[mrbensam]

Whats the best way to go about replacing my steering rack?

After mounting a kerb going pretty quick I've been having issues with my rack.

There's no way I'm paying 2 - 3 grand for a new one.

Where should I buy a used rack from? Most of the ebay listings have bent tie rods hanging off them so I don't want to order one of those.

I've seen a company called western power steering apparently sells refurbished ones. Has anyone gone down this route before?

https://shop.westernpowersteering.co.uk/bmw/bmw-3-series-electric-steering-rack-f30-f31-f34-diesel-tkp-sport.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://<a href="https://shop.western...sport.html</a>

I'm aware the new rack will need coding etc.

Thanks.

[Allworth]

Who will be installing a new rack?
I would buy any rack off ebay for a reasonable price that was taken off a write offs thinking it would be in a very similar condition as one had prior hitting the kerb bearing mileage in mind.
Buy £25 bushing repair kit depending if it's TK rack, or make some adjustment after installation if it's ZF rack.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by mrbensam

Whats the best way to go about replacing my steering rack?

After mounting a kerb going pretty quick I've been having issues with my rack.

There's no way I'm paying 2 - 3 grand for a new one.

Where should I buy a used rack from? Most of the ebay listings have bent tie rods hanging off them so I don't want to order one of those.

I've seen a company called western power steering apparently sells refurbished ones. Has anyone gone down this route before?

https://shop.westernpowersteering.co.uk/bmw/bmw-3-series-electric-steering-rack-f30-f31-f34-diesel-tkp-sport.html" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="https://shop.western...sport.html</a>

I'm aware the new rack will need coding etc.

Thanks.

Why do you think the rack needs to be replaced; have you said that because you know it's definitely a rack issue; or just guessing?

Have you replaced any of the bent arms/inner tie rods/track rod ends etc after you're connection with the kerb?

[TurboWeasel]

I've had good experience with Power Racks Direct in the past if you go down the refurbished route.

[mrbensam]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Why do you think the rack needs to be replaced; have you said that because you know it's definitely a rack issue; or just guessing?

Have you replaced any of the bent arms/inner tie rods/track rod ends etc after you're connection with the kerb?

Yeah mate I’ve replaced the tie rods inner and outer. When we put a spanner on the rack teeth there is a shit ton of play, maybe that’s normal but I doubt it.

I’ve got all 4 front arms that I’m gonna replace this weekend.

When you put the wheel straight on alignment rack the trackings straight, as soon as you drive it the wheel is off to the left. Had 2 different places try to get it right a couple times each, but it’s always the same result.

Also done the rack repair kit which got rid of the knock over bumps and improved the steering feel a bit. Handling feels terrible compared to before the kerb strike.

Also when on the motorway on long sweeping bends the wheel doesn’t centre it just stays at like 10 o clock if you take your hands off the wheel. Also must not be normal?

It’s not an overtightened rack bush either, because I’ve tried backing it off to see if it makes any difference.

Leaves me to think the rack is knackered. Can’t see what else it could be?

[Allworth]

Originally Posted by mrbensam

Yeah mate I’ve replaced the tie rods inner and outer. When we put a spanner on the rack teeth there is a shit ton of play, maybe that’s normal but I doubt it.

I’ve got all 4 front arms that I’m gonna replace this weekend.

When you put the wheel straight on alignment rack the trackings straight, as soon as you drive it the wheel is off to the left. Had 2 different places try to get it right a couple times each, but it’s always the same result.

Also done the rack repair kit which got rid of the knock over bumps and improved the steering feel a bit. Handling feels terrible compared to before the kerb strike.

Also when on the motorway on long sweeping bends the wheel doesn’t centre it just stays at like 10 o clock if you take your hands off the wheel. Also must not be normal?

It’s not an overtightened rack bush either, because I’ve tried backing it off to see if it makes any difference.

Leaves me to think the rack is knackered. Can’t see what else it could be?

No, is not normal. All cars are pulled to the left slightly due to slope on the roads, but what you describe looks excessive.
Overtightened bush would result in a steering being stiff and hardly returning to a center position by itself.
I'd guess if there is a good response in steering, without any free movement whilst driving is definitely worth checking other parts of suspension.

[mrbensam]

Originally Posted by Allworth

No, is not normal. All cars are pulled to the left slightly due to slope on the roads, but what you describe looks excessive.
Overtightened bush would result in a steering being stiff and hardly returning to a center position by itself.
I'd guess if there is a good response in steering, without any free movement whilst driving is definitely worth checking other parts of suspension.

Yeah exactly mate. When I first installed the repair kit, I put it flush to the rack. Was too tight and steering wouldn’t centre by itself.

Half a turn looser and it was fine. I’ve tried it even looser to see if it stopped the binding but it didn’t make a difference.

[TurboWeasel]

I would do the arms first as they can just as easily cause sluggish self centering as a bad rack, as can knackered dampers.

Don't forget to inspect the rear chassis components as well as they also have an influence on the steering.