[f32christian]

i have a 2015 bmw 428i xdrive
my vin: WBA3N5C50FK198110
i need to replace my steering rack, i just can’t figure out if i have variable sport steering or not. any feedback would be appreciated, i don’t think i do but i’d like to know before i spend the money on a steering rack.

[DreamerJoe]

Have you checked realoem.com? That should have the info your looking for

[visionaut]

If you had VSS, you’d have the Option Code S2VLA associated with your VIN.

[Jimmert]

Seems you don’t have it:

01CA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
01CB CO2 package
0248 Steering wheel heater
0258 Tire with run-flat functionality
02DW BMW LA wheel, Star Spoke 393
02TB Sport automatic transmission
02VB Tire pressure display
0319 Integrated universal remote control
0322 Comfort access
03AG Reversing camera
0403 Glass roof, electrical
0423 Floor mats, velours
0430 Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
0431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
0459 Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
0465 Through-loading system
0488 Lumbar support, driver and passenger
0493 Storage compartment package
0494 Seat heating driver/passenger
04AB Fine wood trim burr walnut
04DM Accent strips, pearl-gloss, chrome
04NE Blow-by heater
0502 Headlight cleaning system
0508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
0521 Rain sensor
0522 Xenon Light
0524 Adaptive Headlights
0534 Automatic air conditioning
0544 Cruise control with brake function
0563 Light package
0575 Supplementary 12V sockets
05DS Emergency release, luggage compartment
0609 Navigation system Professional
0645 BMW US Radio
0655 Satellite tuner
0676 HiFi speaker system
0697 Area-Code 1 for DVD
06AC Intelligent emergency SOS call
06AE Teleservices
06AK Connected Drive Services
06AM Real-Time Traffic Information
06AP Remote Services
06NH Hands-free with USB interface
06WA Instrument cluster, expanded equipment
0823 Hot-climate version
0845 Acoustic belt warning
0853 Language version English
08KL Oil service interval 15,000 km/12 months
08S4 Decoding variable light distribution
08TN Daytime run.lights adjus.via light menu
0925 Dummy-SALAPA
0992 Control of number-plate attachment
0993 model year code in VIN
09AA Outer skin protection
A090 90 AH AGM battery
LEDE Leather trim

[casualDIYer]

I'd do a search for those who did a VSS retrofit. If it is a 1-to-1 swap, there is no fear that if you ended up with a VSS rack you wouldn't be able to put it in the car. My guess is that most rebuilt racks are probably fixed ratio racks. I haven't see a great demand for VSS so rebuilt VSS racks are probably rare. Since there is a change in ratio (steering wheel input angle vs front wheel angle) I would guess there is some programming involved to correctly tell the car what angle the wheels are at. Stability control may use this information in determining how to react to a loss of control situation.

[f32christian]

thanks for all your guys input. i’m pretty sure i don’t have vss, but only concern i have is when i look on realoem.com for my car it shows the steering rack that is for vss according to the site where im buying the new steering rack from. i’m just gonna take my car to my local mechanic shop and have him identify which rack i do have. for now ive just been driving in sport which definitely stiffens my steering a decent amount until i do so.
my problem with my car in the first place is i have a lot of play in the steering and a slight drag to the right. everything else has already been checked and both of my close mechanics have already concluded it’s my steering rack. but i’m just gonna drive in sport which does honestly help a lot with the play or loose feeling in the steering but it does still have the slight drag until i do eventually replace the steering rack. i just know that the electric steering racks have always been a problem with these cars

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by f32christian

thanks for all your guys input. i’m pretty sure i don’t have vss, but only concern i have is when i look on realoem.com for my car it shows the steering rack that is for vss according to the site where im buying the new steering rack from. i’m just gonna take my car to my local mechanic shop and have him identify which rack i do have. for now ive just been driving in sport which definitely stiffens my steering a decent amount until i do so.
my problem with my car in the first place is i have a lot of play in the steering and a slight drag to the right. everything else has already been checked and both of my close mechanics have already concluded it’s my steering rack. but i’m just gonna drive in sport which does honestly help a lot with the play or loose feeling in the steering but it does still have the slight drag until i do eventually replace the steering rack. i just know that the electric steering racks have always been a problem with these cars

Do a Google search on the problem. Loosey-goosey steering is a problem with early versions of the EPS steering rack. Early models used a nylon piston which will degrade over time due to vibration and heat. Later models used a delrin piston, which is more durable. There is also a spring within the piston that gets less 'springy' over time. That needs replacing as well.

To change the piston, BMW has a kit (Genuine BMW Steering Rack Repair Kit 32106891974). Probably going to run about $100. Make sure it includes the magic grease. Don't get creative here. Use the grease for that job. Any sh*t won't do. Plus don't buy some cheap-o knock off kick. Get a real kit from BMW or one of the big online guys (FCP, ECS, etc) selling legit BMW parts. It's your steering. Then you will also need a magic tool to take off the cap of the piston (likely in the kit). WARNING: Don't lose the spring or get confused with the old and new. Old parts out completely. New parts in. Loose any component and . . . you need a new kit. TIP: Clean the area around the piston first. Dirt is not supposed to get inside of it. Use a clean set of gloves on re-assembly.

Follow instructions very carefully when putting the cap back on. Again, an oopsie won't do here.

Despite the hassle, it's going to be a lot cheaper than $800 + 4-6 hrs of labour.

From what you describe, this has a good chance to fix your issue. I swapped it on mine after 5 years.

[f32christian]

casualDIYer
i’ve actually already replaced that bushing bought the tool and everything it did stop the noise that the steering rack made but didn’t stop my loose feeling unfortunately.

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by f32christian

casualDIYer
i’ve actually already replaced that bushing bought the tool and everything it did stop the noise that the steering rack made but didn’t stop my loose feeling unfortunately.

That sucks. Oh well, a rebuilt rack it is then.

Damn!

[rlesko]

So as far as I understand it there are 3 different steering specs-

Base

S216A - Hydro steering-servotronic

S2VFA - Variable sport steering

Based on your VIN, I'm not sure you're looking at the correct steering racks. As previously mentioned, there is a genuine BMW Power Steering Thrust Repair Kit, but it is only applicable for ThyssenKrupp steering racks. Are you sure you have a ThyssenKrupp steering rack, and not a ZF steering rack?

[sspade]

rlesko do you know which rack is installed on vehicles optioned with S216A - Hydro steering-servotronic ?

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by sspade

rlesko do you know which rack is installed on vehicles optioned with S216A - Hydro steering-servotronic ?

I'm not 100% sure what the part number is, but I have this rack on my vehicle and have installed the repair kit from BMW (so it is at least by ThyssenKrupp).

I only even became aware of these differences when I was reading up on the steering rack repair kit install and many people who went to install it realized the kit did not apply to their vehicle (They have ZF rack).

[sspade]

Originally Posted by rlesko

I'm not 100% sure what the part number is, but I have this rack on my vehicle and have installed the repair kit from BMW (so it is at least by ThyssenKrupp).

I only even became aware of these differences when I was reading up on the steering rack repair kit install and many people who went to install it realized the kit did not apply to their vehicle (They have ZF rack).

Interesting, appreciate the feedback. It appears that it could go either way (with which rack you have) given that I'm also equipped with S216A but have the ZF rack. Im basing that on the fact that mine visually has a standard looking nut on the body versus the TK units which have a cap that requires a special 3 pin spanner wrench (or similar tool).

[LA1Z24]

variable sport steering will not work on a used rack without some pretty heavy work. The EEPROM will need to be reset. To get VSS to work, you'll need an FSC code for your VIN number. If the used rack already had a VIN in it (it does because it's used) then any FSC code you obtain will not work, and VSS will not work.

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by sspade

Interesting, appreciate the feedback. It appears that it could go either way (with which rack you have) given that I'm also equipped with S216A but have the ZF rack. Im basing that on the fact that mine visually has a standard looking nut on the body versus the TK units which have a cap that requires a special 3 pin spanner wrench (or similar tool).

You cannot make that assumption. My ThyssenKrupp rack had an e torx nut from factory and I replaced it with the special 3 pronged cap in the BMW repair kit.