Your reply to Leggwork was pretty snarky. Very few have memorized the rules. That is why there is a handy link to the left. If, after reading the rules, something isn’t clear please ask questions. However, if you are too lazy to pull up the PDF and search for “steer”, then you might find yourself being directed to the rules. Lighten up, Francis.

#7

Nah man not trying to be snarky. Just was trying to get some info about steering rack replacement/rebuilds. Wasn’t even concerned about the rules that much but figured I would ask. Maybe an experienced racer would interpret the rule book different than an amature like me. Thanks guys for all your advice. Sorry if I’m a little behind I’m still learning.

#8

sometimes i post from my phone so replies are overly brief … but mostly i am a “teach a man how to fish” type of person.
Good luck building up your car.
bruce

#9

Jim, thanks for the rackdoctor link. I had been wondeering where to purchase.

RP

#10

I got a rebuild kit and redid my rack in maybe 4 hrs. The kit was around $50 at Bimmerparts.com. It replaced all the stuff that can leak. The Rackdoctor prices seem solid though if you are not mechanically inclined. It was interesting breaking down the rack as I now understand how they work.

Attached are two docs I referenced when rebuilding my rack. I got the info from a few different Google searches a while back. They helped get the sequence right for disassemble and were helpful.